available on
09/03/2022
documentary film, 64 minutes
a Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg production,
supported by the German Embassy, Abuja
Germany 2020
trailer
OFFICIAL TRAILER
language: English
© Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg
edited by: Tobias Wilhelmer
OTHER TRAILER VERSIONS
language: German
RTHK trailer
language: Cantonese
edited by: Radio Televison Hongkong
language: Spanish
DW trailer
language: English
edited by: Deutsche Welle
synopsis
In terms of the number of productions, Nigerian Nollywood is considered the "second largest film industry in the world" (UNESCO) - after Indian Bollywood, but ahead of Hollywood. The industry is based in the port metropolis of Lagos and is known for quickly produced low-budget films. However, in recent years, Nollywood has seen major changes. On the one hand, the Internet enables cost-effective worldwide distribution, on the other hand, numerous new multiplex cinemas are springing up in Africa's megacities. A turbulent dynamic has been set in motion, making Lagos a playground for adventurers chasing their dreams.
Born in Berlin, Bastian Gotter experienced the miracle of his career as a start-up entrepreneur in Nollywood: it began with a few films on YouTube and led to the founding of the company now considered the 'Netflix of Africa'. Director Abba Makama dreams of a pan-African cinematic movement and creates exceptional reference works. Producer and filmmaker Don Omope is one of many British Nigerians who have recently returned to their country: "We are here to become the Tarantinos and Steven Spielbergs of Nigeria."
filmstills
© Johannes Preuss / Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg
distribution
international distribution
by Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg
and Rushlake Media
FESTIVALS
SWR Doku Festival 2018, Stuttgart, Germany | screened in a rough cut version in a joint screening with GALAMSEY
Out of Africa International Film Festival 2020, Nairobi, Kenya | official selection
German International Ethnographic Film Festival (GIEFF) 2020, Göttingen, Germany | official selection
Bayelsa International Film Festival (biff), Yenagoa, Nigeria | official selection
TELEVISION
broadcasted by Deutsche Welle
in a 43 minute version
in three language versions: English, German and Spanish
in 2020/2021
broadcasted by Radio Television Hong Kong
in a Cantonese language version
in 2020
VIDEO ON DEMAND
available on Netflix
on 09/03/2022
available on Sooner
now!
available on South African based streaming service Showmax
in 2020/2021
DVD/ BLURAY
distributed on DVD by LinguaVideo
in a 45 minute English language version of the documentary
for use in school lessons, mainly for English classes in German high-schools
POSTER
© Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg
poster image: Abayomi Akande
poster design: Tobias Frei
credits
protagonists
written & directed by
producer
cinematography
editor
music
title music recorded with
orchestra conducted by
narrated by
boom operator
sound postproduction
motion- & titeldesign
animation
color grading
supervising lecturer
support Goethe-Institut, Lagos
Bastian Gotter
Ijeoma Grace Agu
Abba Makama
Don Omope
Daniel Oriahi
Sheibu Husseini
among others
Johannes Preuss
Johannes Preuss & Mark Szilagyi
Johannes Preuss & Abayomi Akande
Tobias Wilhelmer
Max Clouth
Filmorchester Babelsberg
Jörg Iwer
Christian Baumann (German version)
Opas Onucheyo
Robin Harff & Thomas Rother
Tobias Frei
Mario Bertsch
Martin Mikosch
Günter Myrell
Derin Ajao
production pictures
© Johannes Preuss & Abayomi Akande
JOHANNES PREUSS
Documentary Film
Impressum