Nollywood director Damilola Orimogunje has expressed the need for Nollywood to make less comedies and more films about history and society; given the violent turn that the #EndSARS protests took at the intervention of the government.
According to Orimogunje, now is the time for Nollywood filmmakers to quite making comedy films. “This is the time to make socially conscious films”, he tweeted on Thursday, October 22.
“Enough of the comedy bullshit. We have to fight the system with art or whatever we know how to do best”.
Orimogunje, who directed For Maria and Losing My Religion; recognized that comedy serves as a good distraction in the midst of hardship. However, he emphasized the importance of documenting our controversial history; which the government wants to deny and erase.
“I get it. We need comedies to take a break from the daily depression. But let’s balance the art we put out. We can’t only pay attention to one genre (artists & audience),” he said. “Last time I check Life is Beautiful & Parasite are as entertaining as much as they are impactful & successful”
Orimogunje is not the only one with such concerns. Renowned film director Kunle Afolayan recently revealed his interest in making a film based on the shooting of unarmed, peaceful protesters on October 20.
A day before that, Jade Osiberu, the maker of Isoken and Sugar Rush tweeted that the shocking events will not be forgotten as films will be made.