By Fred Iwenjora

While Nigeria movies and its stakeholders are enjoying a road show in London to celebrate its growth and escapades, strong indications are that this current celebration of Nollywood, the Nigerian movie industry as the third largest and fastest growing movie industry in the world after Hollywood and Bollywood will soon be a thing of the past considering the latest discovery that a website operated by a certain Devace Nigeria, an arm of Devace Inc. USA and indeed several other websites show the latest Nollywood films free of charge even before their release in Nigeria to those who want to watch them.

All you need to get into any film of your choice is just a click away. And it is on a full TV window which could be dubbed by any one who cares.

When attention was called to the new development, it was very difficult to believe that such a thing exists now that movie makers of Nigerian stock are seeking alternative ways of turning around the fortunes of the industry especially in the area of quality production and distribution.

Just click on video.OnlineNigeria.com or afrovision.tv.com and you are tuned to a very clear version of any film of your choice including the very latest ones like Caught in the Middle, 100 Days in the Jungle etc.

Dealers on Nigerian films in Europe started seeing their business fall as latest consignments of their movies remain stuck in their shops"

Dupe Mojisola Ajudua is the Managing Director of Elegance Afro Beauty World and video shop based in Heidelberg, Germany where she also runs the business of marketing Nigerian films.

According to her, the shop is filled to the brim by those who also want to enjoy the show but now the story is different. "Almost 1000 visitors come into my shop asking for Nigerian movies but the number started dwindling and that was when I smelt a rat. The number of movies I bought from my suppliers in Nigeria and elsewhere reduced drastically. When I stumbled upon the site I was shocked to the marrows. I would wish that Nigerian government does something drastic about this before their only means of cultural imperialism dies an unnatural death."

Omo Otas Goddy, the Managing Director of Classic Boutique, Essen is not left out in the barrage of fire trailing this website. According to him the existence of this website is "a let-down on AMP". He wondered why the guild leadership should fold their arms and watch things go bad like that with others reaping the fruits of their labour.

Says the man whom many prefer to call Baba Gulf " We all decided that we should buy from the right source rather than pirate the movies because it would never pay Nigerian movie makers and see what these people have done.

The federal Government should do some thing fast to stem this rip off. I call upon the Federal Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, National Orientation Agency, Nigerian Film Corporation, The National Film and Video Censors Board and of course the EFCC to set up an investigation to stop this nonsense."

For Sidney Ononogbu of U Class Video shop in Mannheim, Germany, the story is same as he complains that the number of VCDs and DVDs of Nigerian movies have so much reduced.

Isaac Izoya, script writer, actor, producer, show promoter and distributor of African movies all over Europe says"this website is Nollywood cemetery and nothing more than that. The day I saw this website, I wept openly because it is the only way of killing and burying Nollywood.

Other websites I have seen only show you trailers of the movies which you now order if you so wish. But this one is what I cannot understand. You just click and you are watching any Nigerian movie you so desire even before it is released. If it is released somebody tells you ooh it is old film I have watched it long ago. I have notified Zeb Ejiro and Madu Chikwendu and other media outlets in Nigeria.

I also notified Paul Obezele, the new President of Association of Movie Producers, AMP. None of these people have replied to say they saw what I sent them via email and SMS. I foresee a free fall of Nollywood as all the African video shops in Europe are folding up on a daily basis. Over hundred of them I know have closed down. Several of them that receive films from me now say no and if nothing is done and urgently too, the end of Nollywood is knocking at the door because it is easier in Europe to connect to the internet than obtaining a new GSM line in Nigeria so every one is watching all Nigerian movies free of charge.

We plead for the Nigerian EFCC to wade into these so as to protect our cultural heritage. Sunday Omobude of Easy World, Amsterdam, Holland, a major distributor of Nollywood movies has been crying over the major rip-off and explains that he used to order for over 8,000 copies of latest movies from Nigeria for distribution all over Europe every week.

"Now I can only take 1,500 because very few shops buy from me. They all say that the market has so much dropped. Even the ones I received from Lagos are still dumped in my stores."

Ramsey Nuoah who just returned to Nigeria after a successful tour of Europe courtesy of Ehizoya Golden Entertainment also describes the website as "a big rip-off of Nollywood"

Home Video People investigation exposes the fact that it may be in a bid to outsell each other and of course discover new marketing out lets in an industry that lacks better organisation for production and distribution that Nollywood marketers make these films available to the organizers of the website who make millions of Naira, dollars and Euro in the process because any click on the Google advert links on the pages yield so much for the hosts or organizers of the website.

It is also gathered that the site which is hosted by Naijahost was developed by "Devace Nigeria, a branch of Devace Inc, USA to provide useful information about Nigeria and create a community where Nigerians can interact..

Their brief introduction on the internet say "Today, there are more than 30,000 members using the OnlineNigeria.com portal and services in 45 different countries around the world. Our members have consistently rated our portal and services 5 stars in independent surveys.

Monthly, OnlineNigeria.com receives more than 700,000 visitors….. They also say that it was "established in 1998 to give a face (pictures) on everything Nigeria. We have since grown into other aspects of information exchange"
The questions begging for answers are numerous. Who gives the organizers the films to show on the web?

Where are they based? (there are unconfirmed reports that they are based in Holland. Some other people have also said they are in Port Harcourt Nigeria). Are these people Nigerians? If they are Nigerians, are they happy destroying their own industry? How many Americans can do this to other Hollywood films?

There is a strong belief that the EFCC can trace these people easily if they want to. Would they have the willingness to do this? The earlier they do something, the better for Nigeria.

VANGUARD

 

This is why I am very nervous about marketing my movie in Nigeria. I haven't found a good solution to the piracy issue. I have visited some of these sites but never watched the movies to completion, a big reason being I like to watch my movies on bigger platform than a windows media screen and two the download quality is poor and three I never buy pirated films and usually if someone has it I don't borrow.

I am not being overly righteous just that I am a filmmaker and I know how many hours, energy and time it takes to make a movie and I want to believe if I do what is right then God will reward me by my personal labors not being in vain - karma if you will.

Who knows this might be a blessing in disguise. Maybe filmmakers will start looking at exporting their films to an internatioanl audience to make a profit and to do that quality will have to improve.

Our govt is too slow and uninvolved. It's a pity. This is not a personal thing to nollywood but a nigerian problem as a whole. When was the last time the govt involved itself in anything the common man did and I am talking about inventions, innovative projects etc?

I remember when I was in secondary school we would have science fairs and the winners in each state would take their inventions to lagos for a grande showing and exhibition of their work. Some people had brilliant projects and ideas but the govt never cared and these dreams died.

Well, we'll see what happens to nollywood.

By the way someone told me that movies sell for 150naira on the streets, is that so?

This is why I am very nervous about marketing my movie in Nigeria
This is rubbish talk, my dear madam. The people uploading and downloading Nigerian movies on the Internet are not in Nigeria.

Do you know how many hours it takes to download a 30 minute show over a dial-up connection? Well, as long as that is, it's nothing compared to the time it takes to upload an entire movie to the Internet over an unreliable naija dial-up connection. So this is not the issue at all.

Pompom for example can hardly post on Internet forums because of the slow connection speed, how can she watch movies online? Come on, guys.

The real issue is that I can get a DVD containing 8 big budget Hollywood movies for 300 Naira. Why would anyone want to buy a low-budget Nigerian movie for 450 Naira? Why would anyone want to pay for part 1, part 2 when you can watch 8 $100 million films for 450 Naira? That is the real issue.

I'd rather have people pirating my movies (if any) than pirating other peoples' movies. At least I'll be getting some brand recognition. Let's face it, the movies Nigerians are producing are not even worth pirating. Sorry to say. You guys should face that issue and stop getting worried over films that are supposedly available on the Internet.

If I want to download films from the Internet, I would not download any of these useless Nigerian movies. I would download blockbusters. If I'm going to spend one to two weeks downloading a movie, it had better be an Oscar award winner. Not another uninspired Nigerian film with no plot. :sterb003:

I'm trying to make the forum lively by being a bit provocative. Hope it works...

I'm trying to make the forum lively by being a bit provocative. Hope it works...

Yes it works because you are such an ignorant knock head who is parmanently confused that you may never understand the purpose of a thread! Did you ever take any examination in your life? How were you able to read through simple instructions before aswering questions that follow? Oh, man! You must be a huge throw up! Etteh must be your twin sister. How dare you call someone´s post rubbish talk becaus that is the only way you can make the forum lively? You have pap for brains, Seun. If only you have an idea how much it cost Nollywood producers (financially, physically and psychologically) to come up with a TRASHY film! If only you know what these helpless and innocent Nigerians go through to succeed in making a film! Oh, if only your Pun?k@$$ Mu%§"/er know how many people that can now feed because there is a concept called Nollywood! If only that cocnut cavity housing a tiny drop of cockroach vomit you call brain may ever work, I doubt if you will deviate this ONLINE armed robbery discussed on this thread into some lively $h/t and heap insults upon the films these guys have managed to come out with inspite of no assistance! Now, how´s that for provocative?

Even if you're trying to be provocative, you chose the wrong forum and the wrong topic to attempt it, Seun. You see, the problem with those who think like you is that they have no idea of history. Hollywood and Bollywood were both rejected stones for several years after they started and only thugs and the mob and other folks looking to clean up their ill-gotten loot ventured into it. And it was all about returns too, so many of the movies were just as crappy.

Nigerian movies have their issues today, but the fact remains that they manage to create jobs for 1000s across Africa and the Diaspora. They inspire many more! You have no idea how many Africans from the Continent that are here in America today shooting movies just because they see what the guys in Naija are doing and think they can do better. These folks would never have moved on to the next level if Nollywood hadn't pushed them. And that's not counting the 1000s of people the movies are feeding in the Diaspora selling these movies to an available audience.

So, to rubbish such a vast enterprise in the name of controversy? Wrong topic. Why? Because idiots like these guy can single-handedly bring everything down in a matter of months or weeks.

True though, his patrons are in the West, not in Nigeria and as much as we try to educate them to avoid places like this, enough will not get our campaign and will continue to patronise the sites. Its a shame though that the boys have no proper representation in the West to close this site down. And there is too much unnecessary in-fighting over peanuts when the real money outside is being filtered away...

As for this site, it is a little ahead of its time. The filmmakers in Nigeria don't have the time or web connection to hang around online discussing the business. They're physically doing it instead. And those of us abroad are so scattered and busy in our own way to have time to stay here so long. But it is a dream I hope will catch on sooner than later, even as video film making grows across Africa (You know there is no such forum anywhere online addressing the special needs of the African filmmaker?). Other countries will join, real practitioners, not only aspiring actors who have no idea what it means to "act". That's why I keep the site up. It isn't costing me that much extra anyway, since I already have the servers in place for the other places. So, while I understand as a fellow webmaster what you're trying to do (and you probably are a busy man in your own way, with a big site like you run), this is just not the kind of place or focus for overnight growth. I'm not in a hurry anyway. Its time will come (maybe when I devote more time to it, that will help too!).

This is rubbish talk, my dear madam. The people uploading and downloading Nigerian movies on the Internet are not in Nigeria.

Do you know how many hours it takes to download a 30 minute show over a dial-up connection? Well, as long as that is, it's nothing compared to the time it takes to upload an entire movie to the Internet over an unreliable naija dial-up connection. So this is not the issue at all.

Pompom for example can hardly post on Internet forums because of the slow connection speed, how can she watch movies online? Come on, guys.

The real issue is that I can get a DVD containing 8 big budget Hollywood movies for 300 Naira. Why would anyone want to buy a low-budget Nigerian movie for 450 Naira? Why would anyone want to pay for part 1, part 2 when you can watch 8 $100 million films for 450 Naira? That is the real issue.

I'd rather have people pirating my movies (if any) than pirating other peoples' movies. At least I'll be getting some brand recognition. Let's face it, the movies Nigerians are producing are not even worth pirating. Sorry to say. You guys should face that issue and stop getting worried over films that are supposedly available on the Internet.

If I want to download films from the Internet, I would not download any of these useless Nigerian movies. I would download blockbusters. If I'm going to spend one to two weeks downloading a movie, it had better be an Oscar award winner. Not another uninspired Nigerian film with no plot. :sterb003:

No, it didn't work. Truth hurts. I wonder why this forum exists anyway. :comp26:

No, it didn't work. Truth hurts. I wonder why this forum exists anyway. :comp26:


Don't you EVER, EVER insult me in the name of trying to be provocative again? Nothing in our interaction (if that exist) gives you the audacity to insult me. You don't know me personally and probably never will.

If you have something to say then intelligently say it without the insults added. It makes you sound immature and unworthy of being regarded professionally.

So next time state your points and clearly and leave it at that. If you feel you can not do so then refrain from ever responding to a thread I bring up. This is not the first time you have done this but let it be the last. We are professional filmmakers and you never know where any of us might be tomorrow in our professions. So present yourself as a professional or not at all.

This is the mildest I will get.

No, it didn't work. Truth hurts. I wonder why this forum exists anyway. Dear Seun, you just lost the last bit of respect I have for you with that statement. You don't seem to process these things before you spit them out... Oh well, when you're done making your first movie, business man that you consider yourself, and you have handed it out to everyone online and off free, we can continue with this debate. Right now, you still don't get it. As for the forum's existence, scroll up a couple of posts.

No, it didn't work. Truth hurts. I wonder why this forum exists anyway. :comp26:

And you think I am surprised? When your brain has refused to work! Last time I checked you were sure this forum is to provoke people after raining insults and not posting any single comment that may make any little sense to a six year old. Now you are wondering! whenever you figure out the essence of this forum let me know so I will conduct some IQ test to see how much is still remaining there! Go and make a film, even a 3-second clip with your mobile phone. That´s why the forum exists ANYWAY.

@Sola: I don't need your respect. I need this forum to be active. Instead of discussing filmmaking, we only post articles written by alarmists and activists. I run a very large Nigerian forum, so I have an idea of what makes a forum active. If we all hold the same opinions, there will be nothing to discuss, which is boring. If you guys are making movies, then at least post framegrabs!

@filmmaker: actually, I meant every word. What you said really was rubbish talk. Online piracy ko, online piracy ni. I was just being nice by pussyfooting.

@rudeboy: I've probably made more movies than you, so stop ruding me.

@Sola: I don't need your respect. I need this forum to be active. Instead of discussing filmmaking, we only post articles written by alarmists and activists. I run a very large Nigerian forum, so I have an idea of what makes a forum active. If we all hold the same opinions, there will be nothing to discuss, which is boring. If you guys are making movies, then at least post framegrabs!How about we start with your movie screen captures? Your responses to this thread is a waste of my time. Worry about your forum. Leave mine alone. I will stop there before I start typing at your level of thought and discourse displayed here.

@rudeboy: I've probably made more movies than you, so stop ruding me.

Putin just warned: a madman is running around with razor blade!

Na wa o!Seun abeg take am easy o!This place does not need this kind of drama.

Seun, which movies have u produced? Pls i think u should let us know.

Sitcom.

We have been trying to shut down OnlineNigeria for a while, and every day our coalition gets closer. I was so happy to see this well written article published here.

Just so everybody knows, OnlineNigeria is being hosted at FDCServers.net. They are a hosting company in Chicago, IL.

We have contacted FDC, and the only way we can shut down this website, is for a copyright holder to hire a lawyer, and send a cease and desist letter to abuse@fdcservers.net. This is the _only_ way they will consider taking any action.

Fortunately we have gotten support from a couple of producers and various legitimate websites, but we need more to help us! If you are interested, please email nollyprotector AT yahoo DOT com.

@ Nollyprotector,

I appreciate the move. Personally I conducted a little investigation and figured out the location of the culprits. These people can be seriously dealt with, they can be made a scapegoat so that other brain dead retrogressive ignorant Mu%$#@!s will hold aloof!

I am down on the ground and if there's anything you guys thing I can do, hit me up, I am willing to assist in bringing them down BY ANY MEANS NECESSARY.

It is rather disturbing that aspiring Naija producers/directors are of the opinion that Nigerian films are 'crap' and those involved are not worthy of any financial compensation. I don't have a problem with this opinion as long as you make your movie and hand em out absolutely free of charge.

When you sit back and consider the sharp contrast between the hurdles of film making in Nigeria and a country like USA, you'd give the Nigerian producers two thumbs up (and two toes up!). I know some of them do not care much about the art of film making and are usually quick to lean on the stumbling blocks for excuse, but for the sake of the few who do, we got to give them credit by not encouraging people to steal their hard work!

I was working on a 5 minute video and despite my access to 24 hr power supply and heavily 'spiced' quad core and dual core systems, I found myself dealing with hair splitting frustrations. Imagine adding epileptic power supply and all the other inconveniences one has to deal with in Nigeria! It would be almost impossible for me to function in Nigeria even with all my high-tech gears! The thought of getting stuck in Naija with all the frustration that film makers have to go through gives me goose bumps. It is worse if you know what you want and you are out to get the best results. Frustration alone will be the death of you! Only extraordinary tough people can stand the heat that is Naija film making.