The Top 5 Best Actresses In Nollywood 2014

By Charles Novia

As 2014 comes to an end, I and a few professional critics, keeping to the criteria we used last year, have drawn up a list once again for 2014. We watched quite a number of films which were considered outstanding and through a professional process of elimination, shortlisted names were finally arrived at.

May I state here that these actresses on this list have been judged on universal  templates for acting and not on what I term ‘perceived popularity’on red carpets, social media or feisty fan clubs. There is a clear difference between being an overt socialite with tepid performances in afterthought movies ‘just to be relevant’ and wholeheartedly taking the business of acting seriously.

Yoruba Ladies Have the Biggest Butts - Charles Novia

Charles Novia is a veteren Nollywood filmmaker and culture critic, and in one of his recent essays, he focuses on women's backsides around the world. He says international stars who have big butts can hold no candle to African women who are naturally endowed since the curves of foreign stars are usually artificially enhanced.

He explains that Nicki Minaj, Kim Kardashian and Jennifer Lopez should be jealous of Mercy Johnson, Yvonne Okoro and a lot of African women – especially Yoruba women. He didn't mention Omotola but I think she's a great example, lol...Read his piece below...

Charles Novia Compares Omotola Vs Genevieve, Congratulates Nollywood On National Honors

Congratulations to the Nollywood recipients of the Nigerian National Awards which took place today in Abuja. Kenneth Nnebue, Joke Silva and Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde were each given National Honours by President Jonathan today.

Kenneth Nnebue is generally acknowledged as the founder of the home video industry in Nigeria which later snowballed into Nollywood. His epoch - making movie 'Living in Bondage' which he Executive Produced in 1992 generated the unleashing of creative spirits in Nigeria who followed his footsteps and used the affordable home video technology to exhibit their gifts.

Charles Novia, Joselyn Dumas, Yvonne Nelson Denounce #ALSIceBucketChallenge By African Celebs

When I posted about the Nigerian celebrities jumping on the wagon of the #ALSIceBucketChallenge here, I expressed surprise that not one of them thought to create a challenge for Ebola awareness, Cancer, or any cause of their choice. Rather, it was copy copy all the way.

Now some of their colleagues are speaking out. And their complaints range from lack of drinking water in Africa, to reminders of real African diseases that need charity funding.

Yvonne Nelson, Charles Novia and Joselyn Dumas have slammed the lack of introspection that made stars like Genevieve Nnaji, Don Jazzy, Peter PSquare, Davido, and Iyanya, take part in the #icebucketchallenge.

See their social media comments below...

Many People in Nigeria Are Manic But Don’t Know It - Charles Novia Writes On Depression

In his latest blog post, Charles Novia writes on the death of actor Robin Williams, who reportedly committed suicide due to severe depression, noting that mental illness sometimes goes hand in hand with creativity. The filmaker also makes reference to legendary Nigerian reggae musician, Majek Fashek, who he says is currently battling with depression.

Read what he said below:

I was having a conversation a day before Robin Williams’ suicide with my daughter, Nosa, about Majek Fashek and how I managed him and his career for 6 years (2005-2011) and released his hit album ‘Little Patience’ on my label, November Records.

When she saw visuals of how handsome and vibrant Majek used to look and his recent visuals of his emaciated and scraggly look, she was touched and pained. Especially when I told her that Majek is battling with a form of depression and other ‘spiritual’ stuff he has openly confessed to in some media interviews.

Amaka Igwe Lives - Charles Novia Writes Touching Tribute to Late Film Producer

Amaka Igwe lives. The tears we shed for her are futile. She lives. The shock we express over her passing on is carthatic. She lives. Amaka Igwe did not die. She just built her loving ‘house of commotion’ in our hearts. Commotion with co-relation; commotion with emotions.

Charles Novia's Best Five Nollywood Actresses

By Charles Novia

I watched a number of films this year and as many as were being churned out in all the zones, I had to pin-point my search to specifics. As a filmmaker, with many years of experience to my credit, I know good acting when I see it. Acting is inborn while talent is general but depth in acting is few among actors. And so, my blog has decided to award and possibly reward actors with citations and accolades for their art in a preceding and current year. I and my editorial staff think this will be a good and unbiased reward system.

Charles Novia Reviews The African Movie Academy Awards

"Charles, you know you have to write a review about this year’s AMAA or you will be seen as biased, not after you have reviewed the AMVCA" a prominent Film Maker said to me as we arrived Yenogoa by road.

I had already made up my mind weeks before to do such, even if I was in a somewhat precarious position; my movie ‘Alan Poza’ was nominated in two categories . If we didn’t win anything ( and eventually we didn’t) some might misconstrue my review as ‘sour grapes’ rather than the honest and unbiased opinion I have chosen to write.

‘Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn’, says Clark Gable in the movie ‘Gone with the Wind’ and I align with his phrase.

With all sense of propriety, I will not in anyway compare the two awards. That is left for the viewers and readers to do but I will only make appropriate objective commentaries as witnessed by me.

The show started with a group of dancers who gave a good account of themselves in their choreography of the AMAA theme song. The dancers captured the essence of Africa in their dance and the theme song itself had a pulsating multi-African feel to the mix. This was followed by a brief reel of late Nollywood actors who passed on in the last year.