Self-taught Nigerian filmmakers use sci-fi to tell stories on their own terms
Video: BBC Africa
A group of teenage, self-taught, Nigerian filmmakers made waves around the internet a few years ago for their ingenuity and resourcefulness. Using a borrowed smartphone, makeshift tripod and a strip of cloth for a green screen, the Critics Company produced their first short sci-fi film in 2016. Battling power cuts, unpredictable connectivity and a lack of funding, the Critics continued to hone their craft through Youtube tutorials on visual effects, and found creative ways to produce short films in their hometown of Kaduna, Nigeria.
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“The target we aim for in the years to come is to make the biggest films in Nigeria and probably beyond,” said Godwin Josiah, Lead Script Writer at the Critics Company. “We want to do something great, something that has not been done before.”
Their viral shorts soon garnered the attention of Nollywood director Kemi Adetiba, who helped draw attention to their work and spearheaded a fundraising effort. Since their early success, the Critics have continued to create, upgrading their equipment thanks to their growing global support, but always staying true to their roots.
A consistent fan and supporter, Adetiba soon called on the Critics and gave them an opportunity to gain even more exposure to Nollywood’s multi-million dollar industry, working on the Netflix original film King of Boys that was produced by her production studio Kemi Adetiba Visuals.
"Growing up, we consumed a lot of western content and realized the Africa we see is not the one we live in,” said Ridwan Abdullateef, a Producer at the Critics Company. “We see ourselves landing on the moon, exploring space travel and solving climate change - we have to shift the narrative to inspire people like us, the next generation who'll take over after we are long gone."
The Critics’ trajectory continues to trend upwards as they gain more exposure and work experience, telling stories on their own terms, and making strides in the Nigerian film industry and beyond.
Image: The Critics via CNN.com
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