Cameroon's Petit Pays features in the blockbuster movie: "The Dark Zone"

The Dark Zone is another interesting movie produced Anglophone Cameroonians in the Diaspora. It is an action-thriller that relates a story of romance, crime and mafia - starring Simon El Junior, Maria Goretti, Diana I. Also guest starring superstars: Samantha, Asamor and one of Africa's eligible and successful recording artist, Cameroonian-born Petit Pays. The Dark Zone is a "city of danger" that brings to light some of dirty games Africans get themselves entangled in abroad. The movie is directed and produced by the talented Ntoh Yuh Jude.

"Hard cash soon turns into hard times...the hunter soon become the prey. Two worlds are about to collide but only one will survive!" are the catchy phrases that can almost take your breath away as you watch a trailer of The Dark Zone. To view the movie trailer, click on the following web link: The Dark Zone.

Cameroonian-Nigerian movie decries female genital mutilation, breast-ironing and forceful betrothal into early marriages

November 03, 2007

The Blues Kingdom:

Nigerian movie decries female genital mutilation, breast-ironing and forceful betrothal into early marriages

By Akere Maimo

Movie lovers were treated to a spectacular soiree of a movie, launched at the Yaoundé Hilton Hotel on the evening of Saturday, October 26, 2007. After several weeks of direct outdoor promotions and live participation on Cameroon Radio and Television, CRTV, the Agbor Gilbert Ebot Production was sure of an impressive turnout at the Grand Premier of the biggest film ever from Cameroon and Nigeria, titled “The Blues Kingdom”. The hall was full to its capacity, with die-hard Cameroonian Nigerian-movie fans tight-seated and itchy to feed their eyes with the spellbinding images beaming from a giant cinema wall. Despite starting on a rather timid note, compounded by poor coordination and technical lapses, and the event dragging on for a lousy two-hour of rambling “speech-makings and handclapping”, the event eventually turned out to be a worthwhile showcase of indigenous stars.

Present at the occasion were a cross-section of government officials, the diplomatic corps, national VIPs and dignitaries, and the most-awaited Nigerian actress Clarion Chukwura. Mr Akin Sola, Minister Consul at Nigerian High Commission mounted the rostrum to set the ball rolling with a keynote address, closely followed by a representative from Cameroon’s Ministry of Culture and Mr Amadou Vamoulke - the General Manager of CRTV. Though it was earlier rumoured that Nigerian movie stars Zack Orji and Genevieve Nnanji were to be part of the evening, they never showed up. Adorned in a crimson-red bare-back sexy outfit, the saucy characteristic and “iron lady” Clarion Chukwura in Nigerian home videos stole the show.

“The Blues Kingdom" is a timely product pregnant with incisive messages to the adherents of age-old African traditional practices associated to female genital mutilation, breast-ironing and early marriages. Directed by Zack Orji and starring Clarion Chukura, Ivan Namme, Ngassa Xavier Ngunga, Queenta Eyong-Ashu Abor Magdalene among others, the movie tells the story of a Cameroonian emigrant “bushfaller” who decides to return home after a successful stay abroad. While in his native land, he falls prey to a traditional ritual he considers fetish and outmoded. His brother, a defender of tradition and custodian of the culture is helpless in a crisis that sets the village ablaze with fury. Due to the timely intervention of the forces of law and order, the situation is brought under control and perpetrators are sanctioned.

The characterisation of “The Blues Kingdom” is good and plot well tailored to suit the interwoven themes that run through, though continuity and disjointed sets standout as bane checking the quality of the movie. It, however, makes for an interesting watch and triggers spasms of hot tears rushing down the cheeks of African movie lovers. Interestingly, Cameroon’s Parliamentary chief, The Honourable Rose Abunaw who happens to be the Aunt of the movie producer, played an invisible role in the movie. As she declared during the launching at the Hilton Hotel, she inspired the making of this particular movie.

At the close of the evening, the organisers raised about 3.000.000 FCFA (US$ 6.000) from well-wishers and donors, pledges non-exclusive. Recovering the overall costs incurred in organising and managing the event, let alone the colossal sum sunk into the project, testifies to a limping industry that some Cameroonian adventurers and few visionaries combat with.

The brain behind the movie project, Agbor Gilbert Ebot co-produced another African movie, “Before the Sunrise” with another Nigerian celebrity, Fred Amata. Fred Amata also doubles in the movie as the director. Big names in the Nigerian film industry such Olu Jacobs, Zack Orji and Dakore Egboson as well as the Cameroonian makossa idol Jean Pierre Essome featured in the 120 minutes emotion-packed movie. Cyril Akonteh of the Splash Network assisted in the production of “Before the Sunrise”, which is based on a true love story, which cracks open the tribal and cultural differences typical of marriages between the Northwesterners (‘graffi’) and the Southwesterners (‘sawa’). The issue of the Northwest settlers in the Southwest region of Cameroon simply branded “Come No Go” is neatly addressed in the movie, “Before the Sunrise”

“China Wahala” - Avant-première of a Golden Touch JC Production

February 09, 2008

“China Wahala” - Avant-première of a Golden Touch JC Production

Cameroon Chinese “bushfallers” tell their story

By Akere Maimo

The word “bushfaller” is a common parlance that has fast become flesh and blood of Anglophone Cameroonians when relating to the unusual phenomenon of the active population fleeing for greener pastures in the land of Uncle Sam, the greater half of Europe and more recently Far East Asia. Social scientists best brand it the “Go Abroad Syndrome” (GAS) in a desperate attempt to question and answer the burning issue of mass emigration eating the fabric of society. In casual Pidgin English, you would hear Cameroonians say “I want fall Bush” or “I am falling Bush” referring to travelling abroad. And whenever, the westernised “bushfallers” come home for a Christmas or summer visit, it is usually much fun. The showy types would display affluence aplenty, gallivant in posh cars and pride in the fact of their countrymen calling them “bushfallers”. Today in Cameroon, “bushfallers” simply refers to those in the Diaspora.

Strange enough, the beautiful pictures some of these “bushfallers” paint of their so-called “Bush” and “wonderland” is simply a mirage. Such bitter truths have left scars in the minds of less spirited Cameroonian youths as it is now dawning on them that “all that glitters is not gold” and that they can make it right here in Cameroon simply by applying their brain to work. It is certainly against this backdrop that some talented brothers and sisters in the Diaspora are making good use of the best-known medium of home-made videos to tell their stories of the good, the bad and the ugly about “Bush” (abroad).

Sometime ago, movie lovers witnessed the launching of “Berlin Icon”, a movie produced by aspiring Cameroonians living in Germany (Bundes as it is commonly called) telling their story of “bushfalling” in Hitler’s Germany. On Saturday, December 8, 2007 at the Yaounde Djeuga Palace Hall, it was the turn of some Cameroon Chinese-based brothers and sisters recounting their own misfortunes and woes or rather their “wahala” in the land of the venerated Mao Tse Tsung.

The US-based "bushfallers" have their own thriller titled "Culture Shock" with revealing images of what life is in America.

The point of attraction in China Wahala is a 2-hour emotion-packed movie with a Nigerian-wrought movie lingo for a title: “Chinese Wahala”. It was a premier of its kind, though the turnout was unimpressive. Most often, cross-cultural participation in movie production in Anglophone Cameroon has often associated with Artists from next-door Nigeria not until recently that we have a joint movie venture with the Chinese. The product is not only unique in terms of the concept and expert production but goes beyond the political and business romance that exist between the two states.

“China Wahala” carries with it a lot of strength in terms of its image and sound quality. The scenes are not unnecessarily too long, though some still reflect the Nigerian style of typical shopping and airport scenes. The script is well written and rendered by the actors, except for a lot of indoor scenes. The continuity from one scene to the other is consistent and flows successively. The characterisation is good, though some supporting actors are a bit weak in their roles. To portray the bilingual nature of the country, the English movie is subtitled in French - quite a saleable element for the movie.

“China Wahala” makes for an interesting watch. It is a must-watch with an easy storyline. A number of questions are raised drawing allusion to the “bushfaller” syndrome. What happens when a generation of young people gets obsessed about finding future abroad? What happens when a clique of smart guys preys on their own countrymen in foreign lands? The movie captures the passionate cravings of a generation frustrated and overburdened by their country, yet ensnared by their greedy countrymen abroad in search of “fast money”. The famous creed of “bushfallism” that “not every country man abroad is your brother” runs through the film like blood in the veins. Those who have been to Dubai or Europe would tell you the story better.

The film is produced by Golden Touch JC Production (GTJCE) and officially sponsored by the Ministry of Culture, starring promising a multi-talented major role such as Joyce Kuchah, who doubles as the Director. He is assisted by his Chinese colleagues Han Wen Qing as Assistant Director and Tang Bo as Production Manager. “China Wahala” also stars Cameroonians in China like Jennet Atem, Mokom Muluh, Sharon Asoh, Hosia Ghogha, Suiven Mykem, Job Taku, Ferdinand Asongwe,m Victor Asongwe, Jinui Tanteh and Terry Wang. The film is marketed and distributed worldwide by GTJCE in Cameroon, Britain and USA.

From the echoes reaching us as at now, the movie has registered significant progress in terms of sales. According to insides sources, the volume of sales rate is estimated at 5000 just in about a month after the launching.

It is important to note here that the Cameroonian movie industry is coming of age in terms of quality and know-how. More and more, movie lovers are getting convinced that the few Cameroonian movies we have are good for consumption rather the Nigerian stuff flooding our streets and screens. Reason why the various stakeholders in the sector should put their hands on deck and support this giant industry. It requires more than just a film production to get things on motion. It is collective effort that needs the galvanising force of a dynamic and forward-looking media, a consumer-conscious public for local products, a well organised market to ease the sales through distribution channels both at home and abroad, and above all the business tycoons and fire-driven entrepreneurs ready to venture in such an dream adventure.

TV sensation hits Cameroon

December 09, 2006

TV Sensation Becomes a Reality in Cameroon

By Akere Maimo in Yaounde

Nowadays, it has become common practice to find a cross-section of Cameroonian families glued to their TV sets as early as 7 pm. Anxiety is usually at top gear as the impatient onlookers gaze at their silver screens tight-seated for a serial or soap opera to unveil itself. Missing an episode is almost tantamount to missing an important date. Everything practically comes to a standstill in the household, children forgoing their homework and mothers leaving their pots on fire all in a bid to quench the seething appetite.

Primetime series like ‘The Promise’ on CRTV and ‘Camila’ on STV have become part and parcel of the life of most Anglophone homes in Cameroon, creating new worlds of their own. ‘Muñeca Brava’ on CRTV, ‘La Rue du Marié’ on Canal 2 and many others have held the French-speaking audience hostage. Generally, those who are bilingual have an edge. These are among the few examples that can be cited, which remain so far a clear reflection of the dominance of TV media in Cameroon. As the saying goes, people are more used to watching and listening than reading in Cameroon.

The emergence of the audiovisual landscape
It was only until the former PM Peter Mafany Musongue promulgated decree No. 2000/188 of 3 April 2000, that the audiovisual landscape of Cameroon was liberalised. Since then, the CRTV monopoly has been torpedoed by the presence of vibrant private TV stations such as Canal 2 and Spectrum TV (STV 1&2) as well as cable TV networks that have all pulled a considerable chunk of CRTV’s audience. In Bamenda alone, there are 2 local TV houses: Republican Television Network (RTN) and Cameroon National Television (CNT) plus STV and CRTV. Apart from the usual Canal 2, STV and CRTV, Equinoxe Television (ETV) and Arian Television (ATV) are producing new shoots in the major metropolis, Douala and Yaounde, respectively.

Cameroonians are more and more overfed by a gamut of TV entertainment to the extent that many are now faced with the problem of choice. But what really interest Cameroonians on TV? What do they exactly watch on TV? Films (soap operas, cartoons, sitcoms), music, news or sports? What about business news, weather forecast and local and global market trends? Have the local TV houses lived up to the expectations of the Cameroonian audience? What impact have they created on the local population?

Nigerian movies: an alternative source of entertainment
It is true that with the advent of Nigerian movies and the advancement of the laser technology in electronics, many Cameroonian English-speakers found a new niche for comfort to compensate the French-dominated media that surround them. Soon, video rentals became big business in major cities and towns in Cameroon. Posters of Nigerian stars punctuated every corner of the street.

However, with the arrival of the private TV channels and the cable TV network services, the attention has been sidetracked. Many now prefer to subscribe and watch the local TV stations that show Nigerian movies more or less on daily basis, than spend their money on buying and renting movies. Unfortunately, this has led to the unemployment of some enterprising Cameroonians who sold and rented videos. Subscribing for a cable TV network service has also become en vogue in most towns, with a monthly fee of about 4000-5000 FCFA.

Since 1987, Spectrum Cablevision Ltd has been involved in satellite distribution and PAY-TV subscription management in Cameroon. As a multimedia organisation, it provides TVRO solutions (DTH, SMATV, and MATV). Canal Satellite Horizon was only introduced a few years ago.

TV programming and content of programmes
Amongst the so many problems that the aforementioned TV stations face is that of programming. For sure, many Cameroonians are glad that they now can select from a wide variety of TV entertainment in order to satisfy their insatiable thirst. Well, others hold that the TV stations have failed in their objectives to really satisfy the Cameroonians because their level of programming still leaves much to be desired.

This even pushed a parent, Mr. Henry Asong Achingale to table a complaint to CRTV and STV in ‘The Post Weekender’ of January 20. His argument is based on the fact that two media keep churning a chain of movies, just at the wrong hours of the day. According to Mr. Henry, these media have failed in their programming as the films are projected from 7:30 to 10 pm, the time when children and students are supposed to do their homework or study. He, therefore, proposes that the screening of ‘series’ can be programmed in the afternoon, when children relaxing back from school.

Another teething problem is the content of programmes broadcast. Given that we are generally a consumer population, other cultures tend to thrive here than anything about Cameroon can be heard elsewhere. A good example is the sensational ‘Couper Decaler’ that has eaten deep into fabric of our social life, the continuous presence of Nigerian movies that have really becoming saturating in the media. Besides, many now watch TV just for the fun of it without a guided principle or timetable on what to watch and when to watch what.

Canal 2 and STV 1&2 fighting CRTV
Public opinion now holds that with the emergence of the audiovisual landscape in Cameroon, more than half of CRTV’s audience has been lost to Canal 2 and STV 1&2. While Canal 2 has successfully maintain a steady crest of popularity in the Douala and Yaounde metropolis by creating a media with which Cameroonians can easily identify themselves, STV is staging a unique ‘Anglo-Saxon Media Revolution’. Canal 2 has also created a mark for itself by handling human-interest news and corporate news with so much dexterity; whereas STV is still battling with the idea of satisfying her audience with what is strictly ‘Cameroonian’ or what is ‘foreign’.

Notwithstanding, CRTV is unbeatable given that it is the state-own media and is powerful in terms of manpower, financial and technical resources. CRTV is still No. 1 in terms of public affairs and institutional news; her presence across the national territory really identifies her the ‘Indomitable Lions’ of the audiovisual in Cameroon second to none. It is thanks to CRTV that Cameroonians can watch the MTN African Cup of Nations live from Egypt.

With Mr. Adamou Vamoulké at the helm of CRTV, hopes are high that he is going to apply rigorous modern management techniques to uplift CRTV from the doldrums of laxity, ineffective management of resources, poor programming and misplacement of talents. With his new vision of ‘Enchanting CRTV Anew’, he is poised to move mountains and uplift boulders.