THE THESPIANS, PIRATES, AND THE ARENA MADKETERS (1) - Filmmaker, Psalm Oderinde Writes

If you could recall vividly in 2009/10 when the unlawful mass duplication of Nigerian films became rampant than ever, the doers engaged in the act discreetly but seven years later, one would succumb to the pressure of buying pirated copies of films that gulped huge millions of naira as it enjoys distribution in public places compared to what we experienced close to a decade ago. Nollywood, which way out?

Shortly after the termite (piracy) made its debut, some concerned film makers did all they could to make the government come to their aid through protests, letters, et al but the men in agbada whom we voted for seem to care less about the trauma. The wailings, noise, and

agony of these people were not attended to. The marketers have their errs too, yes, you guys have yours, you are the intermediary between the producers and the audience, yet you never care to take a bold step in eradicating the pests feeding from your pot of gold. Or, maybe you tried, but I never heard. So if I did not, how could the government officials have heard. I even read of a renowned thespian from the Yoruba sect who was painted black and blue at Iyana Ipaja area of Lagos just because he expressed his feelings over the pirated films being sold around the area while we had police men who fed their eyes from the incident of the day. Really? Nigerian Police? Well… I am coming

back for you guys, our dear Arena Marketers. Now, the thespians, some of you have turned yourselves to political slaves who run errands for the men in agbada during campaigns, forgetting your primary reason to associate with the looters, or some of you who ventured into the politics business with the expectation to proffer a lasting solution to piracy but have been subjected to LOOTING! Did I say looting? Well I am not too sure of that.

Back to the Arena Marketers, you guys release a film and in the next 59 seconds, it’s in the hands of the pirates? And you drive around Lagos. You guys know nothing about that? For real? You scare

me if you claim not to know anything about this. This and a whole lot saddens my heart and a host of other concerned film makers but what can we do to eradicate this?

Arise o Compatriots! Nollywood Calls, Obey. Let’s join hands together in running the race! Let us do all within or even beyond our power and might to tackle the issue of piracy, marketers and the industry in general. One Nollywood! One Voice!! One Nigeria!!!