Lancelot Imasuen: Filmmaker says some Nollywood stars are feeling too big for the industry that made them

Lancelot Imasuen responds to Rita Dominic's criticism of cinema films, calls out RMD, Genevieve Nnaji, Omotola and Jim Iyke for not giving back to the industry.

Lancelot Imasuen has responded to Rita Dominic's recent post about the quality of cinema films in Nigeria.

During an interview with Vanguard, the filmmaker said that he doesn't expect any Nollywood star to criticize the industry.

He also said that some A-List actors currently feel too big for the industry which made them who they are years ago.

Imasuen mentioned some popular actors who have received 'fame and fortune' from Nollywood and should, in turn, give back to the industry.

 

While Imasuen agrees with Rita that not all Nollywood movies should be in cinemas, he doesn't approve of the platform [Instagram], which she used to share her thoughts.

“We should be very assiduous in building this industry. I have a problem with the platform that Rita Dominic used in airing her opinions. I’m sure she didn’t anticipate the kind of huge reactions that followed her comment.

The comment is coming at a time when we are expressing worry that the patronage of our local movies is dropping drastically,” Lancelot said.

 

The filmmaker stated that he doesn't expect any Nollywood star to openly criticize the industry because they are also guilty of neglecting the industry.

“I don’t expect any Nollywood star to come out and criticize anything Nollywood because they are also guilty of negligence of the industry. Some of them are feeling too big for the industry that made them. Who were they some years ago before Nollywood gave them the opportunity to shine?”

 

He also called out some A-List actors for not giving back to the industry. He stated that most of them have not been able to use the platform that Nollywood provided for them to impact positively on the industry.

"All the big brands that Nollywood have given so much fame and fortune, including RMD, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, Genevieve, Jim Iyke, Stella Damasus, Kanayo O. Kanayo, Stephanie Linus-Okereke, Eucharia Anunobi among others should come together and give back to the industry. That’s my clarion call to all of them.”

Other filmmakers who have responded to Rita Dominic's post are AY Makun and Pedro Obaseki.