NFC, AMAA endorse book on Figurine

Kunle Afolayan

Ahead of the public presentation of Auteuring Nollywood: Critical Perspectives on The Figurine, a book on Kunle Afolayan’s acclaimed film, key stakeholders in the motion picture industry have expressed support for the quality and depth of the work.

The publisher and promoters of the book say it examines the high points of The Figurine, and it will be unveiled at the Agip Recital hall of the MUSON Centre, Lagos on Thursday, July 31, 2014.

A statement signed by media consultant, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, indicates that the Nigerian Film Corporation, The African Movie Academy Awards and other stakeholders like the Association of Movie Producers, Directors Guild of Nigeria and the Actors Guild of Nigeria have identified with the project, describing it as a milestone in the history of the new Nigerian Cinema popularly known as Nollywood.

Kunle Afolayan is one of the two AMAA ambassadors selected to celebrate AMAA’s 10th anniversary throughout this year.

His elder brother, Dr. Adeshina Afolayan, a lecturer at the Philosophy department of the University of Ibadan, edited the 455-page book.

“AMAA is proud to associate with this project because it serves an important purpose,” said Peace Anyiam-Osigwe, the founder of AMAA. “It is significant to see that five years after The Figurine won AMAA’s top award as Best film of the Year, the film is still being discussed and has earned a rich collection of academic essays that are as important to the film as they are to the entire industry”, she stated.

Similarly, the Managing Director of the NFC, Dr. Danjuma Dadu, said Auteuring Nollywood was a welcome addition to the body of knowledge on film discourse in Nigeria and that the Film Corporation is proud to be associated with its unveiling next Thursday.

To do justice to the intellectual content of the book, Mr. Emeka Mba, the Director General of the National Broadcasting Commission and Dr. Ikechukwu Obianya, the Director of Nollywood Study Centre, Pan-Atlantic University, Lagos have been enlisted to review the book at the public presentation.

Former Minister of National Planning, Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi, OFR, will chair the ceremony that is designed to be one of Nollywood’s greatest moments, according to the organisers of the event.

A statement from Ayorinde adds, “A collection of scholarly essays, Auteuring Nollywood is first of its kind that is devoted to the work of a single Nigerian film director. It examines the thematic focus and cinematic style employed in The Figurine, while also using that singular work to engage the trends in the new Nigerian cinema popularly referred to as Nollywood.”