Nollywood Diaspora | 8 May 2010 07:25 CET

BRINGING NOLLYWOOD TO ITALY FACTS AND POSSIBILITIES ...Martins Aighoria

Source: nollywoodgists.com

Talking about Arts,creativity, sociocultural and political intergration;Italy is not left out, but delving into the area of movie production one will begin to wonder why producers are yet to tap into this very vergin soil of the entertainment industry and bring Nollywood to Italy.just like Isaac Ehizoya is doing in Germany, lady T.j in London and a host of others across Europe.

In a cross session of interview, Martins, the famous artist in Torino has this and some other fact's and possibilities if Nollywood will ever see the light of day in Italy.

PP..... Good day Martins, you are looking good and vaibrant as usual, can you tell us what is new and how are you working towards your aspiration of becoming the best African artist in Italy just like we read in one publication on you.

Martins.....(laughs!!) As you can see i am fine,against all the odds and the crisis, we thank God for the spirit of continuety...

PP....Do you still work as an artist or are you busy with other things?

Martins.... Some have it that variety is the spice of life, but for me i will say that daiversity is the appropriate word to put spice to life...from the period of June to December2009. i was working in collaboration with one African association called G.A.C.S gruppo africano cultura sports, an association that works majorly in ceating a linking bridge between African immigrants, to foster maximum intergration with the Italian territory; through this we had the opportunity to a Radio programme ''RADIO AFRICA'' which comes on air every sunday on radio flash F.M 97.69 here in torino.where we relay news from all counries in Africa, news on sports, informations on events, African cuisine and lots more, it was really fun filled as i handdled the area of news scouting.....(laughs!!) all thanks to the internet..and my other friends from Ivory Coast and Mali did the presentation in Italiano in the midst of all this i still have the opportunity of exhibiting my paintings,here and there and most especially i am working on my movie project ''THE GAME'', so you can see that daiversification really puts spice to life..

PP...wow!! do we now call you a jark of all trade..... or do we just say you are experimenting tell us more about this movie project of yours?

Martins.....as a person,i believe that life itself is an experiment, it is not over untill it is over so the issue of being a jark of all trade is not the point.... My movie ''THE GAME'' is a true life story written and scripted by me, some years ago and i am so happy that we are now rolling tape.. working with a wonderfull cast of 15, Directed by MR JEFF IDEHEN of nu vision digital studios here in torino...it is really a wonderfull experience working as an actor and assistant director.

PP.....Are you saying you also featured as an actor in the movie?

Martins.....(laughs!!) yes... actually i am playing the lead chracter. alongside with other wonderfull friends of mine whom out of their thight shedule..took it up and are doing marvellously fantastic.

PP..... so will you say that your movie will in a way mark the debut of Nollywood Italy or other Nigerian movies have already set the pace.?

Martins.....In 2004 a movie directed by the Guv himself Mr lancelot Oduwa Imasuen,was shot here in Torino and in Nigeria (WRONG DESIRE), I was a cast alongside with late kennedy oviahon, Gorgina Onuha, Fred Aseroma, Ngozi Ezeonu, I.K kevin and others..The movie was realesed in 2007 and i believed that was the starting point , but years later things went back to the low key level...Though lost's of movie producers from different cities in Italy are working really hard to wake the African movie industry out here, but lack of professionalism, funding, external collaboration and unity is really bringing down our effort, all these factors are paramount especially in view of the fact it is a very young industry that is trying to find its feet

PP....So you are saying that a lot of Nigerian movies are already in the viewers stable here in italy?

Martins......Yes there are lots of aspairing producers like G.V.K. productions here in Torino captained by a fine young producer who is working tooth and nail, even now on his third movie, there is I.J.B production in Brescia. The Milano productions..Nu Vision digital production , also here in Torino and lots more....

yes the movie production level is still on a very low and local scale but that is how it has to be, because there is always a staring point.and i believe that by the time two or three of the aformetioned producers come together and work as a team , then we will begin to see the growth which will now give way to italian film producers to collaborate with us then we will also begin to experience situation where film makers, will come from Nigeria to work with the Nollywood force out here

PP..... This is pointing to a strong believe that you are so sure of , about this industry finding its feet here isn't it?

Martins..... i am 100% sure that nollywood Italy will bring for a greater level of intergration between the African immigrants and the italians, and and creat a great level of job opportunities for thousands of jobless persons roaming the street, all in the search of quick money....i have visited the Torino film comission, also Torino cinema and i was duelly informed about their profound readiness and possible forms of assitance . so i believe that the starting point is all that matters to begin to sow on this very fertile soil that we are overlooking and allowing to waste away..

PP... well we can see that your creativity is really riding higher and higher, thank you very much and good luck..

Martins....Creativity is a part of every individual so i believe every persone has one or two things to offer, but we must search well or else we will just be rolling round and round in circle why there is a lot of little but meaningfull things to be done around us.making us to continue to remane as dreamers. while others are busy making dreams into realities..well its been nice talking with you thanks a million.........

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