Nollywood stars boost local film industry

NOLLYWOOD stars on Thursday concluded a 2-day visit to Rwanda where they promoted their latest movie, Off the hook as part of their campaign to promote the film industry across the continent. The movie which features Rwandan film stars will premiere on May 9, 2014 at the Century Cinema in Kigali. Ghanaian actress Jackie Appiah Agyemang and two Nigerian actors Prince David Osei and Andy Boyo arrived on Wednesday evening aboard RwandAir. They were received by fellow Rwandan film stars Liane Muhoza, Willy Ndahiro and Sonia Fidelite Irakoze at Kigali International Airport. On arrival, the trio held a press conference before visiting the Minister of Sports and Culture, Mitali Protais at Amahoro stadium. “We are here to create awareness for one of Africa’s next big movies to be premiered soon here in Kigali,” Boyo said. The trio said they are embarking on a mission to unify local film talent across Africa especially in Rwanda, Zambia, South Africa, Malawi, Nigeria and Ghana; to make the film industry, a bigger brand across the continent. Mitali applauded the actors for the great initiative that not only improves the Rwandan film industry but markets Rwanda across the World. “It will be a great opportunity to have local Rwandan artistes work alongside already established names in the industry”, Mitali added. The movie off the hook is a romantic comedy with a twist of pathetic Drama and a must watch as Andy Boyo intimated. Acted alongside Rwandan artistes, Prince David Osi said, “It is a great opportunity to help fellow film stars develop talent beyond the confines of their boundaries”. Prince Osei is popular for his role in the long running program on Africa Magic-About to Wed. He has also featured in two Hollywood movies- The Dead and Nana means King and is yet to embark on another with Idris Alba of the Mandela Long Walk to Freedom fame. The other two stars have also featured in many Nollywood movies. The three stars were here on a one day trip before embarking on other similar projects in Malawi, Zambia and South Africa. “The sole essence is to popularise African movies and preserve our African cultural heritage,” said Appiah. The movie that is a project of Nollywood Cinemas Ltd in conjunction with A Plus Limited is the first of its kind in Rwanda. Muhoza, one of the local film stars featuring in the movie said that: “I am delighted to be working with stars that go as far as Nollywood because in a way, it creates a big link for the Rwandan film industry to Nollywood.”

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Nollywood stars boost local film industry