Nollywood as the world refers to the Nigerian film industry is the Mecca of African cinema. Yes, probably there’s a lot to hate about some monotonous themes in some of their films, especially those on Netflix, but there’s still too much to pick from them.
Of late, Nigeria has not only championed streaming giants such as Netflix’s original content with both feature films and serialized dramas, but they have also been big on the multinational collaboration.
And that’s how Loukman Ali comes into the picture. Still riding high on Uganda’s first film on Netflix, The Girl in The Yellow Jumper, Ali has been making waves across the continent.
If it’s not for that film on Netflix, it’s about his short films on YouTube, Blind Date, and Sixteen Rounds. The films that have been watched by more than four hundred thousand people on the video sharing platform are serving the purpose Ali had set out for them when he started making them at the beginning of 2021.
Then, he was disturbed by the fact that the only thing the world knew about the Ugandan film was a debacle that is Who Killed Captain Alex, it bothered him.
The short films were to show the world that Uganda has what it takes to make films fit for cinema.
And almost a year later, Loukman Ali will be joining Nigerian producer and entrepreneur Jade Obesiru and her production house GREOH Studios for a project, Brotherhood.
The crime-action thriller about twin brothers on opposite sides of the law features a fine blend of some of Nollywood’s most talented new faces alongside industry veterans such as Basketmouth, OC Ukeje, Sam Dede, Ronke Oshodi-Oke, Falz, Omawunmi, Tobi Bakre, Toni Tones, Jidekene Achufusi, Deyemi Okanlawon, Mercy Aigbe, Dorathy Bachor, Dianne Russet, Seyi Awolowo and Boma Akpofure.
Announcing the production on her Twitter account, Obesiru noted that the pan African project is bringing together talent from West, East, and Southern Africa.
“The cast for this film ehn, I’m just so excited we could get everyone. We’ve also brought together a Pan-African crew (Uganda, Kenya, SA, and Nigeria) to deliver an action-packed film like nothing you’ve ever seen from Nollywood,” she tweeted.
A statement shared by the production company noted that Loukman was elated at the opportunity to tap into the Nigerian audience and talent.
“I’m elated to be making Brotherhood and working with Jade Osiberu who’s proven to be one of the most audacious filmmakers on the continent. I hope this film opens up doors for more partnerships between African filmmakers. This is the beginning of many firsts for African cinema. We are taking risks and hope to excel. The Nigerian audience and Africans at large should expect a Nollywood high stakes crime-action thriller like never before.”
2022 is proving to be such a great year for the filmmaker having been selected among the few Africans to make short films in collaboration with Netflix. With Brotherhood on the cards as well, seems Loukman may be the only Ugandan that can truly call this his year.
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