Chris Odeh, a prominent voice in the Nigerian film industry, with projects like Living in Bondage, Nneka the Pretty Serpent, Tokunbo, etc shared profound insights at the IMOIFF 2024 masterclass organized by Izu Okafor, challenging filmmakers to rethink their approach to storytelling and global reach. His words underscored the immense potential within local narratives and the universal language of cinema.
Owerri: Location or Industry?
Odeh began by posing a thought-provoking question, highlighting the dual identity of Owerri:
“You can choose to make Owerri a location, you can choose to make it an industry. The choice is yours.”
This statement serves as a powerful call to action, urging filmmakers to see beyond geographical confines and recognize the economic and creative ecosystem that can be built around a place.
The Imperative of Authentic Representation
For Odeh, the essence of filmmaking lies in its ability to reflect reality, particularly the local reality:
“Our films must represent us.”
He passionately advocated for homegrown stories, emphasizing the wealth of untold narratives waiting to be discovered:
“There’s a lot of content that needs to be told from here (Local); can you be the one to tell them?”
This isn’t just about telling stories, but about telling authentic stories that resonate with local experiences and perspectives.
Beyond Language: The Universal Appeal of Cinematic Beauty
One of Odeh’s most striking points challenged the common misconception that language barriers hinder a film’s global travel:
“I don’t think films don’t travel because of the language.”
Instead, he champions the power of visual storytelling, citing a powerful example:
“You have to make your films to be cinematically beautiful for it to travel the world, language is not your restriction, speak the film language through your film picture – Do you watch Korean films?”
This rhetorical question powerfully underlines his point: films that prioritize visual artistry and universal themes can transcend linguistic boundaries, just as Korean cinema has captivated global audiences despite language differences.