Just as it was with Jagun Jagun, Blood Sisters, Shanty Town, Anikulapo, Ijakumo, Elesin Oba, and other movies released on Netflix within the last one year, one does not have to have watched it to hazard a guess or even form an opinion of what “The Black Book” is all about.
Enough is the fever surrounding each of the releases on social media platforms. On one side are those who would not want you to touch “The Black Book”, even with a long pole. On the other side are those who were wowed and would gladly recommend it, employing superlatives in doing so.
While one might wonder how same movie can draw such deep, yet contrasting emotions in different sets of people, perhaps it only goes to remind one of the fact that one man’s meat is another man’s poison. Different strokes for different folks.
In the first place, not much can/should be made of some of the ‘reviews’ shared here, as many of those who critique neither have the professional competence to deliver on what might pass as critical review, with views and opinion canvassed largely emotive.
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Some of us, even with a professional background that should compel interest in this, hardly ever get to watch. Of all the movies, I have only seen Elesin Oba. Unlikely to see “The Black Book” too. At least, anytime soon.
I am, however, quite pleased to see the level of interest consistently generated by these films, especially those placed on Netflix, which is a global platform. It is a bold statement on how far Nollywood has come. It is a loud statement for Nigeria.
I am so glad to see “The Black Book” doing well. Within 2 days of its release, the film, we are told, rose to become the No 4 in the World, charting as No 1 in Jamaica, Poland, South Korea, Argentina, of all places. That is huge. Whatever it is, whichever way we look at it, this can only be a plus for Nigeria and the country’s creative economy.
I am quite fascinated by the funding model for the project. From what I read, funding largely, if not fully, came from Nigeria’s venture capitalists. In fact, the first I heard of the film was from one of those VCs. Interesting seeing the long list of unfamiliar names as Executive Producers. It can only get better with than, seeing that a window has now be opened with funds being specifically dedicated for creative endeavours of this nature. That can only enrich the sector, push the bounds of creativity and further deepen the industry.
It’s been only a few days since the release of “The Black Book”, but it does look like this might either be signalling the dawn of a new era or furthering it. Whichever one it is, this is good news.
Congratulations to all those who took a chance on this. Well done.
