From screen to paper, here’s ‘The Figurine’

Nollywood movie producer, actor and director, Kunle  Afolayan  unveiled his book,  Auteuring Nollywood: Critical perspectives on The Figurine on Thursday at the Muson Centre, Lagos.

The star-studded event was attended by top government officials and business owners, such as speaker of the Lagos state house of assembly, Adeyemi Ikuforiji; representatives of Osun, Lagos and Kwara  state governors; former minister of national planning, Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi; corporate affairs adviser of Nigeria Breweries, Kufre Ekanem; and chairman of Doyin Group, Chief Samuel Adegoye.

Also present were president of the Nigerian guild of editors, Mr. Femi Adeshina; former CEO of African movie academy award, Peace Anyiam-Osigwe; actor, Yomi Fash; Ohaneze Ndi Igbo Nollywood, Gabriel and Shina Afolayan; media mogul Dayo Adeneye; comedians Ali Baba, Julius Agwu, Teju Babyface, Princess, Kofi, Gbenga Adeyinka; designer Deola Sagoe; singer/politician, Kenny Saint Brown; and talking drummer, Ara.

During a critical review by Ikechukwu Obiaya, director of Nollywood studies centre, Auteuring Nollywood; critical perspectives on The Figurine was hailed as “the most comprehensive book ever written of Nigeria cinema culture”.

Kunle revealed that the book was initially the idea of his brother, Shina Afolayan, a lecturer at the University of Ibadan, who was always a bookworm and believed The Figurine in book form would be a success.

Comedians, Ali Baba and Kofi soberly hinted their disappointments on the poor reading culture of Nigerians and the seeming lack of support from other Nollywood stars who would have been in attendance if Afolayan was hosting a party rather than a book presentation.

Anyiam-Osigwe commended Afolayan for the uncommon feat of  turning The Figurine, which earned him an AMAA award, into a book.

“We always admire Kunle’s works, but for someone who has been very close to him, it pains me that Kunle goes around trying to raise money from any means, anyhow to make his films and people who don’t know how a good film should be made are giving these finances based on who they know or how they can work it,” she lamented.