‘To God Be The Glory’, Nollywood Is Moving On From Clichés

Many of us grew up watching Nollywood films with the same cliché storylines.

This average storytelling made it easy to accurately predict what a film is about and how the plot will unfold by watching just the first few scenes.

However, in recent times, viewers are being blessed with ‘new generation’ films that are challenging the status quo and bringing new offerings to the table. Just before we totally move from the clichés and embrace the long-overdue change that is taking over our film industry, let’s take a look at some clichés that have plagued us over the years.

The overly ignorant/foolish villager

Jenifa is the village girl from Aiyetoro that you can’t help but fall in love with due to her ‘wannabe’ attitude and constant murder of the English language. However, her lovable foolishness is a role we have seen in several other Nollywood flicks. This role of over-exaggerated foolishness in a villager new to the city or lush life leaves you wondering if villagers have moi-moi leaves for a brain.

Kanayo O. Kanyo the Ritualist

If you ever see a Nollywood film start with respect actor, Kanayo O. Kanayo acting the role of a poor man, you don’t need to watch further because you already know what is coming next. Yes, he is going to get involved with some ritualistic mumbo jumbo and end up a rich man. By the way, if you happen to see Tony Umez in the same film, Viola, you have your story without watching the entire film: expect that Kanyo will surely initiate him. You can thank me later.

A royal always falls in love with a poor person

If you haven’t watched a Nollywood film about a prince or princess who is unworthy of his or her love, then you haven’t been an ardent follower of the Nigerian film industry. To make the plot even more interesting, the royal is usually betrothed to another royal. Society and family will kick against the unusual union but in the end, love always wins and the royal ends up with the commoner.

A love scene from a Nollywood film |Photo – Pinterest

Dates mean fast foods and beaches

Prior to the advent of cinemas and other reaction centres, the 90s and early 2000s saw many Nollywood films rely heavily on restaurants and beaches as the setting for an ideal romantic date. If you happen to see Nollywood’s famed bad buy Emeka Ike getting all lovey-dovey with the lead actress at fast food or beach, you can be rest assured that he truly loves her and you are in for a love ride. Expect to see them walk, hold hands, run around or feed each other and for special effect, there might be rain as they lip-sync their favourite song.

Village people are the definition of EVIL 

The fear of your village people is the beginning of wisdom. We have Nollywood to thank for the advent of the phrase ‘village people’. If you see an entire family travelling to the village for a visit and there is a focus on their journey, just know that is a premonition of doom. Either the entire family is destined to die in a car crash or the survivor of the inevitable crash is destined for suffering. You might want to have a rethink if something goes wrong with you and ask yourself if your village people are really at work.

Patience Ozokwor is your favourite wicked mother-in-law

Do you still need the plot of a Nollywood film the minute you see the face you love to hate; Patience Ozokwor? Go figure what the film is about! Yes, she is the wicked mother-in-law that is surely going to bring ‘hell’ to whichever ‘unlucky’ actress playing the role of her daughter-in-law. Your love-hate game better be strong to see the film.

Patience Ozokwor. | Photo Nollywood bits

Pastors, Evil Spirits And Troubles

The pastors always win the battle with a ghost or evil spirit as the apparition flees after some words of prayer from the ‘holy one’. It is understandable that most Nigerians are religious but a prayer from a pastor isn’t an automatic solution to all of life’s problems.

The ritualist or wicked uncle/aunt dies or runs mad immediately after a confession  

There is hardly any Nollywood film where the wicked triumphs. In reality, we all know that good doesn’t always win but the wicked always pay for their sins in Nollywood. The wicked character has to confess, cough, apologise for the wrongdoings and either die or go insane. We understand the “a soul that sinneth must die” plot, but the truth is that evil men don’t necessarily always die because of their actions, the dramatic death of a wicked relative is overused and a tad unrealistic.

To God Be The Glory

What’s a Nollywood film without the epic “To God be The Glory” closing line?