Best 5 Nollywood Actors Of 2013
No 5: Comedians Seyi Law, Bovi Ugbomma, and Kelechi Udegbu
As
controversial as this may seem to some people, I believe there are
merits in recognising the names tied on this list on the number 5 spot. I
could actually have chosen just one when it came to the crunch but
decided to first and foremost acknowledge the input of these guys into
the comedy genre of Nollywood , which is often overlooked when giving
awards. Secondly, whether anyone likes it or not, these comedians do
know.
HOW TO ACT. If
within the comfortable ambits of their arguable stereotypes, they could
elicit rib-cracking spasms from millions of Nigerians all the time, then
their ART must be commended and rewarded. These three are judged on
different individual skits released on youtube and other online
platforms in 2013. Having watched those skits critically and also using
the same criteria to judge their roles as with the other actors in this
list, it should not come as a surprise that these guys scaled through in
critical areas of delivery, characterisation and a huge dose of
believability which induces spasmodic laughter. These comedians have a
style of organic acting, peculiar to them which itself is an art form.
SEYI LAW, though
known as a stand-up comic, moved steps furthed in 2013 with some
commendable acting in the the ‘Orijin in Ibadan’ sketch on youtube. Seyi
was adept as the effusive and garulous Yoruba mogul who gets more than
he bargained for in a restaurant. Though mostly improvised, the skit
shows acceptable reaction points from Seyi and a good transistion from
the garulous to the gutted.
KELECHI J. UDEGBU may not be well known
to many of you. In fact, I never knew him from Adam before I stumbled on
his comedy skit on youtube and I was completely blown away. His role as
the corrupt Officer Titus, a parody of some of our staple traffic
enforcement officers, is as funny as it is as formidable. What struck me
in Kelechi was his ability to internalise the character in such a way
that the rendition of his lines and his projection of the character
found a perfect and almost-believable mix. Actors can be judged on
minute clips or performances and though this youtube skit is short, I
predict that Nollywood will soon be seeing more of Kelechi Udegbu in no
short time. There are few new talents out there who are endowed with an
undisputed capacity to act comically. This gentleman is one of such.
BOVI UGBOMMA is a popular and lovable
stand-up comic who has a television series, ‘THE BOVI UGBOMMA SHOW’. His
body of work in 2013 is quite impressive and amongst many of such, I
particularly judged him on the Rhythm Unplugged promo currently shown on
Silverbird Television. Bovi brought a certain humour into that short
sketch as he always does in his outings. Notice the transistion from his
angry storm to the bouncer who touched his girlfriend’s bum to the last
bit where he pants and tells her he took a short cut. Classic. Like I
said, these comedians are actors in their own rights too.
Number 4: Blossom Chukwujekwu
Somehow, in 2013, Blossom came into the
scene and perhaps asserted himself as one we all must take notice of. I
watched him in ‘Flower Girl’ in February 2013 at the cinemas and apart
from an obvious on-screen charm, I could see that the young man put in a
lot of work in his role. There was a certain energy he exuded in that
movie which wasn’t lost on many. He isn’t just good looks. He seems to
be eager to learn more and to prove himself beyond the ‘Fine Boy, No
pimples’ looks. In ‘Flower Girl’, his internalisation was good enough
and though there were small areas of artistic indecision when it came to
delivery, Blossom overall gave a good account of himself. He found a
better platform to excel in the movie ‘Finding Mercy’ where I saw marked
improvements in his acting. His performance there was quite a cinema
rouser for many, though his characterisation came to the fore after the
first half-hour in the movie. His reactions were on point and he brought
an emotional calibration to the whole movie in the last scene. Few
budding actors have that ability. Blossom will certainly blossom in his
career in 2014.
No 3. Odunlade Adekola
I don’t judge actors on whether they are in Nollywood or in ‘Yoruwood’ or any other ethnic coinage. There are certain qualities an actor in any category of the industry must have in assessing him. Personally, I think the Yoruba movies as well as the other ethnic movies have an advantage over the English movies in the areas of acting because the acting comes naturally to them unlike the English movies where more is needed to compete with the global parameters. However, this actor in the Yoruba genre of movies, Odunlade Adekola, has stood out in 2013. I watched a couple of his movies and he impressed me with his style, attention to characterisation, internalisation and a restrained attempt not to be melo-dramatic. In movies such as ‘Baba Super’, ‘Eje Nla’, ‘Fayebora’ and sneak peeks I saw of ‘Eje Fun Eje’, Odunlade showed class among or even above his peers. I don’t even understand Yoruba so it speaks volumes about how his acting made an impact on me. I am told that he is presently the biggest star in the Yoruba film sector. I can see why. Talent do not lie.
I don’t judge actors on whether they are in Nollywood or in ‘Yoruwood’ or any other ethnic coinage. There are certain qualities an actor in any category of the industry must have in assessing him. Personally, I think the Yoruba movies as well as the other ethnic movies have an advantage over the English movies in the areas of acting because the acting comes naturally to them unlike the English movies where more is needed to compete with the global parameters. However, this actor in the Yoruba genre of movies, Odunlade Adekola, has stood out in 2013. I watched a couple of his movies and he impressed me with his style, attention to characterisation, internalisation and a restrained attempt not to be melo-dramatic. In movies such as ‘Baba Super’, ‘Eje Nla’, ‘Fayebora’ and sneak peeks I saw of ‘Eje Fun Eje’, Odunlade showed class among or even above his peers. I don’t even understand Yoruba so it speaks volumes about how his acting made an impact on me. I am told that he is presently the biggest star in the Yoruba film sector. I can see why. Talent do not lie.
No 2: Ramsey Noah
It was tough putting Ramsey in the Number 2 spot because he is a damned
good actor. Very good. Having worked with him in eight of my movies in
the past, I know his abilities but I am yet to know his acting
limitations. Over the years, Ramsey has explored his inner depths as an
actor and tries to push the envelope. He comes across as one who takes
his roles seriously and so he should. I watched him in three movies in
2013; ‘The Courier’, ‘Weekend Getaway’ and ‘Confusion Na Wa’. I think he
particularly stood out more in ‘Confusion Na Wa’ where a mix of
cinematography, directorial genius and a very good script brought out
his sterling qualities in acting. But I believe Ramsey would stun us all
in 2014 when Izu Ojukwu’s ’76′ hits the screens. From the short trailer
I saw, there is something very dark and daring in Ramsey’s character in
that movie. Aided with the retro feel in the movie as well as the
costumes, one can sense an intensity in Ramsey’s character from the
trailer. We are yet to see the best of Mr Noah. We have only seen the
stirrings of a best.
No 1: O.C. Ukeje
No apologies to
anyone. My Number One Actor for 2013 would be OC Ukeje. In arriving at
this conclusion, I had the uncomfortable task of distancing his acting
in my movie ‘Alan Poza’ from the list of other movies he was assessed
with. But one cannot ignore that in 2013 alone, OC has won the ‘Best
Actor’ diadem FOUR TIMES at the AMVCA, NEA, BON and NMA awards. He has
also been nominated for ‘ Best Actor’ a record EIGHT TIMES in a single
year. Now, that is enough to make heads turn and so they should. This is
a feat even the older acts in Nollywood cannot boast of.
Watching OC Ukeje in three movies in the past year was a stunning experience. Since 2006 when OC won the top prize in the ‘Amstel Malta Box Office’ (AMBO), the young man had been relatively quiet and picky with his scripts, preferring to feature more in stage productions and promising scripts. That sense of purpose paid off in the long run. Like the Bible says, you can’t hide a light under a bushel. OC’s illumination in the acting space can be seen in ‘Confusion Na Wa’, ‘The Awakening’ and ‘Hoodrush’. In these movies, the power of his art can be seen. He has an unusual intensity as an actor and a peculiar propensity to project his characterisation which would leave many with gaping mouths. This young man has a lot to give to us in the nearest future. All we have to do is to receive.
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