In my earlier assessment of the five best actresses of 2013,
I used personal and universally accepted criteria to arrive at my
conclusions. Obviously, a lot of actresses left out of the last list
must
have felt shortchanged but I still don’t have apologies for any omission
therein. The same process goes with this list for the Best Five
Actors in 2013 in Nollywood.
Once again, I state here that those actors and actresses who
strut red carpets and push their publicity agenda through a dime-a-dozen
instagram pictures should actually decide if they wish to be actors or
socialites.
Enough of confusing the people with plastic smiles at almost
every red carpet event. Let people judge you on the MERITS of your art than on
your MEANDER on red carpets. Over exposure is not talent.
NUMBER 5: THE
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.
NUMBER 4: BLOSSOM CHUKWUJEKWU
Somehow, in 2013,
Blossom came into the scene and perhaps asserted himself as one we all must
take notice of. 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.
NUMBER 3. ODUNLADE ADEKOLA
I don’t judge actors
on whether they are in Nollywood or in ‘Yoruwood’ or any other ethnic coinage.
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.
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.
NUMBER 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.
I believe Ramsey would stun us all in 2014 when Izu Ojukwu’s
’76′ hits the screens. We are yet to see the best of Mr Noah. We have only seen
the stirrings of a best.
NUMBER ONE: 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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