"Losing Daylight" is Helping Nollywood Reconnect to its Roots to Better Appreciate the Present
The exhibition is a collection, restoration, preservation, and exhibition of significant memorabilia and artefacts from Nigeriaβs film history.
There's this saying I love, a bit of a remix of a familiar proverb: a child who doesn't know what killed his father is more likely to be killed by the same thing. Itβs like a nudge to say, βHey, knowing where you come from is a big deal.β There's a lot of wisdom in those old sayings, and even in my twist on them. Long story short: everyone ought to know their history.
This is the principle upon which Losing Daylight, put together by talent agent and CultureMiddleman Taiwo Adeyemi, is founded. Itβs all about understanding where Nollywoodβs been to navigate where itβs headed.
Losing Daylight is a journey through the reels of Nigeriaβs film history. If the film gods had eyes, theyβd likely get teary seeing how Taiwo and the crew have weaved together these crucial moments from Nollywood's past, all for the sake of the future. The exhibition proudly boasts, βa century of Nigeriaβs film history on display: 19th century to present day.β And trust me, having wandered through those exhibition halls myself, there's a lot of sparkle there.
Now, what adds a nice twist to the tale is the name, Losing Daylight. Itβs not just a catchy phrase but is coined from a phrase frequently used by filmmakers who are racing against time to film a scene before natural light fades away.
Losing Daylight is a collection, restoration, preservation, and exhibition of significant memorabilia and artefacts from Nigeriaβs film history. Including imagery, film scripts, posters, costumes, equipment, props, publications, personal effects, etc β from the first time a film was made and played in this country (Nigeria) during the 19th century to present-day, and then making it accessible to everyone as an art form, entertainment, education, cultural heritage and social documentation. β About the exhibition.
The buzz about Losing Daylight had been circulating on social media, especially after its prelude event on Independence Day. Intrigued by the chatter, I decided to experience it firsthand. A perfect kickoff to my non-Detty December plans, and boy, was it worth it!
Stepping into the exhibition halls of the Ecobank Pan African Centre VI, the scent of nostalgia hits you like a wave. It's a powerful force that permeates the room, refusing to be ignored. The main exhibition unfolded between the 10th and 15th of December, 2023 with an incredible lineup of events, and the atmosphere was charged with the echoes of Nigeria's cinematic past.
Monday, the 11th, brought three of Nollywood's most distinguished writers β Nicole Asinugo (Living in Bondage: Breaking Free), Ted Makanjuola (Blood Sisters), and Abdul Tijani-Ahmed (Brotherhood) β to engage with the fortunate attendees. The session was a treasure trove of insights on shaping tomorrow's stories today. Lucky for me, I managed to capture some of these valuable gems on record. Stay tuned with @RinzyReviews on Instagram; turn on post notifications, so you don't miss out when they're shared.
Fu'ad Lawal graced the event on Thursday, the 14th, shedding light on the fascinating work he and his team are undertaking at Archivi.ng β digitizing and preserving Nigeria's print history. A commendable effort that deserves attention.
For its closing day, Losing Daylight pulled out all the stops. The itinerary for the day was nothing short of spectacular. It began with veteran actress Joke Silva delving into "The Return of Theatre" to the Nigerian entertainment mainstream. This insightful session set the tone for a captivating musical performance by Wana Udobang, acting as an appetizer. The day proceeded with a riveting Soundtrack Panel hosted by AA Presley alongside other experts in the sound niche of the industry before concluding with a fuller musical performance by the Pantheon Band and other exceptionally talented performers.
Losing Daylight is the stuff of dreams. It's an exemplary showcase of what unfolds when a person dares to dream and commits to the arduous journey of bringing that vision to life.
A massive shout-out to Taiwo Adeyemi and everyone involved in bringing Losing Daylight to life. It's not every day that an exhibition resonates so profoundly in this part of the world. The triumph of Losing Daylight, coupled with its apparent market appeal, has me contemplating what might step in to fill the vacuum next. The stage is set; let's see what takes the spotlight.
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