Nollywood Babylon

Welcome to the world of Nollywood! Being the world's third-largest film industry - surpassed only by its American and Indian twins - the national cinema of Nigeria is largely unknown outside the country's own borders despite its impressive output. The reason is simple: though the country's capital is home to over 14 million people, there are only three movie theaters - none of them showing Nollywood movies. Nollywood is a strictly direct-to-video business.

At the heart of "Nollywood Babylon" we find Lancelot Oduwa Imasuen, a 37-year-old director at work on his 157th feature. One of the most powerful figures within the industry, he becomes our guide to the history of the industry, its characteristic genres, and its stars.

Directors Addelman and Mallal have created a luscious and dynamic documentary. Though clearly taking pleasure in many aspects of Nollywood's richly varied and inventive output, they are not wholly uncritical of the industry, leaving us with the question: Is Nollywood a cause for national pride or is its escapist and gaudy fantasies in fact a spiritual narcotic?
LEE BLANCHARD

Cast
Osita Iheme, Chinedu Ikedieze, Lancelot Oduwa Imasuen: Producer
Adam Symansky: Script
Ben Addelman, Samir Mallal: Cinematography
Ben Addelman, Samir Mallal: Music
Olivier Alary: Spoken language
English: Subtitle
English