Nigerians react to Desmond Elliot’s call seeking ban on foreign movies

 

NOLLYWOOD

Nigerians react to Desmond Elliot’s call seeking ban on foreign movies

JULY 22, 2019

A Nollywood actor, Desmond Elliot, has come under fire for urging the federal government to place a ban on foreign films in Nigeria.

The actor called for a ban on foreign films ”for Nollywood to thrive” during an interview with Nigerian entertainment channel, HipTV.

The 45-year-old film star, said, “The federal government needs to consciously and intentionally focus on improving this industry. Treat it like you’re importing rice, ban all foreign content and make it difficult for all foreign content to come in, so the local content can grow.

“And then, you need to support (financially) the music industry, you need to support the film industry… even the comic industry as well…”

The actor made the remarks when the interviewer asked him how he thinks Nollywood can be improved.

Although the actor also highlighted the imminent challenges in Nollywood in the interview, his earlier comments calling for the ban appeared to have taken the front burner.

Some Nigerians on social media said though they feel the actor meant well for Nollywood and his colleagues, his approach was faulty.

His comments led to a heated debate on social media.

But Elliot is not the first Nollywood actor to call for a restriction of foreign content in Nigeria.

In 2017, Nollywood actress, Stephanie Linus, also called on the Nigerian government to create policies to reduce the saturation of the local media with Mexican Telenovelas.

Elliot, who was influenced by a friend to become an actor, is one of Nollywood’s leading actors, having appeared in over 200 films including ‘Men Who Cheat’, ‘Yahoo Millionaire’ and ‘Atlanta’.

In 2008, Elliot co-produced and co-directed the movie “Reloaded” which received three nominations at the African Movie Academy Awards.

He ventured into politics and is currently a lawmaker in Lagos State.