According to CNN's report on Cameroon filmmaking "Making blockbusters in a nation without cinemas" Cameroon used to be a powerhouse of movie productions in Africa back in the 60s with the existence of many movie screening theatres in some major cities in the country like Douala and Yaounde. This worked out fine through 1970 to late 1980 when DVD , Television sets and TV stations were almost nonexistent in Cameroon. Watching a movie only meant going to the movie theater and thus Cameroonians were forced to pay whatever price was asked of them.
With the introduction of technology: numerous TV stations showing the popular Nigerian movies, the influx of computers enabling DVD movie piracy, and cheap local movie houses - the cinema arena of Cameroon has drastically changed.
However, the coming of the CRTV, then Cameroon television (CTV) in 1985, somehow inspired new filmmakers including English filmmakers whom through Victor Pungong in 1987 produced the first version of ‘Trials of passion 1’ the first ever English film aired on Cameroon national television with veteran actors like Henry Claude Ndengue who played the antagonist in the first version and in the second version of same serial nineteen years on precisely in 2004 and was aired on the Cameroon national television.
Cameroon is witnessing a movie-making revival, triggered by cheaper digital technology and inspired by the successes of the Ghana and Nigeria film industries. , Cameroon is following in their footsteps and the Cameroon Film Industry (CFI) may become the next African video industry to take off.
Having both English and French as official languages, Cameroonian filmmakers should have special advantages over other African filmmakers. Surrounded by countries which are either Anglophone or Francophone, Cameroonian movies are well presented in international film festivals. However, Cameroonian films are hardly shown at all to the local audience, probably because the audience strongly favors Hollywood and Nollywood movies.
Cameroon has a rich culture with a lot of diversity. Often referred to as “Africa in miniature”, Cameroon has been known for its football supremacy in Africa until about 2008. The fast-growing nature of Cameroon’s film industry is pointing to a new era whereby Cameroonians will no longer be identified with football only. Movie directors, producers, actors and actresses like Epule Jeffrey, Syndy Emade, Nkanya Nkwai, Alenne Menget, Ade Kelly, Nchifor Valery, Vitalis Otia and Malvis Ann will soon become the Ramsey Noah, Jym Ike, Mercy Johnson and Pete Edochie of Cameroon. You will soon be having a tough time choosing from Hollywood productions, Nollywood movies, and Cameroonian films.
Buea playing host to most entertainment events in English speaking Cameroon amongst which Movie premieres, award ceremonies, movie festivals and Music concerts, most Anglophone entertainers have moved to the town thus giving Buea the feel of America’s Hollywood city where all the entertainment happens.
Graced with the presence of the pioneer Anglo-Saxon University in the country (the University of Buea). About 150,000 people live in Buea. A greater fraction of the population consists of young university graduates who make up the young generation of filmmakers in Cameroon.
The Cameroon Film Industrycan already boast of Blockbuster movies like Smokescreen, Wardzee, Nightfall,Tenacity, Rose on a grave and a handful of others; TV series in the likes of CiteMalingo, Bad Angel, Rumble, multiple award-winning Samba; and several Filmfestivals and movie Awards notably the Canal d’or Awards, Ecran Noir Filmfestival and the fast-growing Cameroon International Film Festival which hasbeen badly affected by the ongoing Anglophone crisis.
As it may be true that western style cinemas halls may never survive in Cameroon, it is worth noting that countless local production units are flourishing in Cameroon prominently the coming of the BT media group promoting over 7 satellite TV channels primarily geared towards reviving the Cameroon Home movie culture.
The advantage of such grass root entrepreneurs is that they provide employment to the ever-rising jobless population, they answer to the demands of the local clients, and they are very dynamic, adapting to the reality on the ground. .
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