Following the debut of a new soap midwifed by Adebayo Salami, Joke Silva and Tunde Kelani, Nigerian television and movie enthusiasts should look forward to a new experience in educational entertainment.
Entitled TANGLED, the film will change the way we look at the world, especially, Nigeria's political space. Far from the pack of addictive and shallow television soaps, Tangled is the first of TV productions of the Malete Film Village, located in Kwara State. It is conceived to bring about social change.
Scripted by Dele Gbadebo the soap is directed by one of Nigeria’s indigenous actors and directors, Muyiwa Ademola, ably assisted by Tope Adebayo and, yet another Nollywood cineaste, screen expert and academic, Emeka Dibia Emelobe.
TANGLED is a story of tact, fate and the consequences of human actions in the face of selfish desires. It illustrates the conflicts that ensue between two determined figures: one who intends to obtain political power at all costs in order to perpetrate acts of decadence, and another who altruistically wishes to serve and entrench the ultimate standards of humanitarian ideals, beliefs and foster national development.
The production is evolving at a crucial time when Nigeria is going through all sorts of transitions: politically and economically.
With this imaginative depiction of reality, TANGLED is not only destined to instigate Nigerians and our political leaders to reflect on their attitudes towards engendering what is best for Nigeria; but also, as one of the big shots behind this production Adebayo Salami (who is the main producer, and veteran film actor of long standing) puts it, “bound to give credibility to the development and reputation of Nollywood.”
Before the commencement of this project and at the period of its conception, the expertise of ace filmmaker Kelani, who also serves as technical supervisor, had come to bare, alongside with the administrative prowess of the director of the Malete Film Village, Joke Silva and also Salami, who is the producer. This team, in a statement signed by Tunde Onikoyi of the Film and Film Unit, Kwara State University, has inspired a rare determination towards TANGLED.
It is also significant to mention that the production has been made possible with the massive support of Kwara State University and its Film and Film Unit, providing all the filming equipment to execute the project.
The objective here, according to the Vice-Chancellor Prof Rasheed Na’Allah, is to bridge the gap between the town and gown, the professionals and academics.” The idea has played out successfully.
Not only was the story conceived by lecturers of the School of Visual and Performing Arts such Dr Yemi Atanda, Mr Emeka Emelobe, Mr Tunde Onikoyi and Mrs Abiola Fashoranti, but students who desire a career in film from the school are currently taking part in the production, either as supporting actors or crew members.
The series will feature familiar faces of Nollywood such as: Adebayo Salami, Joke Silver, Antar Laniyan, Yemi Solande, Femi Adebayo, Kate Adepegba, Deji Adenuga, Ayo Adesanya, Fathia Balogun, Bukola Ogunnote and many others whose potentials of stellar performances surpass our mere anticipation and expectations.
With the crop of actors and crew members that have flooded its domain, ‘Nollywood’s winds’ is bound to make a rare impression, as Tangled hits your screen soon.
•Photo shows TANGLED crew.
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