Cinema Culture: Back with bang and glamour
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Lagos of 1970s and 1980s boasts of cinemas that include Roxy Cinema Apapa, Casino Cinema Yaba, Plaza Cinema Lagos Island, Pen Cinema Agege and Super Cinema Surulere, where lovers hold hands and whisper sweet nothings to each other while watching the big screen. These cinemas were also a sort of family rendezvous.
Found in every part (including Mushin and Ajegunle) Lagos, these cinema halls gradually lost relevance and disappeared from the nation's socio-cultural terrain under two decades. For instance, the popular Apapa based Roxy Cinema is a Pentecostal church today.
The last to lose relevance was the National Theatre Lagos, a multiplex which has the biggest cinema halls in the country. Though the structure still stands, it is a shadow of its once glorious self. All it could attract is a declining Sunday crowd, courtesy of Yoruba home videos producers. No world class block buster has premiered there in years.
What caused the decline?
It is believed that the mismanaged economy and the austerity measure of the Shehu Shagari administration of early 1980s sounded the death knell of cinema in Nigeria. Cinema thrives on the buying power of the masses and they were worst affected by the country's ailing economy.
Another school of thought says that the emergence of home video and the insecurity of life and property synonymous with subsequent military regime that came on board after the Shagari regime interred the remains of cinema culture in the country.
Back with a bang!
Lagos, as well as other parts of Nigeria did not have a decent cinema hall until three years ago when the Ben Murray- Bruce led Silverbird Group set up the upscale Silverbird Galleria in Lagos.
Different from the 1980s cinema, the five-screen Silverbird Cineplex has plush seats, lights illuminating the floor and is serviced by an escalator, quick service restaurants and a cinema shop.
Almost a year later, following the success of the Silverbird Galleria, the City Mall cinema made its debut. Located within the cultural precinct of Onikan, the City Mall also rate high in majestic grandeur. It is not a far cry from the upscale Silverbird Galleria.
South Africa's Nu Metro Home Entertainment, owners of the Nu Metro Cinema joined the fray next. Also located on Lagos Island, the same axis with the Silverbird Galleria and City Mall, the Nu Metro Cineplex comprise of six theatres and has a relaxed interior of international standard.
Found in every part (including Mushin and Ajegunle) Lagos, these cinema halls gradually lost relevance and disappeared from the nation's socio-cultural terrain under two decades. For instance, the popular Apapa based Roxy Cinema is a Pentecostal church today.
The last to lose relevance was the National Theatre Lagos, a multiplex which has the biggest cinema halls in the country. Though the structure still stands, it is a shadow of its once glorious self. All it could attract is a declining Sunday crowd, courtesy of Yoruba home videos producers. No world class block buster has premiered there in years.
What caused the decline?
It is believed that the mismanaged economy and the austerity measure of the Shehu Shagari administration of early 1980s sounded the death knell of cinema in Nigeria. Cinema thrives on the buying power of the masses and they were worst affected by the country's ailing economy.
Another school of thought says that the emergence of home video and the insecurity of life and property synonymous with subsequent military regime that came on board after the Shagari regime interred the remains of cinema culture in the country.
Back with a bang!
Lagos, as well as other parts of Nigeria did not have a decent cinema hall until three years ago when the Ben Murray- Bruce led Silverbird Group set up the upscale Silverbird Galleria in Lagos.
Different from the 1980s cinema, the five-screen Silverbird Cineplex has plush seats, lights illuminating the floor and is serviced by an escalator, quick service restaurants and a cinema shop.
Almost a year later, following the success of the Silverbird Galleria, the City Mall cinema made its debut. Located within the cultural precinct of Onikan, the City Mall also rate high in majestic grandeur. It is not a far cry from the upscale Silverbird Galleria.
South Africa's Nu Metro Home Entertainment, owners of the Nu Metro Cinema joined the fray next. Also located on Lagos Island, the same axis with the Silverbird Galleria and City Mall, the Nu Metro Cineplex comprise of six theatres and has a relaxed interior of international standard.
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