It is a season of emotions, slips and apologies. Just as many Nigerians were still pondering Oba of Lagos, HRM Rilwan Akiolu’s controversial statements on Lagos politics, award-winning film maker, Kunle Afolayan, also stepped on the toes of some of his colleagues some days ago.
Like many film/music producers and marketers that have been frustrated by piracy, it was apparently an overwhelmed Afolayan that, on Monday, posted a hot shot against pirates.
But the context in which he situated the problem is so sensitive that he earned queries from stakeholders of Igbo descent.
Afolayan said,
“It is a fact that most people pirating films are Igbo. One even threatened me after I seized my film from him. You want to know? Pirates already have October 1, and one is already threatening the distributor that they will release it this week.”
Among those who have admonished him is actress and producer, Uche Jombo. According to her, piracy is not a tribal thing. She argues in a Twitter post that it is awkward to insult Igbos about piracy as Nollywood’s success owes its growth to their activities.
She adds,
“Every film maker is sad about piracy. It is a war we will win one day. But, I repeat, piracy is not a tribal thing.”
Another actor, Ifeanyi Ikpoenyi, also moodily reacted to Afolayan, who has, however, apologised to the Igbo, saying he never meant to insult any race.
“I am a patriotic Nigerian. And that I portray in my films. Phone Swap is even more an Igbo film than any other tribe. Again, I am sorry.”
Ikpoenyi has also apologised to the producer of October 1.
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