Home Archives Buea in the frame
Buea in the frame
Ernest Kanjo / Monday, 07 June 2010 12:45

Not_My_Will.74REIt is much easier to talk about the university when Buea is mentioned. Fewer Cameroonians are yet to be aware that the South West regional headquaters is fast growing in filmmaking. Yet, that is the truth. That Buea can be cited today when it comes to film production is something to write home about. Let us look at some of the pallatable stories that have happened here within the last five years, if we must establish a reason for Buea's coming into the limelight.

In late 2004, one of Buea's most prominent film producers, Agbor Gilbert shipped in Nollywood's Zack Orji, Olu Jacobs and Dakore Egbuson into Buea to shoot a movie. Together with Cameroon's Ivan Namme (doing the lead role), the movie stars attracted public attention and that was the beginning of a newfound interest in what was happening in the industry. Before the Sunrise, the end product later became a much-talked about movie and till date, one of the most successful Cameroon-Nigeria co-productions ever. The movie was shot on locations in Buea and Limbe and premiered in Yaounde in 2005.

Inspired, many more young film producers, directors, actors and production outfits have emerged from Buea. Producer Itambi Delphine is one of the daring young girls Buea is today proud of. Her maiden production, A Woman's World has not left anyone indifferent. "When I look at Itambi, I see a visionary young female Cameroonian whose dreams and efforts will caterpult this industry to greater heights,'' said a journalist recently about the producer of A Woman's World, who is also a very talented actress. Recently, at a workshop in Buea, Itambi held journalists spellbound when she presented the film landscape in Cameroon, expressing disappointment in the lacklustre attitude of the media. The young Buea-based film producer is currently mapping out her next movie project.

Working closely with Itambi is Anthony Kamwa, one of Buea's most prominent film directors. Having masterminded several film projects, Kamwa's ingenuity keeps filmmaking in Buea alive. His works have caught the attention of the German cultural centre, Goethe-Institut Kamerun who have feature the Buea film director in some of their programmes including the monthly "Film Klub" in Yaounde and a workshop in Bamenda bringing together filmmakers from English and French-speaking Cameroon and Nigeria.

As Buea grows, film production studios also make their way in. One of them is the now famous Blue Drops Studio, situated at the student stronghold, Molyko. Run by Wegmuller Ikome, Blue Drops has stood out as the pivot in video production in the town of Buea. One would vividly recall Not My Will, a lates movie (to be premiered in June) that has been the talk of the country in recent weeks. The Wegmuller film features stars such as Afro jazz singer Achalle, Belleh Asong, Eka Christa, Constantine Mbom of STV, Ayukachem Stephen (Maru Gatscaya), Sley, Bright Phase and BAAM. Not My Will is edited by Njukeng George, also reputed as one of Buea's leading film editors and D.O.Ps.

Meanwhile, Buea undoutedly leads as far as film equipment is concerned. Ntoko Media is a household name. Established over a year and the half ago, the film equipment outfit run by Ntoah Epitime is an assurance that movies produced in Buea and why not Cameroon will henceforth meet international standards, technically. The young filmmaker, also a producer (watch Total Stranger shot in London) is on the road to organising the first ever film carnival in Cameroon. The event will be coming up soon.

Perhaps, one of the best stories about films in Buea is the town's distribution outfit. Today Magic Touch is meeting point of Cameroonian movies and their makers. With the absence of a visible publicity medium for Cmaeroonian movies, Magic Touch has been playing that role for quite some time now. Its proprietor, Nche Francis will always be remembered for his unquantifiable contribution to the development of the industry. Nche also runs a branch of Magic Touch in Yaounde.

Buea's exciting growth in film production is what would have attracted organisers of the annual Fako Film Festival, today rated among the prestigious film events in the country. It takes place every April at the Franco Alliance Camerounaise in Buea and brings together movies and filmmakers in Fako Division. Two of Cameroon's luminary film critics, Jean-Marie Mollo and Telesphore Mba Bizo sit on the jury of the festival.

Such enviable achievements are what Mungwa Eric, newly elected Cameroon Film Industry (CFI) Buea zone president is challenged to consolidate. Speaking in Buea last week, Mungwa promised Buea is going to stand strong and dish out good quality films that will quench the thirst of Cameroonian movie lovers. "This requires good organisation and a censors board is not out of question,'' he told reporters as he took office.





Tags

TTS/MTDV ARCHIVES

K-Town: Rita Zembe’s Right Zeal

K-Town: Rita Zembe’s Right Zeal

Little did Rita Zembe’s dad know his little daughter, though little was eyeing her father’s thing – drama. Before he knew it, his daughter was already pulling school crowds who... Read more

Ernest Kanjo Be the first to comment! 14 Mar 2011 Hits:13287 MOVIE STARS

94TH OSCARS: CAMEROONIAN MOVIE SELECTED

94TH OSCARS: CAMEROONIAN MOVIE SELECTED

94TH OSCARS: CAMEROONIAN MOVIE SELECTED About this time last year, Fisherman’s Diary, produced by Kang Quintus and directed by Enah Johnscott brought excitement to movie lovers when it was selected for... Read more

TTS Be the first to comment! 13 Nov 2021 Hits:2489 Latest

FOCUS ON FRANKA FAITH: FIRST QUESTION

FOCUS ON FRANKA FAITH: FIRST QUESTION

01 You’re just back from Maryland where you were engaged in a studio session to record your maiden single. How was this first-time experience?ERNEST KANJO Read more

Ernest Kanjo Be the first to comment! 05 Oct 2014 Hits:6244 STAR CORNER

“Anything post-production is my thing” …

“Anything post-production is my thing”  -Achille Brice, film editing maestro, producer of Obsession

Everything post-production is his thing. This is a fact virtually everyone so attached to the film industry in Cameroon can attest. His name has now grown so big that at... Read more

Ernest Kanjo Comments(4) 23 Mar 2012 Hits:11295 STAR CORNER

Buea in the frame

Buea in the frame

It is much easier to talk about the university when Buea is mentioned. Fewer Cameroonians are yet to be aware that the South West regional headquaters is fast growing in... Read more

Ernest Kanjo Comments(1) 07 Jun 2010 Hits:41203 Movies

Missy BK goes philanthropic, creates fou…

Missy BK goes philanthropic, creates foundation

  She might not have emerged from a so-well-to-do background, yet Cameroonian Afro-pop singer Missy BK never lacked to a beggarly extent. However, she learned that sharing with those who... Read more

Ernest Kanjo Be the first to comment! 20 Dec 2014 Hits:8087 MOVIES

Cameroonian Obama Henry paves way for Af…

Cameroonian Obama Henry paves way for African action films

Obama Henry Aurelien boils with immeasurable ambition and determination. The young Cameroonian goes to bed each blessed day with a master plan which with an unending conviction, he hopes to... Read more

Ernest Kanjo Be the first to comment! 26 Jul 2011 Hits:8825 STAR CORNER

New mag extols Cameroonian youth

New mag extols Cameroonian youth

  A country whose youth is not progressive in its perception of life, is entangled in the web of a serious development crisis. The height of such crisis is the delay... Read more

Ernest Kanjo Be the first to comment! 14 Oct 2016 Hits:86226 Latest

CHALLENGES FOR THE AFRICAN ENTREPRENEUR …

CHALLENGES FOR THE AFRICAN ENTREPRENEUR -  SIPEC 2

"Networking is marketing. Marketing yourself, marketing your uniqueness, marketing what you stand for" Comaford-Lynch The second edition of the SIPEC networking events is about to kick off in a... Read more

TTS Be the first to comment! 24 Apr 2014 Hits:6150 Latest

Movies & Branding: Actors explain latest…

Movies & Branding: Actors explain latest modeling deal

It is not every day that a Cameroonian from the country’s film industry gets picked as a brand ambassador for a product or service that sells internationally. It becomes news... Read more

Ernest Kanjo Be the first to comment! 22 May 2020 Hits:3548 Latest

Cameroonian movie: On the Brim to spark …

Cameroonian movie: On the Brim to spark waves

Skeptics must now be drifting from their initially cold impression about Cameroonian home video. It’s clear the best pages of the art are being written now. The country is... Read more

Ernest Kanjo Comments(2) 16 Apr 2012 Hits:9719 MOVIES

Yaounde University band booms

Yaounde University band booms

If you are living in Yaounde, capital of Cameroon and want to get a feel of talent, go to the University of Yaounde I on Saturday afternoons. Follow the direction... Read more

Ernest Kanjo Be the first to comment! 07 Jun 2010 Hits:7956 Latest

Eyango – C-Boyz: Passing on professional…

Eyango – C-Boyz: Passing on professional know-how

That the Cameroonian music landscape is currently experiencing a reawakening is no longer news. From an easy look of things, there is a glaring revival which now seems to be... Read more

Ernest Kanjo Be the first to comment! 10 Oct 2015 Hits:12565 Latest

Ernest Kanjo’s farewell to Chinua, the g…

Ernest Kanjo’s farewell to Chinua, the giant Achebe

Shocked! That’s how I feel. That Chinua, the giant Achebe has fallen is no sweet news to me and surely to millions of literature lovers and fans of Achebe’s works.... Read more

Ernest Kanjo Be the first to comment! 22 Mar 2013 Hits:7217 Latest

From Extension 4 to Gymnastics

From Extension 4 to Gymnastics

Yet another Zigoto Tchaya Tchameni film! After Extension 4, Zigoto Tchaya Tchameni has done Gymnastics, another block buster. The film will be launched on Sunday 21 March 2010 at the... Read more

Ernest Kanjo Be the first to comment! 16 Mar 2010 Hits:11760 MOVIES

Emerging star: Klay Obi’s acting prowess

Emerging star: Klay Obi’s acting prowess

Klay Obi and acting are soul mates. The more he read Julius Caesar, William Shakespeare and other great playwrights, the more the anxiety to hit the drama stage grew in... Read more

Ernest Kanjo Comments(3) 20 Mar 2012 Hits:24353 STAR CORNER

One Day single: Afro beat singer champio…

One Day single: Afro beat singer champions hope course

The French would describe him as ‘artiste engage’ (committed artist). Nabstar is unarguably one! He definitely would not sing, if music were just to be for the sake of it.... Read more

Titus Banyoh Be the first to comment! 10 Jun 2014 Hits:6265 Latest

INRG-"Inventing a New Revolutionary Genr…

INRG-

 A provocative blend of Smooth Jazz, Classical, African, Reggae, Hip-Hop and R&B,  is that of the  Talented Musical Duo of the cameroonian Blaise Christian Sitchet "Le Grand Sitch"... Read more

TTS Be the first to comment! 05 May 2011 Hits:9713 INTERVIEWS

418293622 7484176181616363_8241778451874313913_n


LATEST COMMENTS

  • Well, I think the CEA was a very shallow and misgu... More...
  • This is creativity we are talking about, this are ... More...
  • Lovelyn,your pre-selection criterias are ok but i'... More...
  • camhood 4 the better More...
  • fame is gd More...
  • CONGRATULATION. THANK GOD FOR YOU GUYS. CAMEROON S... More...
  • cool girls dat was great but this year we the cons... More...