TIPTOPSTARS

One of the best things ever in the Cameroonian film industry is about to happen. That the celebrated director Neba Lawrence gets on board with camera maestro Wa’a Musi and two of the most talented actors, Moma Pascal aka Bob and Solange Yijika, is enough reason to conjecture a big seller Cameroonian movie. A big seller movie is what the still-to-come Troubled Kingdom can confidently be described as, even before the world gets to meet this other proudly made in Cameroon production.

It’s just a couple of days ago that the production crew of the movie completed its shooting assignment on Yaounde locations, yet the appetite for Troubled Kingdom seems to be growing faster than expected. “I can’t wait to watch Troubled Kingdom and the reason is simple; it’s directed by someone whose works have always received a huge acclamation and caught my attention particularly,” a third year University of Buea, Cameroon student told us, referring to Neba Lawrence. “Also with Solange Yijika featuring, there is no doubt that it’s going to be a fantastic job,” Anita added.

Like Anita, there are countless fans of Cameroonian movies who would react in like manner to the just-shot movie whose co-producer Fred Keyanti is back to South Africa where he resides after a brief stay in Yaounde. From Cape Town, Fred told TIPTOPSTARS Editor that Troubled Kingdom will see the light of day in early April, just a couple of weeks from now. “This will be soon after post-production, expected to take place in Cameroon, South Africa and Nigeria,” he said.

Inspired by the love for his country, Fred told us he brought the Troubled Kingdom project to Cameroon and not South Africa or the USA where his co-producer Sanda Mairo resides because “we got all it takes to make a good movie,” as he put it. “Making the movie in South Africa or the USA would not have translated the message of our cultures adequately,” he went on. To the South Africa-based producer who is also a PhD student in Law, it was also a way or investing back home.

But what did it take to get through with the pre-production phase of Troubled Kingdom? “It took us time to get every thing in place,” Fred told us. He explained further: “It wasn’t quite easy to get all the locations and other things, but we finally made it, thanks to the director Neba Lawrence, production manager Chiatoh Collins and actor Moma Pascal. Financially, I’d say we spent an approximate amount of 3.5 million FCFA.”

Written by Fred Keyanti, the film recounts the story of a kingdom, ravaged by social mishaps said to be coming from a princess born out of wedlock abroad while the king was still a prince. The princess who stayed all her life abroad suddenly visits her kingdom, but would refuse to respect the customs and traditions of the land. Trouble sets in as she commits more and more abominable acts. She dies, killed by her own brother Prince James who wants to appease the gods and ancestors before taking the throne.

In the 70 to 76 minutes long film, the author exploits the themes of love and western civilization life versus African traditional values. Upon completion of the post-production, Troubled Kingdom will be premiered in Cameroon, USA and South Africa. “It will subsequently be premiered in the UK, Belgium and Netherlands,” Fred Keyanti who is also the producer of Xplosif Choppers, another Cameroonian movie in gestation announced. Amongst other countries, the Cam Movie & Entertainment Pro

movie will be circulated in Nigeria, Ghana and Liberia.

Featuring in Troubled Kingdom are Moma Pascal aka Bob, Solange Yijika, Mairo Sanda (US-based Cameroonian actress), Chiatoh Collins, Nchifor Valery, Solange Ojong, Abgor Madeleine aka Mummy Meg, Ruth Nkwenti, Jazzy Jeff, Solan – Fred Keyanti amongst others

Victor Viyuoh might have been living in the USA for a long while now, but the film maker has remained firmly attached to his roots. He sharply recalls happenings during his days in Sabga, a small Mbororo settlement along the Bamenda-Ndop highway in the North West region of Cameroon. As a young person growing up there, Viyuoh recalls that his counterparts suffered under the weight of social sins committed against them. One of such ills was early marriage and a particular case keeps thriving in his mind. It is this case the Los Angeles-based producer/director is regurgitating in an up-coming Cameroonian movie. “It’s a true story, based on facts. It happened in Sabga, where I grew up,” Viyuoh told TIPTOPSTARS Editor on the line to Los Angeles.

Editing of the movie, Ninah’s Dowry is currently going on in the USA. “By April, we intend to release Ninah’s Dowry,” Viyuoh revealed.

The movie recounts the story of Ninah who at a tender age of 20 is mother of three. She was forced in early marriage seven years ago, yet this relationship shows no signs of a better future. When news of her dad’s hospice illness reaches her, Ninah defies her husband and goes to speak her mind to the man who put her in such a matrimonial bondage. Upon her father's death, the youthful wife and mother decides to return home no more, but stays back to run a small restaurant. Another dramatic episode comes up when Ninah’s husband later learns of his wife's pregnancy. Mad in anger, the provoked husband comes to get one of two things – the dowry he paid on her or the woman he has owned all these years. How will this happen? The rest of the story is told in this 95-minutes film shot in Sabga.

The production of Ninah’s Dowry movie has not been problem-free. “We would have loved to have more financially comfortable than we were, especially during the shooting phase,” the film director told us. "If you want to consider the money actually spent
on production and post items, including the director's flight, it would be
around $50,000. But if you want to include the cost of equipment, shipping and clearing at the
seaport in Douala and expenses incurred on two previous attempts to film, the
budget becomes more like $150,000," Viyuoh explained further. Other logistical problems, independent of Fintu Films (the production house under whose banner Ninah’s Dowry is produced) delayed the making of the movie originally billed for 2007. However, the cast selected made up for the difficulties encountered. “The actors were remarkably brilliant on set and I must say I was quite satisfied with their performance,” said Viyuoh of the movie’s cast.

According to the film maker, Ninah’s Dowry which is done is English, pidgin and Babanki will be premiered in Los Angeles for the USA and possibly Yaounde and Buea for Cameroon. “Thereafter, we shall plunge the movie into circulation in the US, Europe, Central and West Africa,” Viyuoh explained. The director of the up-coming Cameroonian movie also told TIPTOPSTARS that Fintu Films intends to submit Ninah’s Dowry for film festivals around the world.

Directed by Victor Viyuoh, Ninah’s Dowry is produced by Rolland Affuombue, Che Hilarious, Hasumati Patel and Daniel Tan. Starring in the movie are Nkwah Kingsley, Anurin Nwunembom, Mbufung Seikeh, Kecha Nobert.