Every year in March, women put on their caps of reflection. Their reflections are varied and span across a wide range of topical issues they deem are affecting the womenfolk. These reflections and the issues are as vast as the mediums through which the way forward is charted. Over the years, it's been through conferences, songs, publications, etc. - the ultimate goal being to re-establish the pride observers think women have been robbed of.
This year, from all indications, a movie will be the flag bearer for the women's month - March. Incidentally, the said movie is suggestively titled Woman, a Goretti Etchu-Egbe production that is awaited by Cameroonians at home and Cameroonian communities abroad with immeasurable anxiety.
"I'm a devout advocate for the woman , so when I came across the movie on Facebook, it caught my attention immediately,"Claudine, an Ohio-based Kenyan told TIPTOPSTARS. She went on: "I just can't wait to watch Woman."
On her part, Mildred thinks that the title of the movie alone is such that any woman who bothers about the problems their kind face would not rest their minds, until they have watched the upcoming movie. "That's why I await it with my eyes wide open," the Cameroonian who lives in Columbus, USA told us.
"Well, with Jeffery Epule, Charlotte Dipanda, Ruth Nkwenti and Goretti Etchu-Egbe, explain why one should not be eager to watch Woman, I can't just wait," Paulette said. According to the young Cameroonian who told TIPTOPSTARS she is also an enthusiast when it comes to women's right, any movie that treats a gender-related theme falls within her scope of preference. Woman, Paulette mentioned, is therefore her kind of movie, even when she hasn't viewed it yet.
Just like Claudine, Mildred and Paulette, scores of anxiously waiting potential viewers of Woman, some of them via social media, have shown concern for this project which pundits are already conjecturing, may be one of the best things to happen to the film industry in Cameroon this year.
Whether their expectations vis-a-vis the story in the movie or its technical and artistic quality, will be met, is what would only be determined upon the release of Woman. But if we depended on the makers of the upcoming Cameroonian movie,Woman addresses some common issues however, brilliantly packaged cinematographically to create an indelible impact on its audience. That rich lessons would be learned through the outright condemnation of lust which should not be mistaken for love is what the makers of Woman intend to vehicle across. That the failure of betrayal as a ploy to succeed would be overtly exposed, is what the makers of the movie intend to do.
According to the story, the matrimonial happiness of a Pediatrician (male) and a
Marketing Executive (female) with two children is hacked by a pharmacist intruder who is fond of doing that. On the other plot, the Pediatrician's friend and his female friend for years now are in commotion because the man won't legalize the relationship.
The dynamics of these two relationships sets the tone for Woman as a thought-provoking and in-your-face film that will leave audiences either resolved or riled up, the Woman communication team wrote.
Written and produced by Goretti Etchu-Egbe, Woman is directed by Florence Nkeng, starring Epule Jeffrey , Goretti Etch-Egbe, Ruth Nkweti Charlotte and Gobina Charlotte.
Woman will be officially released on March 4, 201`6 at a premiere billed for Odeon Cinema, Greenwich, Bugsby Way, London, SE 10 OQJ. Its producer, Goretti Etchu-Egbe will be throwing more light on Woman on Apex 1 Radio (www.apex1radio.com) in the coming weeks.
Last Updated on Wednesday, 03 February 2016 07:03
10Oct
Russian Roulette producer, director, talks about movie
Tabifor King
Saturday, 10 October 2015 13:57
Tabifor King (TK): We notice you have a strong drive towards the movie Russian roulette which you are producing. What sparked the idea of the film and why the title?
Tebo Njei (TN): Well, I'm only one of four Producers on the project under the production entity Lapin Rouge.
Films. Russian Roulette is the brainchild of Chenui Franzel, a young brilliant writer whose initial untitled draft of the movie caught my attention as prime entertainment material. Since then we collaborated on the later drafts of the screenplay and the title became the perfect choice since
the story's plot runs around the infamously dangerous game believed to have originated from nineteenth century Russia. We wanted to explore how easy it is to make dangerous choices that may later prove difficult to extricate oneself from and how sometime one's objectivity could be misguided by fictional misperceptions. The movie is also fueled by our singular desire to do something new and different that would shade more credible light on us as creators.
TK: What has been the experience you have had in pulling together both the team and the technical equipment for the upcoming movie?
The project has been quite revealing as well as unnerving. Revealing because it has brought us in contact with some very like-minded and equally passionate filmmakers who share our enthusiasm to tell this story to the best of their ability. We recognized the enormous task and
skill Russian Roulette needs to take off and the crew comprises some of the best technically savvy filmmakers we could find in the industry. Scouting and gathering appropriate equipment, on the other hand, has been quite unnerving. Our gear choices have been based on the narrative dimensions of the film, meaning acquiring certain special equipment necessary to bring to life the stylized look of the movie has been pretty challenging considering the limited budget at our means; although we are hoping to change that with the involvement of sponsors, businesses and partners. There is this palaver about the business world and corporate milieu not supporting the production process of Cameroonian films.
TK: What is your take on that? Is it your experience?Let's be clear about one thing: Corporate organizations are not by themselves altruistic but work to meet certain business objectives which are often geared toward profit maximization or marketing gains of a certain kind. In the event where investment in mainstream entertainment seems a good strategic direction with potential benefits to the business, there is the likelihood that such opportunities will be exploited. Haven said that, personally I feel businesses can seize the opportunities we offer in Russian Roulette. The movie promises to appeal to a wide audience spectrum and we have excellent
opportunities for product placement businesses can benefit from. The character of Jerry is strong, wealthy and successful and audiences will root to his course. Attaching a strong brand to his lifestyle and commanding behavior will not only meet a corporate marketing goal but
reinforce the narrative strength of the movie. Russian Roulette is also a formidable corporate PR opportunity. The numbers that have so far been associated to the project is only suggestive of the sheer attention the movie will generate once released.
TK: What extraordinary aspect should the audience expect from the movie?
TN: I don't want to overstate it but Russian Roulette is a film that will keep film lovers entertained from opening to ending credits. The audience should expect to see some multidimensional characters and a layered sub textual narrative.
TK: A movie is the brains that work behind it. Which faces are we buying tickets and CDs to see?
TK: Who are you working with?
TN: We are very fortunate to have been able associate critically acclaimed cast to Russian Roulette. Everyone single member of the cast came onboard once they read the script and have since showed significant interest in the movie. We are so proud of the calibre of actors that will appear in the film and we can't wait to see them at work once the cameras roll. Their resumes include appearances in national and internationally acclaimed films with nominations and accolades from some prestigious industry award competitions to validate their work. Audiences
will be seeing the masterful work of Anurin Nwunembom, Sophy Aiida, Allian Bomo Bomo, Nkanya Nkwai, Nsang Dilong and Neba Godwill all appearing for the first time together on the
same project.
TK: You have created an impact on the cyberspace precisely on social media. Tell us about it. Tell us how you get support for this movie that requires a substantial budget.
TN: Our online presence has been of primary importance to the project. The goal has always been generate as much public support as we possibly can. And by that we mean all the likes and shares Russian Roulette needs to make it a success. We currently have more than 1000 likes
on the movie's official Facebook page; a fit we were able to achieve in just about 60 days of the project's launch online. We are appealing to all fans, followers, supporters and movie lovers to
hit the "Like" button on the page and tell a friend to tell a friend. We are also asking them to follow us on Twitter and Instagram for all the recent updates on Russian Roulette.
TK: Our appetite is whet. What is happening now? When can we begin to expect the release?
TN: We are in the process of negotiating and finalizing key production details. We are also hoping to commence principal photography by the end of October if we are able to log the needed production requirements by that time.
·
Last Updated on Saturday, 10 October 2015 14:02
18Apr
Retour: C-Boyz release Feel My Pain today
Ernest Kanjo
Saturday, 18 April 2015 20:11
When TIPTOPSTARS talked to C-Boyz and the group’s manager sometime ago, they made a promise that the world would hear from them not long from then. Bonaventure Jr., 11, one of the band’s singers and Marie Ndapqwe, manager-mum, went further to indicate that the next single was going to make much musical sense, both in its technical quality and artistic (lyrics) showdown. They were not only certain this was going to be the case, but were also determined to make this dream a reality. True to their words, their promise has been fulfilled and dream met.
Feel My Pain, the said single, is a masterpiece. “When I listened to the song for the first, I skipped and shouted – I couldn’t believe those kids were the ones doing it,” a Feel My Pain reviewer told us at press time. “It’s a brilliant piece of work that will certainly go places and I subscribe to it fully,” he went on.
To another reviewer, Feel My Pain’s video is so compatible to the lyrics of the track and meets high standards. “I watched it over and over and got really fascinated – I was at one moment almost stating that it was too good to be true for tender artists like the C-Boyz,” he explained.
Recorded in a Minnesota studio, Feel My Pain is written and the video directed by Francis Sampah. It is a compassion song that extends love to the less privileged. “There are many homeless people of all ages. These people go through a lot of hazardous moments and usually we neglect them simply because we do not know what they go through exactly. We are asking those who are lucky to be comfortable to halt for a moment and try to put themselves in the shoes of the have-nots or even try to imagine what these people face. So Feel My Pain is a clarion call for us to consider the less privilege and stretch a helping hand,” C-Boyz explained the meaning of the track to us.
According to the manager of the duo, the video concept is a great one that was worked upon by Sampah with the assistance of Bespontube Entertainment.“It’s shot on locations in Minnesota and will be available on Youtube, TIPTOPSTARS - www.tiptopstars.com and our website. Eventually, we will get the track on DVD,” Ndapqwe told us.
Produced by CBoyz Entertainment, the 4.44 minutes-long track (also said to be a true life story) is expected to precede another single Thank God, the child band will be releasing in the next couple of months. But before then, Bon Jr. (as the elder singer is affectionately called) and Denzel, 9, are grateful to fans and friends for the overt love they have shown them this far.
“While hoping they’ll enjoy Feel My Pain, we want to thank our fans for the continuous support and believing in the C-Boyz. We look forward to continue providing them with good music. Special thanks to TIPTOPSTARS for all your support. God bless you,” Bon Jr. said.
For more information about the C-Boyz and their latest single, contact:
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Last Updated on Saturday, 18 April 2015 21:32
12Apr
Sovereignty: NAGCAM-USA announces gigantic movie project
Ernest Kanjo
Sunday, 12 April 2015 11:50
From all indications, Cameroon will sooner than imagined, be celebrating what is already conjectured, within film circles, to be the biggest movie project done by its diaspora. The said movie whose title is yet to be disclosed, will be solely produced by the National Actors’ Guild of Cameroon, NAGCAM-USA.
The project had been discussed preliminarily on the heels of the coming into office of a new administration, but a final decision on it was taken at an enlarged meeting in Maryland this Saturday, April 11, 2015.
According to NAGCAM-USA, the movie whose story is written by actress Taka Tanni (also heading the project) will have an entirely Cameroonian cast and crew. “We are strict on that because we are starting a new era in the African film landscape during which time, we intend to show the world how much we count in the art of acting,” Terence N. Limona, NAGCAM-USA branch president told TIPTOPSTARS.
Also justifying the decision to embark on such a huge project, the NAGCAM-USA guild boss said his group has negotiated a sharp bend in the tedious journey of the growth of the Cameroonian film industry. Hear Limona: “We have ceased being a guild that only talks – we have now subscribed to action.” “We want to provide a good reason for actors to want to belong and can only do that in the way we know best.”
That best way, NAGCAM-USA agreed, is by producing a movie that will exceptionally have all its members in the cast displaying their inert talents.
On her part, the project’s coordinator, Taka Tanni explained that she is very excited, but at the same time has her heart giving a lot of room to anxiety. “I call it a sovereign responsibility and will take it a seriously like I never did before,” she told TIPTOPSTARS. “I understand how heavy the load is, but the love I have for Cameroon and the support I’m going to get from the NAGCAM-USA, will be enough to inspire me,” said the actress with a huge film count to her credit.
Taka told us that the script is well crafted to suit the context of the movie – a huge cast. It’s not been decided yet who will do what especially as far as the crew is concerned, but working with several Cameroonian directors at a blow is not rolled out. “We want everyone to bring forth their ideas and believe that coming together as a large group would work to our favour,” she explained.
Despite the fact that the movie will be an everybody’s thing (financed by the entire group), Taka cautioned, roles will be dished out as they fit into the skills of those to perform them. “It’s going to be a measuring rod project, so we are bound to correct some of the wrongs we have regularly been frowned at for committing in our movies,” said the actress.
When the movie project will kick off, where exactly it will be shot, how much money will be turned in to run its cost, are what we will be informed about in the next couple of days. But according to Limona, the NAGCAM-USA movie will be ready for consumption this summer. “We can assure you on that,” he stated.
This project comes after the kick-off of a similar one announced by Cameroon Film Industry, CFI in 2014, is still being awaited. The said project was the idea of Chad-based Cameroonian producer Fred Kenyanti.
On another score, participants at the NAGCAM-USA meeting decided that the group will create an emergency fund to henceforth provide much-needed support when an industry colleague becomes challenged by health issues or gets into some difficulty. Accountability and transparency will be primordial, they agreed.
Also, NAGCAM-USA will spearhead the creation of a website on which film industry information will be displayed.
The Maryland meeting comes less than two months after a new bureau was voted in to henceforth manage the affairs of NAGCAM-USA. To the group’s pilot, the success of the MD meeting is a signal that the group is bent on giving the industry a bright coloration. “I’m quite satisfied, not only with the attendance, but with the fruitful deliberations we had. I saw the zeal in my actors, the determination, committed spirit and that tell me that we are ready to succeed. I’m a proud president,” Limona explained.
To Nathalie Bih, Treasurer and Beatrice Nwana, Secretary, the maiden come-together was a satisfactory beginning and will act as a great motivation to both bureau members. “We have a group we can count on and will give in our best to compensate our actors for this newfound spirit of determination. Kudos to the actors,” Nwana said.
Last Updated on Sunday, 12 April 2015 13:17
08Apr
NAGCAM-USA: Crucial meeting poised to decide actors’ fate
Ernest Kanjo
Wednesday, 08 April 2015 22:27
Movie actors of Cameroonian origin, living in the United States of America, will converge on Maryland this Saturday, April 11, 2015, for a come-together members of the National Actors’ Guild of Cameroon, NAGCAM-USA have described as crucial. It will be the first meeting since a new team (headed by Terence N. Limona) to pilot to affairs of the syndicate was voted in on February 28 this year.
According to officials of NAGCAM-USA, Saturday’s meeting will be a pacesetting medium for salient issues concerning the running of the syndicate as well as career of actors. To deliberate on such issues, the actors will primordially be looking at the NAGCAM constitution which is supposed to be amended (by a Constitutional Committee) to suit the whims and caprices of NAGCAM-USA’s working environment.
The meeting, TIPTOPSTARS has been told, will also be deliberating on NAGCAM-USA membership which goes beyond just belonging, but being active in terms of registering and participating in guild activities. In a related development, financial accounts for the organization will be tabled for deliberation, we were told.
Also, the actors who will be drawn from all corners of the USA for Saturday’s meeting will have the task of deciding on what to do to create a NAGCAM-USA website and how best to run it. Visibility has been a major task for the group and the actors think it is time to do more public relations. A website to that effect will add to the other promotion platforms already existing to propel them to greater recognition.
Perhaps, one of the key point on the NAGCAM-USA come-together will be an envisage project whose details the guild wouldn’t want to provide prematurely. But from every indication, it will be a moving-shaking one, which will make Terence N. Limona and his actors proud.
It is at the April 11 NAGCAM-USA meeting that some Cameroonian actors in the USA will be meeting each other for the first time, in a country where tight schedules make it difficult for physical meetings to take place. That explains why ahead of the meeting, there has been a lot of excitement amongst the movie stars. “I can’t wait to be in MD this Saturday,” one of them expressed her anxiety. “This is a golden opportunity for me to meet some of the colleagues whom I have only known via social media or occasional telephone conversations,” she went further.
To one other Ohio-based actress, a maiden meeting with the President of NAGCAM-USA would be a great thing. “T-Boy is one great personality and we’re lucky to have him running the affairs of NAGCAM-USA. It would be a great honour to meet him physically,” she told TIPTOPSTARS.
Meanwhile, it is expected that far-reaching decisions will be taken at the meeting as regards the status of Cameroonian actors in the USA who are still noticed more in the background especially in mix-casts projects, despite their great set performance. Also, will some A-list USA-based Cameroonian actresses, regularly hired for foreign projects join NAGCAM-USA to share their experiences? Why have they opted to stay away from the organization and would rather identify with Nollywood or Hollywood despite several invitations? Would NAGCAM-USA develop some stringent measures that would regulate actors’ activities in a bid to ensure probity and syndicate obligations? These and more of such questions would certainly be answered at the April 1 meeting to be presided at by Terence N. Limona. Also, lasting solutions to such problems may just be the leeway to a fruitful NAGCAM-USA adventure.
Section Blog 
Every year in March, women put on their caps of reflection. Their reflections are varied and span across a wide range of topical issues they deem are affecting the womenfolk. These reflections and the issues are as vast as the mediums through which the way forward is charted. Over the years, it's been through conferences, songs, publications, etc. - the ultimate goal being to re-establish the pride observers think women have been robbed of.
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