Nollywood filmmaker Kunle Afolayan is facing backlash on social media after viral clips from recent events showed him making indirect snide remarks at female filmmakers, Funke Akindele and Toyin Abraham.
In one widely shared video from an event for his project Anikulapo, Afolayan stated: “I don’t want 1 or 2 billion in cinema, that I won’t be able to receive 10 million out of it… there is zero competition.” Many interpreted this as a subtle shade toward Funke Akindele whose film often achieve high box office figures through cinema runs.
Another clip trending shows the iconic filmmaker saying: “Why I don’t make cinema movies?? If you can guarantee me that I won’t have to dance to sell it, then I’ll do it again.”
This drew criticism for dismissing the promotional efforts including energetic dances, skit making to promote the movie and public appearances a tactics many female filmmakers, particularly Funke Akindele and Toyin Abraham use to drive ticket sales and build hype.
Netizens accused him of arrogance, undermining the hustle of others in the industry, and implying superiority in choosing alternative distribution paths (like streaming deals with Netflix in the past).
The comment section varies with many calling his comments and iota of hatred and jealousy and some slammed him for trying to downplay the females efforts to build their path in film making.
@DevanHunan said “It’s shade. Kunle Afolayan released a movie in the cinemas last year, didn’t promote it, refused to promote it and it was pulled out of the cinema viewing after a month because no one was watching it.”
Another user @Chief Ikukuoma said: “Why does he sound like someone who is hating?”
However, not all users were against the filmmaker’s statement as some pointed out that Afolayan who is one of the early advocates for cinema releases in Nollywood, was highlighting the financial realities where big grosses don’t always translate to big pockets for producers due to cinemas taking large cuts.
