I have come to realize that some people attribute the word “criticism” to negativity, but they are mistaken. While it is understandable to excuse this misconception in the field of sciences, those in social sciences, and especially Arts and Humanities, should know better.
Have they forgotten their training in literary criticism? Critics are not there to destroy your work; rather, they exist to improve it. Without critics, we would only have subpar works of art.
When you point out areas of improvement in a Nigerian movie, you’ll often hear objections claiming that western movies are never criticized in the same way. This is untrue. Western movies are frequently scrutinized by international critics, and producers take this feedback with respect and use it to improve.
As Nigerians, we care deeply about how our histories are portrayed to the world. Fictional works can be acted out with creative liberty, but historical works should involve thorough consultation with experts. Knowledgeable people about our histories still exist in villages, and professors of history, theatre, and anthropology can be found in places like Ilorin, Ibadan, Ife, Lagos, Kano, and Sokoto. Consult them!
If you lack knowledge in literature, history, and theatre, it might be easy to label any text or drama as a masterpiece. However, for those of us who have studied these fields, critiquing is an essential part of the arts. As long as works of art exist, criticism will too, and it is through this process that improvement will occur.
Stop bandying about the expression “stop destroying Nigerian works.” Our theatre practitioners have excelled in areas like acting and cinematography. However, they need to improve in consultation and research. You wouldn’t commend a bricklayer who built your house with visible defects just because you paid for it. Similarly, actors and actresses aren’t doing us a favor by making movies; it’s their job, and we pay by watching!
They owe us well-researched and accurately portrayed stories, especially when it comes to historical content. The bar should be set high, and constructive criticism is essential for their growth and our cultural representation.
Lest I forget, OLAOTAN is a fine guy! All of you OLOJUKOKORO like Oluwanifemi Fiyin go don Dey crush and find his handles up and down. Mtchew
