Sounds of Nollywood is a five-part documentary series that showcases the artistry of five top professionals shaping the world of sound design and music composition in Nollywood. The documentary embarks on a captivating journey into the land of soundscapes, platforming film scorers and composers and giving credence to one of the often undervalued technical aspects of filmmaking.
Sounds have always constituted part of Nollywood films, but until recently, they have been treated with levity, as an afterthought in the post-production phase of filmmaking. While this problem still persists, the growing popularity of New Nollywood and the need to meet global expectations have made producers and directors realize the importance of the sounds and musical department and look out for experts in the field to curate work that ticks all the boxes for aesthetic satisfaction. Thus, the collaboration between WeTalkSound and IN Nollywood—Sounds of Nollywood—is geared towards amplifying the voices and achievements of film composers who have become game-changers in Nollywood today.
Apart from exploring the intersection between music and film, the documentary opens up a broader conversation on the intersection between Nollywood and Afrobeats—two sister industries that complement each other. Sounds of Nollywood features five Nigerian film composers Ava Momoh, Anu Afolayan, Kulanen Ikyo, Tolu Obanro, and Clement “DJ Klem” Kponu, all of whom are known for their work ethic, intentionality, and attention to detail in forging a synergy between sounds and motion pictures.
Ava Momoh is responsible for sounds in films such as Collision Course, Over The Bridge, and Cake, as well as Africa Magic shows Enakhe and Jemeji.
“Music is what triggers human emotions,” says Ava Momoh in an episode. “If you are watching a movie without music you are just taking pictures. But the music is what transfers the feeling that the director wants you to have from the screen to your ears.”
Anu Afolayan is known for his work on Omugwo, Roti, The Tribunal, The Bridge, Tenant of the House, Mokalik, Citation, Swallow, and Anikulapo which won him an AMVCA.
Reacting to the sensitivity of the composer’s job, Anu Afolayan notes: “A composer can ruin a movie, can destroy the movie, and can make the movie very exciting. You might know how to compose sweet music but you need to drive the movie. There are some keys you hit on the keyboard that give a particular emotion. You can’t have a sad scene and be playing a progression that feels like a happy mood.”
Kulanen Ikyo got his first feature film job as a composer on Kunle Afolayan’s October 1. He also recorded the live orchestra for The CEO and has worked on other projects like Blood Sisters, Lionheart, Okafor’s Law, and The Black Book.
“Producers need to start understanding that sound and music are a big part of storytelling,” the maestro stresses the importance of sound and music in film. “For example, the gun of the protagonist might sound different from the gun of the antagonist. That kind of level of detail is what I need producers to start understanding better”
Tolu Obanro has worked on King of Boys 1, King of Boys 2, Hey, You, Unintentional, His Excellency, King of Thieves, Gangs of Lagos, House of Secrets, Brotherhood, Battle On Buka Street and Jagun Jagun.
Clement Kponu a.k.a. DJ Klem got his first shot at film scoring in 2014/15 on Tolu LordTanner’s Couple of Days, and has proceeded to work on notable projects such as Fishbone, Ajuwaya, Oga John, A Bag of Trouble and Big Love.
In his interview, DJ Klem highlights the concern of the work schedule. “We have insane timelines. I famously did the entire score for Editi’s Fishbone in five days,” he says.
“Sounds of Nollywood is more than just a documentary series; it’s a celebration of creativity, passion, and innovation,” Dolapo Amusat, the CEO of WeTalkSound points out. “Through intimate interviews and captivating behind-the-scenes footage, viewers will gain a deeper understanding of the vital role that sound design plays in shaping the emotional impact of films.”
Anita Eboigbe, co-founder of In Nollywood notes that “by showcasing the work of talented sound designers and composers from across Nigeria, we aim to spotlight an underexplored part of Nollywood’s character – the music of its films – and hope that this inspires others. Through our series, we hope to foster a greater appreciation for the art of sound and its transformative power in cinema, especially in Nollywood.”
Sounds of Nollywood is meant for an audience of fans, stakeholders, investors, corporate bodies and government agencies interested in and committed to the growth of Nollywood, Afrobeats and the African creative industry. The documentary allows us to understand how soundtracks and sound effects have contributed to the success of our favorite films, spotlighting the backstories behind the successful Nollywood productions.
Documentary credits go to writers Anita Eboigbe and Daniel Okechukwu; and producers Tochukwu Uchefunah and Anita Eboigbe. The series is directed by Feranmi Abiola and edited by Michael Etinosa, while the voice-over is done by Deji Osikoya.
All five episodes of Sounds of Nollywood are available on WeTalkSound’s YouTube Channel.
Sounds of Nollywood will be screened live at 2 pm on March 23, 2024, at the British Council, Ikoyi, Lagos. Register here to attend.
Here’s the trailer.