TIPTOPSTARS

In writing the history of the Cameroonian film industry, the month of March 2014 will undoubtedly occupy reasonable space. It is during the month that some of the most spectacular things ever witnessed in recent times happened within in the movie sector. One of such things was the premiering of some three movies observers now think have been the most publicized in the industry – Sister Dearest, VIRI and The Storm.

Sister Dearest

Directed by John Ikem Uche and produced by USA-based Cameroonian-born Lilian Ndi, Sister Dearest, shot last year came into public space in January this year with the announcement of its premiere in March. Soon after the announcement was made, countless attractively designed flyers swept social network galvanizing gross attention from movie lovers that went beyond the producer’s country of origin. Every single day and moment, friends, well-wishers and industry shot callers tasked themselves with promoting the March 22 event which was awaited with lots of anxiety and excitement. As the D-day drew nearer, the crowd around Sister Dearest swelled and it became an event on every lip, home and abroad. Cast and crew members in the production took turns in marketing the official outing of Sister Dearest. A prominent case in point was a pre-event promo video orchestrated by actor Claudio Oben, starring in the now circulating movie. March 22 came and went and the event is now in the annals.

VIRI

Just like Sister Dearest, VIRI, a movie directed by Enah John Scott and produced by Nkanya Nkwai enjoyed publicity like it never happened before. However, unlike the John Ikem Uche film, VIRI benefitted from the promotion of a professional marketing outfit, Douala-run ModeMaison PR. In a captivating manner, the outfit vibrated news about VIRI’s March release and the Douala premiere so profusely that it caught the attention of other traditional media outfit including Afrikka Radio. In a pre-movie launch edition of African Cocktail with Ernest Kanjo, VIRI’s producer Nkanya Nkwai added his voice in selling the event. Later reports from Cameroon’s economic capital held that the VIRI premiere, just like predicted, was a successful event. “It was awesome and I’m proud to have been part of this great outing,” Lynno Lovert, one of the actors starring in the movie told African Cocktail on the line to Buea.

The Storm

Perhaps, the most exciting part of the March Movie month story is The Storm. Written by Kenneth Ngamne and produced by Emmanuel Takusi and directed by Obed Joe, The Storm fast became a phenomenon soon after its March 29 premiere was made public in January. Flyer after flyer, announcing its coming flooded Facebook, day in, day out. Interesting, the then upcoming premiere ceased to be a primary concern of the Team The Steam – it turned out to be everyone’s assignment. For the first time, a Cameroonian movie premiere in the USA was covered by the State-run broadcaster, CRTV, represented by FM 105 Douala Station boss and committed entertainment promoter Behyia Leonard Bruce. The event proper, described by observers was a come-and-see – glamourous in all aspects!

Sister Dearest, VIRI and The Storm, now released, are said to be some of the movies that have enjoyed an inexplicable attention since the start of the current dispensation within the film industry in Cameroon. Which movie comes next in this line? The coming months have the answer!