TIPTOPSTARS

Nothing stops a financial management expert from being an acclaimed artist. If your singing talent is in-born, go right ahead and explore it. This best suits Rosychicks, an up-and-coming Cameroonian musician living in the diaspora. Rosychicks belongs to the category of formal education intellectuals who refuse to kill their God-given artistic skills. She is in the market with her second album. Perhaps the featuring of Don Tom (Nigerian), one of Africa’s leading HIP-HOP singers in her latest album has been newsy enough to attract press attention

April 2013 will  forever remain fresh in the minds of Cameroonians and particularly lovers of the seven art. At the time we were publishing the most recent article on Ninah’s Dowry a couple of hours ago and saying the Pan African International Film Festival in Cannes, France is going to feature the movie in its 2013 edition, it was already harvesting awards at the event. It is now confirmed the Cameroonian  movie gathered three - Anurin Nwunembom (Best Actor), Mbufung Shiek (Best Actress) and Ninah's Dowry (Best Film).

This came less than 24 hours after Ninah’s Dowry bountifully picked up the AMAA Special Jury's Award in Nigeria.  «This film is unbeatable, » commented Fred Keyanti of Cam Movies. « Who says our industry is not a force to reckon with…’ » Alasabom Nyintchou, member of the CFI Board reacted. « Wow, that’s great, we have to throw a party in honour of these guys, » Douala-based seasoned film maker Etta Rene could not hide his joy.

Then this reporter contatcted Yibain Emile-Aime Chah, who is part of the Ninah’s Dowry crew and is currently facilitating a film workshop in Tanzania. What is your initial imression ? We put it to Ancestor as the film maker is fondly called. « I’m too happy. I expected more from Nigeria, but I’m happy with what we had, » he told TIPTOPSTARS on the line to Zanzibar.

Editorial comment                                

It has not been a common phenomenon that a Cameroonian movie should harvest awards festival after festival withing a short period of time. Like we wrote in previous reports, Ninah’s Dowry has won the prestigious authority of becoming Cameroon’s leading ambassador in the film sector.There is no point of argument about that. Now the questions : Is Cameroon aware ? Are the powers that be aware ? Is it established in Yaounde that this movie and the crew have become the country’s ambassadors ? What is the ambiance at the titular ministry – the Ministry of Culture ? What is Cameroon thinking ? Is the number executive going to receive the Ninah’s Dowry team at the State House ? If not, will his Prime Minister going to grand them audience at the Star Building ? Are these guys going to receive national honours ? Will they be declared national heroes and heroines ? The questions are endless. TIPTOPSTARS does not have the answers – perhaps the powers that be have.

But at a time Cameroon is facing serious setbacks with its number one religion – football, could this just be an opportunity to recognize heroes of other domains. By the way, film/cinema is not a push-over sector – Hollywood and Nollywood are testimonies to this.

For sure, Ninah’s Dowry is on an unstoppable journey – more awards are on the way. Kudos guys !

When Victor Viyuoh told TIPTOSTARS’ Editor three days ago that he would humbly accept any outcome, but was concerned with the seven nominations Ninah’s Dowry secured at the African Movie Academy Awards, AMAA, little did the Cameroonian film maker knew his team  was travelling to Yenagoa to lift yet another trophy. Today, Ninah’s Dowry has confirmed it is historic piece of job. The Cameroonian movie had a special place in the hearts of members of the jury who found justice in rewarding it with a Jury’s Special Award.

 But reactions have already been pouring in. “Wonderful, that’s great. Kudos to the Cameroonian film industry!” said Junior Mbongho, a film editor, actor, communicator and Cameroonian student in the United Kingdom. “I was confident Ninah’s Dowry would pull a prize at AMAA. I’m quite impressed and proud to be a Cameroonian,” Felly Yungo, a Cameroonian movie lover told us from Cleveland, Ohio, USA. Still from the USA, Cameroonian actress Audrey Funteh reacted: “Wow, we’re going places. I’m very happy our people are making us proud.”

Similar reactions have been coming from film producers. “Wow, that’s a huge breakthrough. I’m proud to be a Cameroonian film maker,” Germany-based Valery Atia told us.

Ninah’s Dowry’s latest glory has not left the media and promoters of the Cameroonian entertainment indifferent. “Extreme happiness! A Cameroonian film!This win is a vital sign for the Cameroonian film industry,” CNE’s Kymaa Don told us in a quick feedback.

TIPTOPSTARS is still trying to reach the formidable team that accompanied the movie at yesterday AMAA reward nights said to have been characterized by glitz and glamour. As part of the team were Anurin Nwunembom and Eka Chirsta who prematurely left a Zanzibar, Tanzania film workshop to answer present at AMAA. Both actors were nominated.

Ninah’s Dowry now becomes the second Cameroonian movie to pick a coverted prize at the prestigious AMAA after Ariane Astrid Atodji’s Koundi et Le Jeudi Nationale won the best documentary in 2011. Ninah’s Dowry which has been to several festivals is also laureate of the Audience Awards at the Big Muddy Film Festival in Carbondale and most recently (less than three weeks ago) World Cinema Award at the Phoenix Film Festival. The movie will be featuring at the Festival International de Film Panafricain in Cannes on this week,  at the Pearl International Film Festival in Uganda in May and at the Berkshire International Film Festival in Great Barrington, MA.

With these victories however, the producer says he is still expecting a concrete reaction from the Cameroonian government which no doubt benefits quite much from Ninah’s Dowry’s ambassadorial status.

Shot in Sagba, North West region of Cameroon, Ninah’s Dowry is directed by Victor Viyuoh featuring Mbufung Seikeh, Anurin Nwunembom, Vugar Samson, Nkwah Kingsley, Nsuh George (Big George), Christa Eka, Nobert Kecha, Bodi Rolland Tamfu, Ndenge Dian Thelma Cheny, Ekwa, Sally Talla, Photem Michael, Che Fuh Hilarius, Adambi Mbango Ngene, etc.

TIPTOPSTARS will be talking to Victor Viyuoh in a subsequent update but for now, it is kudos to the entire Ninah’s Dowry team.

When this interviewer (then Editor-in-Chief of Among Youths) described him as an oral artist par excellence way back in 2007, in one of the best-selling editions of the magazine, Alenne Menget had not revealed all his skills. Today, the multi-talented young Cameroonian now stands tall a documentary film producer/director and narrator you would fall in love with soon after savouring one of his works. Since we first spoke with Alenne, on his life as an artist, the Douala-based media executive has progressed ten folds, winning in every venture as he goes along. He has easily caught international attention and would be spotted