Nollywood Babylon

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Nollywood Babylon

2008

1h 14m

Documentary

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Popcornmeter

83%

Tomatometer

6 Reviews

78%

Popcornmeter

100+ Ratings

Ben Addelman and Samir Mallal examine the growth and problems of the Nigerian film industry -- the third largest in the world.

New York Post

The little-known story of Nigeria's movie success is examined in Nollywood Babylon, a fascinating documentary by Canadians Ben Addelman and Samir Mallal.

Rated: 3/4

Jul 3, 2009

Full Review

Nathan Lee

New York Times

For all its limitations, Nollywood Babylon serves as an intriguing primer.

Rated: 3/5

Jul 3, 2009

Full Review

Nicolas Rapold

Time Out

The kicks come from some over-the-top clips and Imasuen's disarming mix of bombast and shrewdness when he appears on set or as a commentator.

Rated: 3/5

Jul 1, 2009

Full Review

Sara Maria Vizcarrondo

Boxoffice Magazine

Both insightful and sweeping, this doc shows how affordable filmmaking technology and evangelical Christianity has assisted Nigeria, now the third largest producer of movies, to build a fecund film industry that serves a largely impoverished and political

Rated: 3/5

Jul 10, 2009

Full Review

Donald J. Levit

ReelTalk Movie Reviews

'Nollywood Babylon' teases, for its themes are interesting but, too many of them brought up, they do not get the incisive treatment each deserves.

Jul 9, 2009

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Audience Member

The greatest 01 hour: and 14 minutes of real footage!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/11/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Very entertaining documentary about the Nigerian film industry and how home grown fare with little budget and amateur performers can be a draw for a public which wants anything produced in the native language. Very funny at times.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/07/23

Full Review

Audience Member

A fascinating look at the third largest movie industry in the world (after India and the US). The conditions and social climate these people work in are staggering. As bewildering as it is inspiring, definitely worth seeing.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/07/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Fascinating look at the surprising circumstances in which the Nigerian film industry was born and continues to thrive. Both a riveting look at the creative and commercial processes of filmmaking and a penetrating examination of Nigerian culture through its media. Highly recommended.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/28/23

Full Review

Audience Member

If I weren't such a pussy who didn't like getting shot and mugged, I'd pack up and move to Nollywood to make movies... Third largest film industry in the world, and it's mostly comprised with amateurs and their camcorders...

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/09/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Invisible to Hollywood, Nollywood has quickly become the 3rd largest Film Industry in the world. The documentary itself was very basic and raw. Maybe fittingly so, as the subject matter is just the same. But what drew me in is the passion the public has for film. And the filmmaker see that and they produce these films at a blistering pace. 1 director has produced more than 150 films. Whats more is, these are all funded by himself. Real grass roots indie film mentality!

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/21/23

Full Review

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Ben Addelman

Director

Samir Mallal

Director

Ben Addelman

Writer

Samir Mallal

Writer

Ben Addelman

Producer

Samir Mallal

Producer

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Synopsis

Ben Addelman and Samir Mallal examine the growth and problems of the Nigerian film industry -- the third largest in the world.

Director: Ben Addelman, Samir Mallal
Producer: Ben Addelman, Samir Mallal, Adam Symansky
Screenwriter: Ben Addelman, Samir Mallal
Production Co: AM Pictures, National Film Board of Canada
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 6, 2017
Runtime: 1h 14m