Its been about music, music and more music...Today, Gospel City Naija is taking a diversion from this course to give a review of the gospel movie genre in Nigeria. Our aim is to grow gospel entertainment ministry and this goes beyond music ministration.
We caught up with a young and very promising player in the movie scene and spoke on this sub genre that has been seemingly relegated over time. His name is Lorenzo Menakaya. He is a graduate of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, a radio personality, compere, actor and soon-to-be director of morally-sound movies that cut with distinction.
Another Tyler Perry in the making? Take a good look at the young man whose picture accompanies this post 'cos you just might be staring at the next big thing to happen to African gospel movie genre...Go ahead and read this interview we had with him.
For the benefit of our readers, tell us briefly about you
I'm Lorenzo Tochukwu Menakaya
Born to a Royal family in Umunya Anambra State Nigeria, I'm a Preacher's kid. I'm an On-air personality, Singer, youth Advocate and a Film Actor.
Looking at your parentage as a preacher's kid, we assume you have been close to the gospel and been exposed to God's truths...
I grew up in church, knowing church, living church, listening to church music, reading about and loving God... I knew nothing else, up till now that I've been around the world seeing things, each time I'm in church I break down and cry and that's the way I worship.
In Gospel City Naija, we believe that our gifts/skills are all for d propagation of the gospel. With the skills you have, what aspect of it do you use to minister the gospel?
Every! On air, even when my show isn't supposed to be gospel I dedicate the introductory part of it to preaching the gospel. My music is inspirational/gospel.
I believe that we are all called to reach out to the un-reached and proclaim liberty to the captives, and whatever talents, gifts we have, the career path, our spheres of society are simply platforms made available to us by God to do his work. Anywhere, if you're a banker, lawyer, etc; those are simply platforms.
You mentioned that you are a film actor...Gospel music has seemingly thrived over the years...but gospel movies seem to lag...We don't have directors that come out to do movies that pass on Godly values to movie buffs, successfully. What do u think is the challenge here and what can be done about it?
We've had Gospel film-makers over the years, the popular ones are Mike Bamiloye and Helen Ukpabio.
The most widely accepted was Helen Ukpabio because she understood the industry and also her role as a minister of the gospel. At the time, she had the best cinematography that competed or even knocked out most of the other Nollywood films unlike other gospel film-makers that make films of low quality and standards. Films that portray Christianity as a religion of poor people, who wants to buy that kind of film and how can that pass across the message of the cross?
The problem is: Lack of efficient hands and trained personnel, mediocre storytelling, poor casting, all these add to the problem. No man will invest in an industry he's not sure of.
Okay, with these in view and looking at the acuity with which you treated the issue, what, in your capacity, are you doing towards this?
I'm training as an Actor and Director at Africa Film Academy, I want to be the best when I start soon. I'm already working with some film-makers that are sound and want to make a difference. The Gospel film industry lacked excellence, we pray to bring that.
Looking at what you said, should we expect a Nigerian Tyler Perry and even a better film directing Lorenzo Menakaya from you anytime soon?
Sure! Tyler has done a great job in the United States of America, we're uniquely different. But that's a man that understands purpose. I'd soon start and get better as we proceed.
Nice. We look forward to having Lorenzo Menakaya movies in our collection...give us a reason to watch movies again. God bless you and be with you all the way as you work towards this...His grace will be with you.
And also with you, thank you so much
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