Buea, Cameroon (Face2FaceAfrica) On Saturday, anxiety, ecstasy, and euphoria — coupled with very broad smiles of love and friendship — penetrated the calm atmosphere around the exquisite Buea Mountain Hotel, where lovers of cinema, politicians, diplomats, journalists, and business tycoons were present for the premiere of the film “A Little Lie, A Little Kill,” the first dark film made in the English-speaking part of Cameroon.
SEE ALSO: PHOTOS: ‘Half of a Yellow Sun’ Lagos, Nigeria Premiere
“It’s a dark film because most of our films that are being shot here are glamorous, but this one is a film that has the spilling of blood. It involves murder. It’s a tragedy that is why it is basically called a film noir,’’ the multi-talented lead actor, producer, screen player, and executive producer Ivan Namme told Face2FaceAfrica. Namme is also the CEO of the production house credited for making this film.
“A Little Lie, A Little Kill” is shot in the locality of Buea, the southwest region of the republic, and it tells the story of the day-to-day struggles of life, fear, and anxiety by bringing to the fore the different happenings that people encounter in their daily life.
The movie was a beautiful work of art that was professionally done and highly acclaimed.
Watch the trailer for “A Little Lie, A Little Kill” here:
With a cast and crew of nearly 30 people, the movie is divided into two parts and took two months to create. In making the film, the challenges were enormous for the lead actor and executive producer who used personal funds to achieve a lifetime dream.
“I just was able to use personal funds to realize this project because of the believe I have in what I have done, and I know where this project can take me to,” Namme further explained to Face2Face Africa.
Helen Fesse, the lead actress in the film who acted in the role of “Helen Monique,” an irritated, hot-tempered, and jealous girlfriend to the lead male actor, said, ‘’It was challenging being that kind of character who is always causing trouble and insulting people. I equally enjoyed it and had plenty of fun playing that role.’’
Sharon Dione, who acted as “Ebane,” a friend to the actress, added, “It was not easy for me, because I had to combine school and being on set shooting. At the end of the day, everything went on well.’’
Regarding further investment in ventures such as this, Charles Mbella Moki, a senator from Buea Central constituency, said, “I think it is an endeavor that should be encouraged. As an individual, I am going to invest in what they are doing,”
Agbor Gilbert, a filmmaker and producer, praised the film after its showing, saying, “The movie is a good one. I like the pictures, the cast, and the finishing between the lead female and sub-lead female who all did good in the film.”
While Cameroonian films are now able to compete with others in international film festival, this was not always the case in the recent past due to limitations in equipment and the lack of professionalism. Still, Cameroon’s film industry is still begging for recognition and attention from local authorities.
That worry was expressed by Ngala Mandengue Dickson, a fervent and die-heart showbiz promoter who is widely known as the “Godfather” of the Cameroonian entertainment industry. “Cameroon does not encourage entertainment because our media is not interested in our works but prefer to import and screen foreign movies on local TV channels. This does not promote local actors and actresses. Through this medium, I am making a plea to local authorities to support us.”
Agbor, who agrees with Dickson, explained the situation further to Face2Face Africa, “The network for the distribution of our films and promotion are not in place, which is also linked to the fact that all cinema halls in Cameroon have been shot down. We are hoping that the state will help to revive the cinema theatres, while also wishing again that corporate bodies would come in to help the industry grow like is the case next door in Nigeria and Ghana.”
SEE ALSO: Nas To Headline Concert in South Africa
