CHRISTIAN FILM, THE UNDERPRICED COMMODITY IN NOLLYWOOD AND BEYOND
By Victory Aduragbemi
Until 2020 when The Train, a feature length movie from the stable of the Mount Zion Ministries hit the silver screen and cyberspace, much has not been heard about the gospel film genre that rented permanent space in our heads with lingos like ‘ayamatanga’, esu pofo, and others in the ‘90s..
But today, the emergence of the true-life story of Mike Bamiloye as captured in The Train, has opened a new vista for hundreds of Christian films to permeate borders beyond Nigeria. The Train encapsulates the challenging trajectory of MAB (Mike Abayomi Bamiloye), who was faced with different challenges as he pursued to serve God through full-time drama ministry. Nevertheless, he came out successfully not giving up on himself, on the ministry and, on God.
‘The Train’ movie was released on the 3rd of May, 2020 on YouTube and, was recorded to be the first Nigerian movie to hit 1million views on YouTube in two weeks. As at the end of May 2020, the movie had amassed 2.5million views, it also caused great traction on all social media platforms.
Asides this, Mount Zion Ministries has done series of movies in the past and a lot after the release of ‘The Train’ in 2020. The recent of their drama is Abbatoir which is a seasonal film with 5 episodes in each. The third season has been on since March 2022 on Damilola Mike-Bamiloye’s YouTube channel. The ministry is founded by Mike Bamiloye and his wife Gloria Bamiloye. Their children, Damilola Mike-Bamiloye, Joshua Mike-Bamiloye, Darasimi Oyor and, their spouses are all fully involved in either producing, writing, sound effects, training and, all other business of gospel movie making.
Mount Zion Ministries runs an Institute that teaches Christian drama arts and, it is affiliated to Ajayi Crowther University. Mount Zion Ministries has produced over 100 movies and, now have an App which can be downloaded on Playstore. Currently, the regular version of the App has more than 100,000 downloads, close to 2000 reviews and rated for 12. A lot of people seem to know Mount Zion Ministries but, have little knowledge about the huge exploits they are doing in gospel filmmaking.
With their impacts over time, many people could easily reckon with Mount Zion Ministries unlike other gospel filmmakers like, LADTEM (Lord’s Ambassadors Drama and Teaching Ministry). LADTEM is founded by Prof. Lekan Asikhia who is also the Deputy Vice Chancellor of Caleb University and, his wife Busayo Asikhia. LADTEM has over 50 movies produced and, also run an academy that certifies candidate for Christian drama.
In the same vein, other gospel movie production is, EVOM (Evangelical Vineyard Outreach Ministry), founded by Shola Mike Agboola on 1st March, 1989. Since inception till now, over 50 movies have rolled out from EVOM productions. Shola Mike Agboola is the writer and, producer of popular movie such as: My Conclusion, Omije Kikoro, The Missing Link, Olori Ota and, many others.
To add to the thread of gospel movies in Nigeria, Christoline Ministries was founded by Kolade Segun-Okeowo who is also the provost of the Academy, Christoline Film Academy (CFA). The Academy trains drama evangelists, Christian movie-making and, film productions. CFA has a record of over 600 trained students. KSO as fondly called by people is also the CEO of Zionstones Media. The drama series from Christoline Ministries is shown on various platforms like Dove TV, LTV, and, AIT. Kolade Segun-Okeowo started it on 6th November, 1993. He has featured in over 100 movies and, produced over 50 movies.
Another is, the Victory Drama Group owned by Rev’d Yemi Adepoju and, Prof. Feyi Adepoju, his wife. They hold a yearly dram programme- the Festival of Christian Drama. VDG has produced quite a large number of movies.
PREM Films is another gospel movie maker. Femi Adebile is a sole founder of this ministry, though still growing. Prem Films have over 20 productions rolled out to the public on their YouTube channel (fejosbabatv),
Fruit Bearers is also a fast growing gospel movie production, it’s headed by Segun Adejumobi and, they currently have over 50 videos of gospel movies shunned out.
Gospel movies have taken a new dimension in production quality and relatable story lines. They may not enjoy the noise and scandals that are associated with the mainstream Nollywood, but their offerings have gone beyond mundane stories carelessly wrapped around biblical injunctions. The technical quality and role interpretations are stimulating. Their market is defined and unique. More than the regular Nollywood, the gospel counterpart parades thoroughbred method actors, discipline thespians, passionate filmmakers and a huge cult followership.
Considering the societal menace and the effects that the mainstream Nollywood might have failed to critically address, the governments at all levels may have strategic ideation, collaboration, co-creation and investment in the gospel films, with the primary aim of achieving positive mind management towards social re-engineering and rejuvenation.
From all indications, the gospel filmmakers are underrated and neglected by other stakeholders. Meanwhile, the gospel films have come to stay and, they are in no competition with Nollywood as the case may seem. Gospel movie is the latest trend and lots are already jumping on this trend.
Picture credits- internet
