Assessing Cultural Worldviews in Nollywood Historical Films: A Critique of Imasuen’s Invasion 1897 and Bandele’s Elesin Oba...
Abstract
The study delved into the evaluation of cultural worldviews in Nollywood historical films. The primary aim was to study the construction of cultural worldviews and their role in shaping historical narratives within the films. Drawing upon Gregory Bateson and Erving Goffman frame theory, the analysis critically examined Lancelot Imasuen’s Invasion 1897 and Biyi Bandele’s Elesin Oba: the King’s Horseman. These historical films were selected using a typical case sampling technique and subjected to thorough Content Analysis. The findings of the study highlighted the significant influence of cultural worldviews on indigenous peoples’ perceptions, behaviours, reactions, and problem-solving approaches. Also, these worldviews are encapsulated in the traditional beliefs, laws, symbols and, religious practices of indigenous Nigerian cultures, which encountered challenges during the colonial era. Based on these observations, the study recommended the importance of thorough research in film production to ensure the accurate representation of cultural worldviews in order to promote positive cultural and social values in Nigeria.
References
Arowolo, O. (n.d.). Understanding framing theory. https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.25800.52482
Asogwa, C. E., Onoja, I. B., & Ojih, E. U. (2015). The representation of Nigeria indigenous culture in Nollywood. Journal of Scientific Research and Reports, 7(2), 97–191. https://doi.org/10.9734/JSRR/2015/15596
Bambale, Z. L. (2022). Abhorred but necessary: A relational interrogation of zaman lafia (peaceful living) and the evil of the death penalty in the traditional Hausa belief system. Filosofia Theoretica: Journal of African Philosophy, Culture and Religions, 11(1), 77–96. https://www.ajol.info/index.php/ft/article/view/222606
Bandele, B. (Director). (2022). Elesin Oba: The King’s Horseman [Film]. Ebonyi TV Studio; Netflix.
Chong, D., & Druckman, J. N. (2007). Framing theory. Annual Review of Political Science, 10, 103–126. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.polisci.10.072805.103054
Eze-Orji, B. (2016). Misrepresentation and image bastardization of the Igbo in Nollywood films. Journal of Scientific Research and Reports, 7(2), 1–21. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/315374404
Fisher, B. J. (2012). Exploring worldviews: A framework. TEACH Journal of Christian Education, 6(1), 50–55. https://doi.org/10.55254/1835-1492.1029
Greiner, R. (2021). Cinematic histospheres: On the theory and practice of historical films. Retrieved February 10, 2025, from https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-70590-9
Imasuen, L. O. (Director). (2014). Invasion 1897 [Film]. Ice Slide Films.
Imiti, A. L. (2022). Hurdles of recreating history in film: The Nigerian tendency. Journal of African Films and Diaspora Studies (JAFDIS), 5(3), 103–120. https://doi.org/10.31920/2516-2713/2022/5n3a6
Nwosu, C. C., & Agoha, K. U. (2019). From occupational cinema to a professional film industry: Femi Shaka and the theorisation of Nollywood. In O. Okome, I. Uwah, & F. Nwafor (Eds.), Nollywood nation (On the industry, practice and scholarship of cinema in Nigeria) (pp. 342–362). University of Port Harcourt Press.
Nwoye, C. M. A. (2011). Igbo cultural and religious worldview: An insider’s perspective. International Journal of Sociology and Anthropology, 3(9), 304–317. http://www.academicjournals.org/IJSA
Og, K. I. (2018, June 23). Nollywood must stop misrepresenting our culture. Independent. Retrieved from https://independent.ng/nollywood-must-stop-misrepresenting-our-culture/
Onwuegbuchunam, L. (2022). The gift and the impediment: The promises and the perils of Igbo worldview. Open Access Library Journal, 9, 1–12. https://doi.org/10.4236/oalib.1108927
Sire, J. W. (2015). Naming the elephant: Worldview as a concept (2nd ed.). InterVarsity Press.
Stubbs, J. (2013). Historical film: A critical introduction. Bloomsbury Publishing.
Symmons, T. (2013). The historical film in the era of new Hollywood, 1967–1980 [Unpublished doctoral thesis]. Queen Mary University of London. https://qmro.qmul.ac.uk/xmlui/handle/123456789/8630
Volkmer, I. (2009). Framing theory. In S. W. Littlejohn & K. A. Foss (Eds.), Encyclopedia of communication theory (pp. 2–4). SAGE Publications.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Copyright for this article is retained by the author(s), with first publication rights granted to the journal.
This is an open-access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
