Kunle Afolayan Finally Responds to People Who Bash Him For Using Non-Actors In His Movies

Nigerian filmmaker Kunle Afolayan is gearing up for the release of his latest Nollywood production, Anikulapo, that will be premiering on the international streaming platform, Netflix, tomorrow. In the meantime, Kunle sat down with ace interviewer, Chude, to discuss his life, projects, and criticism.

One critic Kunle Afolayan has often gotten is that he uses non-actors in his movies, and for some people, it is something that they rather the filmmaker stop doing. Now, during his interview with Chude, Kunle is finally responding to those critics, and here's what he has to say.

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Speaking about the criticisms he gets, Kunle Afolayan said:

For me I'm not bothered anymore about reviews and stuff. I just call them minorities if you didn't like the film. Especially in this day and time when people can express themselves, people who actually like the thing can actually come out and say it. Pulse did a review of Swallow, I mean I saw it but I'm not even moved. In fact there was one today by ThisDay, I don't pay for reviews. Once I do a film and I'm done and me internally I am satisfied, I'm done. Anybody can have opinion. Moreso, look at those films that they're trashing. Mention 10 films in Nigeria that can stand the test of time and that you can tie to the makers of the film. If they say which film have you seen many times? Okay if they're bad, why are people watching them ten times. It's the same way I will say I've seen Inglorious Bastards more than 10 times, I've seen I Am Sam more than 5 times, I have seen Forest Gump more than 15 times. These are 3 hours, 2:40 minute films, but I will sit down and I will watch. But of course I'm sure when those movies came out, some people would have negative opinions and reviews, it's okay. But the sad thing is in Nigeria, if they tell me point at film critics. Film criticism means you have understanding of film, not you judging somebody's film from what you feel or how you think the film should have been done. So if anybody reviews, I look at the person and say okay where are you coming from? Someone did a review, Nollysomething today, the person is my friend actually and then he posted it somewhere. I'm sure he picked it from what Pulse wrote saying "Maybe Kunle should have a rethink and stop using unknown actors" and I went to that blog and I put it there that you are a minority. Also, most of the films you reference, Mokalik - why did I use Simi? Citation - why did I use Temi? I used Chidinma in The Bridge. Swallow, I used Niyola. Number one those films are for the intellectual but it's good to be busy, so it's okay that you've taken your time to write review. Again, I have seen a lot of reviews, the good, the bad, it does not matter. At this point me, I am satisfied.

What do you think about Kunle Afolayan's decision to cast non-actors in his movies? Do you have a problem with it? Do you not? Let me know your thoughts by leaving a comment either below or on my Jide Okonjo Facebook post.

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