Portrayal of Women in Contemporary Nollywood Films: Isoken and King of Boys in Focus

Abstract

This study investigates the portrayal of women in contemporary Nollywood films, using Isoken (2017) and King of Boys (2018) as case studies. The objective was to highlight the various ways in which women in the films are portrayed to viewers and ascertain whether contemporary Nollywood movies are an improvement on the issues of gender stereotypes and sexism which are hitherto prevalent in the industry. Anchored on the cultivation theory, the study adopted the qualitative content analysis method. Findings showed that women in the studied films are negatively portrayed in various ways and that these portrayals are, at best, parallel to the stereotypical ways in which women were portrayed in previous Nollywood movies. Taking cognizance of the fact that both films are directed by women, the researcher recommends that Nollywood female directors should look beyond the lenses of financial gains and set a pace with regards to changing the narrative and portraying Nigerian women in a positive light.

When Silence Becomes Overstretched: Exploring the Loud Silence in Women's Struggle for Liberation in Contemporary Nollywood

“…This is because patriarchy and male chauvinism have constituted and still constitute solid walls which encage and prevent women from reaching out or achieving their full potentials. Although traces of female subjugation are seen in every society that makes up the cosmos, the trend is very much prevalent in the African continent (Okunna, 2002;Omatsola, 2016;Onyenankeya, Onyenankeya & Osukunle, 2019;Emwinromwankhoe, 2021a). counterparts in western climes.…”

“…One of the potent means through which Nigerian women fight against the forces of male domination and oppression is film (Emwinromwankhoe, 2021a;2021b). As is the case with other societies and cultures, films afford people -filmmakers in this regard -the ample opportunity to influence culture, correct stereotypes and negative perceptions, mediate gender equity as well as change notions (Uzuegbunam & Ononiwu, 2018;Kurfi & Dahiru, 2020).…”