The term “Nollywood” is often used as a monolith, a simple label for Nigeria’s prolific film industry. However, this single word encompasses a dynamic and complex history marked by a dramatic evolution. The Nollywood of today, with its glossy productions premiering in cinemas and streaming on Netflix, is a world away from the industry’s revolutionary beginnings. To truly understand Nigerian cinema, one must distinguish between its two major eras: “Old Nollywood,” the direct-to-video golden age, and “New Nollywood,” the modern cinematic renaissance.
This distinction is not merely academic; it represents a fundamental shift in technology, aesthetics, storytelling, and business models. Old Nollywood was a grassroots movement born out of necessity, while New Nollywood is a calculated effort to compete on the global stage. Understanding the key differences between these two eras is essential to appreciating the industry’s incredible journey and its cultural significance. This post breaks down the defining characteristics that separate the foundational past from the ambitious present.
What Defines the Two Eras of Nollywood?
The dividing line between Old and New Nollywood is not a single date but a gradual transition that began in the mid-to-late 2000s. This shift was driven by technological advancements, economic changes, and the aspirations of a new generation of filmmakers.
The Rise of Old Nollywood: A Video Revolution
Old Nollywood, which flourished from the early 1990s to the mid-2000s, was born from a unique set of circumstances. Nigeria’s economic struggles in the late 1980s had led to the collapse of most cinemas, leaving a void in the entertainment landscape. The 1992 release of Living in Bondage on VHS tape revealed a massive, untapped market for home video. This film’s unprecedented success sparked a revolution.
This era was defined by its direct-to-video model. Films were shot on low-cost video cameras, quickly edited, and mass-produced on VHS tapes and later, Video CDs (VCDs). The focus was on high-volume production and accessibility. It was a cinema for the people, with stories that reflected their everyday lives, beliefs, and anxieties.
The Dawn of New Nollywood: A Cinematic Rebirth
The emergence of New Nollywood was signaled by a conscious push towards higher quality. The turning point is often attributed to Kunle Afolayan’s 2009 supernatural thriller, The Figurine. This film was shot on 35mm film, boasted superior production values, and was successfully marketed to a new generation of cinema-goers as multiplexes began to re-emerge in Nigeria’s major cities.
New Nollywood represents a shift away from the high-volume, low-budget model. Its proponents aimed to create films that could compete both technically and narratively on an international level. This new wave was characterized by bigger budgets, professional crews, theatrical distribution, and partnerships with global streaming platforms.
How Do Production and Technology Compare?
The most striking difference between the two eras lies in the technology used and the overall approach to production.
Old Nollywood: Ingenuity Over Budget
The production style of Old Nollywood was a masterclass in resourcefulness.
- Technology: Films were shot on standard-definition video cameras, which resulted in the raw, unpolished aesthetic that defines the era.
- Budgets: Budgets were extremely low, which impacted everything from location choices to special effects.
- Pacing: Production was incredibly fast, with some films being shot, edited, and released in a matter of weeks.
- Crews: Film crews were often small and multi-tasking, driven more by passion than by formal training.
This approach often led to technical flaws in sound, lighting, and continuity. However, it also fostered a raw authenticity and narrative urgency that audiences found compelling.
New Nollywood: The Pursuit of Technical Excellence
New Nollywood filmmakers prioritize technical quality as a key differentiator.
- Technology: Productions utilize high-definition digital cinema cameras, professional lighting rigs, and sophisticated sound recording equipment.
- Budgets: Budgets are significantly higher, allowing for more elaborate sets, costumes, and visual effects.
- Pacing: Production schedules are much longer and more structured, with dedicated time for pre-production, shooting, and extensive post-production (including professional editing, color grading, and sound design).
- Crews: Productions employ specialized and often formally trained professionals for roles like Director of Photography, Sound Designer, and Production Designer.
What Are the Main Differences in Storytelling and Themes?
While both eras draw from the rich well of Nigerian culture, their narrative approaches and thematic concerns often differ.
The Narrative Focus of Old Nollywood
Old Nollywood stories were direct, emotionally charged, and often served as morality plays. Common themes included:
- Spiritual and Occult Dramas: Tales of witchcraft, ritual money, and spiritual warfare were immensely popular.
- Family Melodramas: Intricate stories of betrayal, inheritance disputes, and wicked in-laws were a staple.
- Cautionary Tales: Many films served as warnings against greed, infidelity, and abandoning tradition.
A defining feature was the multi-part release format (e.g., Part 1 and Part 2), designed to maximize VCD sales and allow for sprawling, epic storylines.
The Evolving Narratives of New Nollywood
New Nollywood has seen a significant diversification of genres and a more nuanced approach to storytelling.
- Genre Diversity: The industry now produces a wide range of genres, including sophisticated romantic comedies, action thrillers, political satires, and historical biopics.
- Subtler Themes: While still culturally rooted, themes are often explored with more psychological depth and less overt moralizing.
- Global Appeal: Scripts are often developed with a broader, more international audience in mind, adhering to standard feature-film lengths and structures.
A Side-by-Side Comparison: Old vs. New
This table provides a clear summary of the fundamental distinctions between the two eras.
| Feature | Old Nollywood (c. 1992 – 2008) | New Nollywood (c. 2009 – Present) |
| Production Quality | Standard-definition video, often with technical flaws. | High-definition digital cinema, professional polish. |
| Primary Distribution | Direct-to-video (VHS, VCD) via market distributors. | Theatrical cinema releases followed by streaming. |
| Budget | Very low, often just a few thousand dollars. | Significantly higher, from thousands to millions of dollars. |
| Key Genres | Melodrama, occult thrillers, epic family sagas. | Rom-coms, action, political thrillers, biopics. |
| Narrative Style | Often didactic, emotionally direct, multi-part releases. | Nuanced, genre-focused, standard feature length. |
| Target Audience | Primarily local Nigerian and African viewers. | Local and international audiences. |
| Pacing | Extremely fast production cycle (weeks). | Slower, more structured production cycle (months/years). |
In conclusion, the journey from Old to New Nollywood is a story of incredible growth and ambition. New Nollywood, with its technical sophistication and global reach, is built directly on the foundation laid by the pioneers of the classic video era. While the new wave has brought international acclaim, the raw, unapologetically Nigerian storytelling of Old Nollywood remains the industry’s heart and soul. Both eras are indispensable chapters in the remarkable story of Nigerian cinema.