Popular comedian and filmmaker Bright Okpocha, popularly known as Basketmouth, has expressed disappointment in some Nigerian filmmakers for failing to adequately showcase the country’s rich culture in their movies.
Speaking during an interview with Hip TV, Basketmouth criticized recent epic films, describing them as missed opportunities to highlight Nigeria’s vibrant traditions and heritage. According to him, many of these movies fall short of expectations and resemble stage plays rather than authentic representations of Nigerian culture.
Reflecting on his observations, Basketmouth stated, “I believe that we still have the opportunity to get it right. But we had a great opportunity to showcase our culture, and most of the filmmakers blew it up. They just ruined that great chance because I see epic movies, and they look like stage plays.”
He emphasized his disappointment while urging filmmakers to seize future opportunities to improve. For him, the lackluster execution of cultural storytelling in recent films is a significant letdown for both the industry and the global audience.
The comedian did not shy away from expressing his frustration, adding that the potential for Nigerian films to highlight the nation’s diverse traditions and customs remains largely untapped. “When I was seeing most of the epic movies, I was disappointed,” he said.
Despite his criticisms, Basketmouth remains optimistic that the industry can redeem itself. “You guys blew up a great opportunity, but let’s hope we still have another chance to strike at it,” he said, expressing hope that the next wave of cultural films will do justice to Nigeria’s heritage.
While acknowledging that a few movies have met his expectations, Basketmouth challenged filmmakers to strive for better. “I’m sorry, only very few movies have impressed me so far. I believe that we can do more,” he concluded.
His remarks underscore the importance of using cinema as a tool for cultural preservation and promotion, and he hopes that Nigerian filmmakers will rise to the occasion in the near future.
