Stella Dimoko Korkus.com: Nollywood's Best Five Actresses In 2016

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Thursday, November 24, 2016

Nollywood's Best Five Actresses In 2016

It’s The Novia List once again as lifted from his page and this list will shock you!



My annual ‘ Top 5 Best Actress/Best Actor’ list has always been released for the past three years during this period and it culminates for me, an exciting year in Nollywood wherein more than ever this year, there was a competitive slant in the quality of acting in the industry.

The year 2016 has been quite an interesting one for Nollywood as one could arguably conclude that more than ever, there were more exciting films released by Nollywood filmmakers at the Box Office than ever in the past five years. With a couple more to look forward to before the year draws the final curtains, some might argue that I am bringing out this list prematurely but I beg to differ. I think I have seen all what I have to see to know that those who make this list this year really deserve to be on this list and have given brilliant performances in 2016.

First, my overview of Nollywood in 2016; Nollywood was phenomenal in international networking and received deserved recognition but still floundering in production ambitions, story directions and elevation of general artistry. Many of the movies which had cinema runs in 2016 by Nollywood Filmmakers had no business being on the big screen and most should have been consigned to television fares rather than wasting the recession-tested money of the movie goers. Having watched many of such movies in 2016 with my team of judges, one’s patience was tested in many cases and I certainly hope that filmmakers would learn that the box office is not necessarily an avenue for boring movie goers with sleep-inducing fares. A lot of Nollywood movies which were released in the cinemas in 2016 had what I term ‘ the smooch factor’; which is an uncomplimentary term I coined where bored couples buy the tickets, find themselves alone in the hall in many cases and begin to smooch themselves while the movie flickers on the screen!

Once again in 2016, television series and serials gave Nollywood films a good run for money and a couple of outstanding commissioned productions opened a new window for me to re-evaluate old and new talents.

I always use the following criteria for awarding my prizes and it hasn’t changed this year; Interpretation, Visualisation, Characterisation and Enunciation.

I do not use ‘Stardom’ ‘A-Listers’ or whatever general considerations others might have in arriving at conclusions. It’s purely professional and nothing personal.



BEST 5 ACTRESSES IN NOLLYWOOD IN 2016

NUMBER 5: NANCY ISIME


I can bet many people would be asking who she is and those who know her as a television presenter on a music channel might not even have an idea that she is an actress. I never did until a few months ago, I watched her in two movies and she completely delivered the goods in both. Nancy featured in ‘Hex’ a short film by music video maestro, Clarence Peters where she played the role of a cagey young lady and played her role to the hilt. Her ability to subsume the role and take over the screen in that short movie first caught my attention and I made a note that this was one lady to look out for in the future. That future came too soon as I watched her a few weeks later in ‘Gidi Blues’, where she played a supporting role but did it so well that it got me wondering why she did not play the lead role in the first place as Hauwa Allahburaka, the lead actress in that movie, was sometimes bland in delivery where it mattered. Nancy Isime gave natural and effortless reactions in ‘Gidi Blues’ and she was a delight to watch. This is one actress to watch out for, if the right scripts find her and all she needs is one big break. Take it from me, this young lady may go places.




NUMBER 4: ADE LAOYE



In her role in the hit Africa Magic telenovela of sorts, ‘ Hush’, Ade Laoye explodes on the screen as ‘Oye’, a role which sees her give all her best and perhaps prove to us that her academic training in Theatre and Film abroad was not in anyway a mistake. Her ability to express conflicting emotions of confusion, determination, love and irritation, sometimes in one stretch in any scene tells me that this is a lady who internalises and interpretes her lines and role with minimum flaws. Though at times, her articulation wavers from an American-tinged accent to a Girl-next-door accent, that can be forgiven when she seamlessly switches to Yoruba in most of her interactions with Ruffy, a lovesick thug in ‘Hush’. Within the ambits of cosmopolitan roles, Ade Laoye comes out smoking. I would love to see her take on more challenging roles in future, a switch from the urbane to the local might help in assessing more of her range. In any case, this is a very good actress. Take that to the Bank.


NUMBER 3: ADESUA ETOMI



There’s something artistically ‘ almost perfect’ in intensity when Adesua Etomi acts on the screen and the same attributes are not in anyway diminished when one sees her feature in theatre productions. I watched her in a couple of movies this year in which her powers of characterisation and interpretation were amazing. In ‘Falling’ and ‘The Arbitration’, Adesua gives performances demanding respect from her peers and professionals. The Young Lady sizzles on the screen and obviously does her homework on her roles very well. For the new generation, she is a good example of how an Actor Prepares. What the future holds for her in Nollywood is pleasantly poignant. Maybe international recognition would come calling. Perhaps an Oscar or a Golden Globe in the near future? With talent this good, it is possible.



NUMBER 2: BIMBO AKINTOLA


Easily, Bimbo Akintola would be my best pick any day and I had to mull much on whether to have a joint Number One this year. However, it is my pleasure to re-introduce Bimbo to an audience who hitherto knew she was one of the best in the country and would have to re-validate that perception after watching her in the movie ‘ 93 Days’. Her interpretation of Dr Ameyo Adadevoh, the late heroine of the Ebola Crisis faced by the Nigeria in 2014, was beautifully done. Bimbo took us all through the build ups, the family bond, the professional ethics and the uncanny heroism of Dr Adadevoh. Watching her with a lump in our throats and a pang in our hearts, one can tell that the Sympathy Value she brings to the story was enhanced by our willing suspension of disbelief. Is Bimbo good? Heck, no! She is excellent! She is in a class by herself and…..no….scratch that. She is in a Master Class by herself and acting students have no other option but to learn from her for years to come.




NUMBER 1: SOMKELE IYAMAH-IDHALAMA




Who’s this graceful young lady who shook the Nollywood in 2016 with her prowess and panache? Where did she come from? How come a gust of fresh wind could smell so arty and refreshing?

The answers to those questions are as much to be found in Somkele Iyamah-Idhalama as they would be asked of her in the first place. I first noticed Somkele perhaps a couple of years ago in the Ndani TV Web series ‘Gidi Up’ and though she stood out there, what struck me back then was that this young lady has such a powerful screen presence which looked under-utilised in that fare. Perhaps, a couple of Directors noticed it too because in 2016, Somkele came out smoking in two movies; ‘93 Days’ and ‘ The Arbitration’. In the latter, she believably plays the part of a Legal Counsel who represents her client and is conflicted as new revelations crop up during the proceedings. I was quite struck by Somkele’s deliberate mellow range in that movie and that made me sit up a bit to assess her in the other movie, ‘93 Days’. She plays Dr Ada Igonoh, an Ebola Survivor in the movie and it was in that portrayal that she won our hearts. Somkele gave us an insight into the conflicted emotions of that character. We saw pathos, poignancy, pain, and possibilities in her character. Most of all, she portrayed the power of Hope to the hilt. She was Ada Igonoh and not Somkele for the duration of the movie (and expectedly so, if one would say that was what was expected of her). And there was something very powerful about her final Walk of Life out of the hospital, where she gave a backward glance. That glance tells it all; a goodbye to an ordeal and there are few actors who can pack such innuendoes into a non-verbal action like that.

This lady lit up the screens in 2016. Let’s hope she continues to shine in the following years because she is, in my opinion, a new example of good acting.

And that’s the Truth, Ruth!


from www.charlesnoviadaily.com


*Coming up: The Best 5 ACTORS in Nollywood in 2016



*Charles Novia is an award-winning avant garde Nollywood Filmmaker, author, culture critic, social commentator and media entrepreneur.

79 comments:

  1. Well that's his opinion
    I didn't watch much of Nollywood movies this year so I will pass.

    Zeeworld got me hooked.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. He couldn't have said it any better especially top 3 tho Adesua should be number 1. I'm yet to see Nancy in a movie tho, I'd look out for her. Dr Ada in 93days was all shades of splufik. Good rating Charles !

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    2. Adesua etomi, bimbo akintola..... I agree with this two.
      I don't know the rest.

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  2. I like no 1 and 2 sha. The people that picked the cast for 93 days did it with plenty sense. Much respect

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    Replies
    1. Bimbo akintola is phenomenal yet under celebrated.

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  3. Replies
    1. Only Hush fans will know Ade Laoye(Oye). She's good. Really good.

      Somkele, Adesua and Nancy are good too.

      Somkele did well in Arbitration

      They're all good but Bimbo is best.

      All the best to them

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    2. This comment has been removed by the author.

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    3. Ade Laoye 🙌🙌🙌🙌

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    4. Bimbo is in a class all by herself, phenomenal actress anyday, anytime

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  4. Naa only aunty Bimbo I know. Asaba movie ti take over.

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  5. Charles have come again(no mind my English)
    The only one I know is bimbo and adesua.

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  6. All lagos actors, mtchewwwwwwwwwwww, very long hiss, good but we don't even know them?

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  7. I agree with Adesua and the Somkele, Somkele delivered her role in THE ARBITRATION well, very well.

    Adesua can never do any wrong in my eyes, even her tears come out right.

    But I think Nse should be somewhere in this list.

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  8. Stella's love for Inyama hennn, I love Bimbo Akintola any day anytime




    *Larry was here*

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  9. Charles Novia till I see most of these actresses except Bimbo do a village movie,till then sit your ass somewhere and spare me your thoughts.

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  10. Bimbo, Adesua and Nancy are very good actresses, the rest, I don't know.
    Charles has been quiet for a while now, abi recession affect his writing too?

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  11. Bimbo Akintola should be number one abeg...
    Her acting is the bomb!...
    I don't know why she has not blown like others...
    She should leave small small RUNZ alone and start hunting for the bigger fish!...

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  12. Charles o Novia, it's not by big grammar.
    This is some kind of advert I think for these new acts but its all good the young shall grow. Yes Adesua is okay and pretty , saw her in arbitration but no WOW factor for me.
    Bimbo, is my favorite or all time.
    Nse, is fantastic.
    Mercy, oldie but golden.

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    Replies
    1. Of all the people mentioned, I only know adesua and bimbo. I don't think for a veteran in the field,it's right to judge prowess based on one or two (cinema and high budget) movies when there are artistes who have acted acted under the best and worst conditions but still delivered impeccably. NSE,bimbo,mercy and are still my best of all times. They've proven themselves iconic!

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  13. For me Adesua is not a fantastic actress,bimbo is the only one I give a pass here.

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  14. For me Adesua is not a fantastic actress,bimbo is the only one I give a pass here.

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  15. Yes the last lady too is very beautiful, couldn't take my eyes off of her in arbitration.

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  16. I don't know about the rest, but Bimbo, Adesua and Somkele deserve being on that list. Bimbo is one bad ass actor that gets better with age, she interprets roles very well.

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  17. I think Charles is aware that this list will cause controversy!

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  18. I don't know the others but Etomi,bimbo are good actress

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  19. Am I so out of touch that I don't even know nollywOod faces again?

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  20. Hian for this list!
    Whatever happened to Rita Dominic and Nse Ikpe Etim? Ini Edo? Mercy Johnson? Queen Nwokoye? Rachael Okonkwo?

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    Replies
    1. They said of 2016. 2016. Do you know what that means?

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    2. Errmm yes ma! I do know what that means... thank you very much. But do you know which year it is?? Have you watched any movies lately?

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  21. He shd go and look bush who is interested in his list?!!!

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  22. I love bimbo akintola, she's good. She can fit into any character perfectly; rich, poor, educated, uneducated, seduction role etc. She's versatile like Mercy Johnson. If u guys watch Professor Johnbull on NTA you will understand. Mercy Johnson is also a member of the cast. That reminds me, people say MJ is now the tout of Nollywood but I disagree. MJ is one of the few Nollywood actors that can act the role of an illiterate lady perfectly. Most of our nollywood actors have picked up a fake american or British accent and don't know that when acting the role of a village/illiterate person they are supposed to drop the fake accent and talk with a native accent. I remember watching tonto on African Magic, she was supposed to be a village girl selling foodstuffs in the market. When I heard her speak, I cringed! There was no difference btw the way she speaks during interviews on TV and the way she spoke in the movie like WTF!
    Even Idris alba an American, had to drop his ORIGINAL American accent and learn the south African accent in a long walk to freedom

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    Replies
    1. God bless you. Tonto's diction disgusts me and the way she rolls her eyes and neck? Arrrrggghhh. Village girl with emirati nails and hardcore tattoos.

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    2. Mercy is a guru! She can do no wrong with her roles. She's a natural.

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    3. Idris Elba is British please,not American.

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  23. Na only adesua etomi I dey see, I love shuga naija.

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  24. I don't understand this list, I only know Bimbo

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  25. Bimbo Akintola is my Number 1 pick! *dropsmic*

    Kelvin Dat Edo Boi (Stellz Cousin)

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  26. I don't think they all qualify. Number 5,4 and 1 should be classied at "top upcoming actresses". You have a lot of better actresses who have even featured in more roles. This is just Charles Novia's personal opinion based on what he thinks appeals to him.

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  27. I choose only bimbo.love her a lot.

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  28. Bimbo Akintola, my nollywood crush all day long. My "Tutu", anyone remember that movie where her dad was the G.O of a church and she seduced RMD who was also a pastor in the church.

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    Replies
    1. Yes I remember that epic movie bimbo akintola is the best actress on that list.

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    2. Yes.Out of bounds.Great movie

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    3. She blew a kiss to RMD during sermon n he became confused ' David said to Goliath, Peter u will deny me three times' I laff tire.

      Delete
  29. The only actress I KNOW there is Bimbo Akintola.
    Good luck to the rest.

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  30. Where are all our Asaba actresses ? Mr Novia, is this cinema movies list? Oya, biko do Asaba list for us. How can these actresses be showing us set pictures from their season 1 to 6 movies on IG all year long and not have a list. Not fair, Kikikikikiki.

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    Replies
    1. Asaba movies are the best,leave all these big bog English actors,they are not even versatile.

      Delete
  31. Adesuwa and bimbo I know.
    Who are the rest... They don't even know me. Who really cares.

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  32. I can relate with the first three, but the fourth and fifth I am not sure. How can someone who has starred in just two movies qualify to be the best for the year? Not too sure about that.

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  33. Somkele Yes.
    Adesua Yes.
    The rest are ghosts.
    Adesua comes before Somkele.

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    Replies
    1. Chai.So Bimbo Akintola is a ghost. Person Don suffer o.

      Delete
  34. My bae Nancy is there I gat no worries

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  35. Bimbo Akintola always gives her best, as far as I'm concern Bimbo is the best. From out of bound till day my love for her know no bound

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  36. Oh yeah?! I don't even know these faces apart from Bimbo Akintola. Nollywood is no longer my thing like it used to be biko. What they act now is total rubbish and therefore no longer interested.

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  37. Fair enough! But then it is his list. Well, he's yet to meet the likes of me *dreamy eyes*.

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  38. As far as i'm concerned, Adesua Etomi is the best nollywood actress for now. She knows how to interpret roles. I've got mad love for her and NO, i'm not a lesbian.

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    Replies
    1. Then u have not seen movies, check Eve Esin and thank me later,many very good upcomers.

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    2. Eve essien ke...I meant adesua is the best upcoming nollywood actress for now.

      Delete
  39. As much as I dislike this loquacious nigga,can't help but respect his good command of English language...jeez!!

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  40. Noted. I didn't watch any nollywood movies this year and i'm just seeing most of these name for the first time.

    I wonder the criteria he used for selecting them.

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  41. Not a fan of Nigerian movies.Haven't seen any of the above mentioned movies.

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  42. doppelganger with her myopic comment as usual.....he said movies he watched in 2016....people should read before rushing to comment..

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    Replies
    1. Thank you for noticing my myopia.
      Nse, was in a trip to Jamaica or was that last year? Mercy has equally done movies this year too, so please let me know when you state your point.

      Delete
  43. blossom u are officially daft....u wonder the criteria abi? go back and read, he said his criteria there. gosh u people dont read but rush to comment

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    Replies
    1. Abeg no need for the insult.As the 'wise anon' that is you na.

      Delete
  44. I agree but i feel Bimbo should be in a class of her own considering all the other names are upcoming actresses. I gat love for my Adesua

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  45. The only nollywood actress for me is Genevieve and nse,God Genny gave outstanding performance in WIND OF GLORY as a blind girl, she can play any character effortlessly

    ReplyDelete

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