While the projection department was encountering some lapses, General – ToxZik mounted the stage with some b*at boxing magic. He had been all over the place earlier during the days setting up. like they say, pasison consumes fatigue, and how he made musical beats with his mouth is a talk for another day. He stole the night to showcase that side of him which many didn’t know existed.
If Blaise B had been having poor and rugged outings in the past, then the Bamboozler movie premiere was a night where all that was whitewashed. All the bad days he’s ever had at work turned to his glory. It rained money on the Akwandor boss, when Kang Quintus, his buddy, reverenced him like the “Papa” he is. Highly motivated, he later on jumped into the crowd, performing about four of his hit songs, and the crowd for the first time on the night stood on their feet.
This wasn’t without backlash from Blaise B. In his words, “I’m used to that bad habit of us performing and you not cheering. This night is not my night, it’s mommy Belinda’s night. So do it for her, not for me, coz I know my value. Most of your stars, I made them, I taught them how to sing. So it’s just about time”
While throwing some words of appreciation, Blaise B appreciated Jovi for connecting him with Belinda Babila. He also expressed his gratitude to Kang Quitus. It was a beautiful moment that every Cameroonian artist would long for. Syndy Emade and Kang Quintus were on stage during his performance to seal the night.
The Movie
The movie didn’t premiere entirely due to time issues, so it was partly watched. However, we’ll try to summarize it for swift understanding.
Around midnight, it was time to watch the movie Bamboozler. Lights were obviously out, phones all in the bags and only the lights from the projector were reflecting on the faces of a curios audience. All attention was now on the large projector.
The movie which was written by Actor Franklin Tochi Nwosu produced by Belinda Babila, and directed by Chidi Mokeme, is a story of love, womanizing, assassination and deception. It is a collaborative affair by Cameroonians and Nigerians. It shows diversity as many foreign and unpopular faces, equally graced the movie.
It’s Belinda’s début movie project as actor and producer to begin with. So this was like an assessment shot, to see whether she should focus on Philanthropy or afd this new qualification to her CV, and guess what? It’s a bang! This was equally Chidi’s first movie as director, so it was an obvious adventure for both in some dimension.
The movie is shot in the United States, in 4K quality, dope cars, dope scenes and a luxurious neighborhood with great infrastructure.
The movie begins with Belinda, drinking her life out, suffering from an emotional and money scam.
Charles, played by Chidi Mokeme, is a serial womanizer and killer. He’s romantic, gentle and handsome. He’s every girl’s dream man, but that’s all just a heartbreaker, parcelled in his gentility and thievery. The official movie review will come after Yaounde, where it will be fully watched. But expect Romance, love and revenge. Also don’t watch it around your kids… it’s 5/5 an adult movie with adult scenes!
Fundraising
The movie dubbed, a movie for a cause, it’s aimed at raising funds to build a multiple purpose centre at the Mabanda vicinity in Douala, to support internally displaced persons as well as less privilege. So though the movie was all fun, it was aimed at a more important aspect which is valorising community service and vaporizing disregard fir humanity.
Kang Quintus who was showered with deserving praises, was ushered on stage. He made a few acknowledgements and revealed that he had just come from the airport, straight to the movie premiere. He supported the project with 500,000 XAF.
He was followed by a beautifully talented Syndy Emade who congratulated the team for a job well done and supported with 300,000 XAF. Ex-Miss Burundi, Lilian, supported with 300,000 XAF (she came all the way from Dallas to lend a hand). The president of the Cameroon Film Industry Brenda Shey Elung supported with 100,000 XAF, Kellie Peace supported with 200,000 XAF, and the list goes on and on.
The Controversy
Moments later, a very excited Belinda, would invite her team on stage to appreciate them. Just after that, she would invite Zack Orji, on stage too. She labeled him “her Godfather” in the movie industry and was full of praises for him fir his support to her journey so far.
Chidi Mokeme was given the microphone and he already earned new name from an excellently executed lead role in the movie. The crowd called him “Bamboozler” when he grabbed the mic, and just like a little baby offered a candy, he smiled endlessly, relishing his praises which were undoubtedly deserving. He spew many acknowledgements about the Cameroon film Industry and where it’s headed and solicited for more collaborative work!
“We need more collaboration to be where we want to be. We don’t need competition against each other, but for each other” Said Chidi Mokeme who had expressed his joy for having been part of the movie.
An agitated Kang Quintus screamed in the crowd, saying “I disagree”. This sparked the debate of the night… Chidi then honored Kang by calling him on stage. He showed up and was against Chidi’s statement. Kang Quintus said,
“Cameroon doesn’t need Nigeria to survive. I can’t sit and watch the work we’ve put in over these years disrespected” This was shocking that Zack Orji had to intervene. Zack Orji revealed that Africa doesn’t need Hollywood, and Kang fired back by saying “then it’s like saying Cameroon doesn’t need Nollywood.”
Well, the debate would not have finished by now, if it wasn’t interrupted by the fact that we had to call it a night. Chidi on ending his speech, told Kang Quintus, that he’s willing to feature in his next movie, even if it means for free. Kang didn’t reply that though, but was still on his point, unapologetically.
The audience later retired to the red carpet especially after what was a night of twist and turns. The producer had thanked everyone for coming, the partners for supporting and then rushed for interviews.
The crowed was excited having snap shots with their stars, but it can’t be argued that there was still tension in the air, following the incident that had just occured moments before we called it a night. The movie will be premiered in Yaounde, the capital of Cameroon.
*Acknowledgements The Cameroonian entertainment industry must be applauded and acknowledged. This is not to the stakeholders alone, but the crowd and supporters who stay regardless the lateness of the shows. They should be given thumbs up and it’s just an indication that with many sweet projects, they’ll be there to support.
