Coal City Cinema Complex, Enugu, Enugu State (A Study On In Tegrating Cinema Into Nigerian Lifestyle)

ABSTRACT

Chukwuenyem, (2007) "People have always sought to portray, in as possible, beliefs,

lifestyles, social ills, history, and simple pleasant fiction, through many art forms

especially drama recently films. For such exposition the cinema suffices as an

invaluable tool."

Cinema is an important tool in building cultural institutions, and reinforcing cultural

pride. The cinema could be used to heal the psychological wounds created by slavery

and colonialism and to provide moral upliftment.

The introduction of modern technology has no doubt grven this great industry

tremendous development. Nigeria was no exception to this widespread enthusiasm for

cinema as this was the trend between the 60's- early 80's. Somehow over the years this

culture began to suffer setback as certain factors began to creep into the social and

economic life of Nigerians which has resulted in the low cinema consciousness of the

average Nigerian who now became content with just sitting at home and watching

home video movies.

However, according to the Managing Director of Genesis Deluxe Cinema, Lagos, Mr

Kene Mkparu, with an experience of two decades in the cinema industry across Europe

and America, "there' s nothing compared to the cinema experience when put side by

side with the popular home video." According to him, while Home video majors on the

story, the Cinema focuses on the screen picture, cinematography, and quality sound and

entertainment value. It gives a bigger perspective of the picture which helps the story.

The need for Cinema Complexes in the society with fast growing movie industries

cannot be overemphasized . They do not only serve as entertainment arenas but also as a

means of checking piracy in corrupt regions/countries as well as provide employment

for a reasonable number of people.

Happily the culture is beginning to reappear in the country, nevertheless, this very vital

infrastructure is lacking in most part of Nigeria, and more importantly, in Enugu where

a good number of movie-loving Nigerians live.

The aim of this dissertation, therefore, is to provide a Model Cinema Complex in

Enugu, integrating cinema into the life of the people, bearing in mind what the existing

way of life is.