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Nollywood Director Charles Novia names the Best 5 Nollywood Actors of 2013
And it is here.
Last week, Nollywood director/producer Charles Novia released his list of the “Best 5 Nollywood Actress of 2013” (click here to read), now he has presented us with the “Best 5 Nollywood Actors of 2013″.
OC Ukeje, who stars in Charles Novia’s latest movie Alan Poza tops the list. Ramsey Nouah and Odunlade Adekola also make the list, but the surprising names on the list include comedians Bovi and Seyi Law.
Check it out!
1. OC Ukeje
“No apologies to anyone. My Number One Actor for 2013 would be OC Ukeje. In arriving at this conclusion, I had the uncomfortable task of distancing his acting in my movie “Alan Poza” from the list of other movies he was assessed with. But one cannot ignore that in 2013 alone, OC has won the “Best Actor” diadem FOUR TIMES at the AMVCA, NEA, BON and NMA awards. He has also been nominated for ‘ Best Actor’ a record EIGHT TIMES in a single year. Now, that is enough to make heads turn and so they should. This is a feat even the older acts in Nollywood cannot boast of.
Watching OC Ukeje in three movies in the past year was a stunning experience. Since 2006 when OC won the top prize in the “Amstel Malta Box Office” (AMBO), the young man had been relatively quiet and picky with his scripts, preferring to feature more in stage productions and promising scripts. That sense of purpose paid off in the long run. Like the Bible says, you can’t hide a light under a bushel. OC’s illumination in the acting space can be seen in “Confusion Na Wa”, “The Awakening” and “Hoodrush”. In these movies, the power of his art can be seen. He has an unusual intensity as an actor and a peculiar propensity to project his characterisation which would leave many with gaping mouths.
This young man has a lot to give to us in the nearest future. All we have to do is to receive.”
2. Ramsey Nouah
“It was tough putting Ramsey in the Number 2 spot because he is a damned good actor. Very good. Having worked with him in eight of my movies in the past, I know his abilities but I am yet to know his acting limitations. Over the years, Ramsey has explored his inner depths as an actor and tries to push the envelope. He comes across as one who takes his roles seriously and so he should.”
3. Odunlade Adekola
“I don’t judge actors on whether they are in Nollywood or in “Yoruwood” or any other ethnic coinage. There are certain qualities an actor in any category of the industry must have in assessing him. Personally, I think the Yoruba movies as well as the other ethnic movies have an advantage over the English movies in the areas of acting because the acting comes naturally to them unlike the English movies where more is needed to compete with the global parameters.”
4. Blossom Chuks Chukwujekwu
“Somehow, in 2013, Blossom came into the scene and perhaps asserted himself as one we all must take notice of. I watched him in ‘Flower Girl’ in February 2013 at the cinemas and apart from an obvious on-screen charm, I could see that the young man put in a lot of work in his role. There was a certain energy he exuded in that movie which wasn’t lost on many. He isn’t just good looks.”
5. Seyi Law, Bovi Ugboma & Kelechi Udegbe
“Bovi Ugboma is a popular and lovable stand-up comic who has a television series, “The Bovi Ugboma Show”. His body of work in 2013 is quite impressive and amongst many of such, I particularly judged him on the Rhythm Unplugged promo currently shown on Silverbird Television.”
“Seyi Law, though known as a stand-up comic, moved steps furthed in 2013 with some commendable acting in the the ‘Orijin in Ibadan’ sketch on youtube. Seyi was adept as the effusive and garulous Yoruba mogul who gets more than he bargained for in a restaurant.”
“Kelechi Udegbe, may not be well known to many of you. In fact, I never knew him from Adam before I stumbled on his comedy skit on youtube and I was completely blown away. His role as the corrupt Officer Titus, a parody of some of our staple traffic enforcement officers, is as funny as it is as formidable.”
