Glatt Orbis: Using youthful energies for creativity in Nigeria’s theatre, movie sector

GLATT Orbis consists of a group of five young Nigerians who are working to take the theatre and movie production sector of the Nigerian economy by storm.

Members of the group, Adeleke Alex, Anthony Oluwaseun, Gana Neville, Taiwo Olamide and the only lady among them, Tijani Fatimo, met as undergraduates at the Lead City University, Ibadan, Oyo State, while forming a bond that will definitely herald a successful partnership in the arts sector.

Having worked on staging some plays in theatres in some cities across the country, the group is, however, ready for a big challenge by working on a movie production, Olokunesin.

The movie, according to a member of the group, Adeleke, is a cultural movie which will tell the story of what happened among the Yoruba people in 1945.

“It is a historic play, and the idea behind it is project the Yoruba culture and tradition, while clearing the air on some misunderstandings.

“We did our research, and that is why we are coming out with the movie. We have completed everything about the movie, but we are yet to begin shooting,” Adeleke said.

With the fact that shooting a standard movie is not a child’s play, the group is already facing some challenges in raising fund for the project.

“Sponsorship is the only stumbling block we are facing as regard the movie, Olokunesin. We are not giving up, and we are using our contacts and networks to see if we can get sponsors for the project.

“Some things are very difficult for start-up organizations in Nigeria, and this is why we are finding it hard to get sponsors.

“Organisations that sponsor such projects focus only on established filmmakers, forgetting that the next generation of filmmakers need to start from somewhere,” Gana, another member of the group said.

On the efforts they have made so far, Tijani said the group had written to some organisations, “and hopeful, they can appreciate what we are working on, while deciding to come to our aid.

“Apart from Olokunesin, we have several contemporary stories we are working on, but everything will depend on the success of our first project,” Tijani said.

With the hope that their first project would be a success when they finally find a sponsor, Leigh says, “we don’t want to be a Nigerian movie production company alone, we want to be an African movie production company. We want to tell the story of Africa to the world, and we are starting by telling our story first in Nigeria.”

However, the group believes that when success comes their way, they won’t break-up the organisation, with Taiwo saying, “we will continue to work together. We have been together for four years, and everybody has an input in what we are doing.

“Glatt Orbis is not a one-man show. Everything we are doing is a collective effort, and that means we will continue to work together, no matter what happens in the nearest future,” Taiwo said.