Jimmy B – Urges gov’t to support movie industry

Ace Sierra Leonean musician come movie producer, Jimmy Yeani Bangura, has described film production as capital intensive and calls for government intervention.   “It’s difficult to make movies in Sierra Leone; I have to cut on so many privileges to get things done. We need government and private sector support to develop the movie industry. The music and movie industries will create employment opportunities for our youths,” Jimmy B tells salonejamboree in an exclusive interview.  (Photo: Jimmy B)

Jimmy B, whose early movie experience included an extra’s role in Eddie Murphy’s ‘Coming to America’ in 1989, is credited with the contemporary boom in Sierra Leonean music. After a long sojourn abroad, he returned home in early 2000 to open Paradise Studio, which subsequently provided opportunity for many young Sierra Leoneans aspiring to become musicians.

In recent times Jimmy B has gradually ventured into movie making and has produced and starred in several films including  ‘Live and Let Live’, ‘Eagle Eyes’, ‘Only for Love’, ‘The Assasin’, ‘Aminata’ and ‘For the Love of Money’. His more recent releases include ‘Paradise Island’, ‘The Forbidden’ and ‘Genesis’. Some of these films are being broadcast on major international television and satellite channels including Sky TV in the United Kingdom, AITH in Nigeria, DSTV-Africa Magic and TV Africa in Ghana. He tells salonejamboree that most, if not all, of his films will be broadcast on MNet in November this year.

Some of Jimmy B’s films have Nigerian influences as a result of his experience with Nollywood film makers. Jimmy B says he continues to include Nigerian cast in his movies because of the country’s big market potential and a means to sell emerging Sierra Leonean faces.

“Art is my passion, music and movies are what I enjoy doing…I want people to see the other side of Sierra Leone through our music and movies. I want to showcase the positive side of my country. We have so many things to show…I want Sollywood to be at par with Hollywood,” Jimmy B says.

by SaloneJamboree www.salonejamboree.com

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