Despite mediocre sound quality and a lack of special effects, Nigerian films are growing in popularity in South Florida, especially among Caribbean natives. In strip plazas in Lauderdale Lakes, Miramar, West Palm Beach and North Miami, vendors who used to specialize in movies from Jamaica and Haiti said they've recently switched their focus to African films because of the demand.
"These movies are entertaining," said Fay Bailey, a retired nurse from Jamaica. "They showcase the beauty and strength in Africa, and there's more laughter than anything." Fans say they help satisfy a need here, where mainstream films starring black performers are few and far between. They like the intelligent dialogue, relative absence of nudity and the prominence given to areas of Nigeria and Ghana not usually seen on Western television.
Caminito Rose, who is originally from Haiti, began selling the movies about four months ago in his North Miami store, Lionel Productions African Movie Mall. He said on an average Saturday he sells about 400 Nigerian movies. Fans say it's not the price but the story lines that keep them wanting more.
Hopeton Green, of Lauderdale Lakes, said he buys them because "the backgrounds reminded me so much of Jamaica. The way the people dressed, their demeanor. The accent was the only thing that really marked the difference." Leonard said she became hooked after watching Blood Sisters, about a bad sister trying to destroy the good sister's life.
So about a year ago, she started selling the movies at her music stores, Se Mizik Lakay, in Lauderdale Lakes and Oakland Park. Other retailers say their clients introduced them to the films. "I started selling them about two months ago because people came to me and asked me for certain titles," said Jerome Altidort, manager at VS Music Store, in West Palm Beach, which specializes in Haitian music and movies.read more...
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