Preview 'The Meeting' (Cinema Of The Absurd, Courtesy Of Nollywood)

There's an absurdity to this that made me laugh almost throughout as I watched the trailer. But a good kind of absurdity, as in, it's intentional, meant to poke fun at bureaucratic red-tape - in Nigeria specifically, although this could be in many other parts of the world.

I've only recently started to get into Nollywood movies, so maybe I'm still wet behind the ears, but the condescending attitude the rest of the industrial world seems to have when it comes to Nollywood cinema, is unfair I think. Given much of what I've seen of Nollywood cinema since I started really watching earlier this year, I can definitely say that I've seen enough work that's better than most would give credit for.

I think in the muck of it all, a few contenders get overlooked. I'm not saying that this is a great film by any stretch, but, as I started out saying, there's enough here that would make me want to see the rest of it.

I think of Kafka of all people, and the hopelessness and absurdity that are common themes in his works.

Titled The Meeting, the film opened in Nigeria late in October.

Synopsis:

“The Meeting” is a romantic-drama set mainly in Abuja. Lagos-based corporate executive Makinde Esho finds himself at the mercy of political patronage, bureaucratic red-tape and his tender heart when he embarks on a one day business trip to Abuja to secure a government contract.

The film is directed by Mildred Okwo, and produced by Mildred Okwo & Rita Dominic. Cinematography by Jim Bishop.

The starring cast includes: Rita Dominic, Kate Henshaw, Nse Ikpe-Etim, Basorge Tariah, Chika Chukwu, and Chinedu Ikedieze.

Watch the trailer below: