Culture

‘Don’t depend on men for your success’, Funke Akindele advises African women

Published

5 days ago

June 26, 2024

Nollywood actress and producer, Funke Akindele, has advised women not to depend on men for their success.

Akindele, a renowned filmmaker and politician, who made the call in an interview, urged women to be enterprising and self-reliant.

The thespian who is fondly called “Jennifa”, emphasized the importance of entrepreneurship for women regardless of their circumstances.

In her words, women should develop entrepreneurial skills and the potential to achieve financial independence.

“Who says women can’t make money?” she asked.

“You don’t have to rely on a man to make it.”

She also advised young women to “stay content and focused on their goals, rather than envying others and living beyond their means.”

“Whatever you have, just start something. Move. Don’t wait for the big opportunity. Even if it’s petty business, just start something.

Sharing her journey to success, Akindele said:

“I used to buy my handbags from ‘bend down select.’ I would wash and iron them and slay with them. Even with the cheap bags, I still felt good. Just believe in yourself.

“Content that would drive you crazy, people that would say things that would upset you, toxic people—avoid them. Because you’re growing in a new space. It’s what you feed yourself with that matters,” she added.

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Culture

Tems, Tyla bag 2024 BET Awards

Published

10 hours ago

July 1, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Nigerian and South African female singers, Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems, and Tyla Laura Seethal, simply known as Tyla, once again, made the continent proud when they bagged different gongs at the BET Awards held at the Peacock Theater in Downtown Los Angeles on Monday.

It was Tems’ fourth and she did it in grand style by edging out top stars like Kirk Franklin, CeCe Winans, Maverick City Music, and others to win the Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award with her 2023 song, “Me & U” at the 2024 ceremony.

Tems had earlier won two BET Awards in 2022 for Best International Act and Best Collaboration for Wizkid’s “Essence”.

In the 2023 edition, Tems also won the Best Collaboration award for her song with Drake and Future “Wait for U”.

South Africa’s “Ampioano” star, Tyla, however, took home two awards for Best New Artist and Best International Act.

The BET Awards, established in 2001 by Black Entertainment Television, is an American award show that recognises and celebrates the achievements of Black entertainers and other underrepresented groups in music, film, sports and philanthropy.

Culture

Egyptian movie Smokey Eyes to compete at 5th Amman Int’l Film Festival

Published

2 days ago

June 30, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Egyptian thriller, “Smokey Eyes”, is set to compete at the 5th Amman International Film Festival which will hold in Jordan from July 3rd to 11th.

“Smokey Eyes”, which was directed by one of Egypt’s top directors, Ali Ali, will feature in the Arab Short Films Competition which will be a tough fight for movies in the MENA region.

“Smokey Eyes” which already had its world premiere at the Red Sea International Film Festival, is a story that delves into the aftermath of the 2011 Egyptian uprising, addressing social issues such as police brutality, religious tensions, and restricted freedoms for women.

The thriller also marks the acting debut of Egyptian rapper, Marwan Moussa, and follows the character Nour, whose planned date night in Cairo is disrupted by unforeseen events.

“Smokey Eyes” also stars Malak Bazid, Marwan Moussa, Hassan Abouelrouss, Nourine Abouseada and Mohamed Aboughali.

Directed by Ali and written by Nancy Ali, it features cinematography by Pierre Mouarkech and editing by Nada Zag and was produced by Khaled Zaki of Good People Films produced the film, with a soundtrack composed by Sary Hany.

Ali Ali is probably Egypt’s number one film director and co-founder of Good People Films who transitioned from being a computer engineer to pursuing his passion for storytelling through film.

He made his directorial debut in advertising with the popular NEVER SAY NO TO PANDA ad, which amassed 100m YouTube views and earned him the prestigious Gold Lion Award at Cannes.

Throughout his career, Ali has garnered numerous accolades, including four coveted Yellow Pencils in Direction from London’s D&AD and over eight Gold Lions from Cannes.

He has also served as the President of the Direction Jury at London’s D&AD Awards in 2020, a member of the Film Jury at Cannes Lions International Festival in 2023, and has been recognized as one of the Ten Most Influential Advertising Directors in the World Today by Adweek and the Gunn Report.