It’s been a minute and here is what I’ve been working on. I sing, I write, I act and I tell stories. I am a modern day griot and a cultural ambassador and my name is Tosinger. 🙂
Here’s introducing, the first vlog/webisode/series, whatever you choose to call it, edition of my weekly (on Tuesdays) folk storytelling project- TALES WITH TOSINGER,
Folk tales and fables are an educational and entertaining means of passing down traditions and customs from one generation to the next. An African tradition for several generations, adults would tell tales by the moonlight while teaching morals and lessons. I have chosen to gather adults and children alike around a social app, a youtube video, the millennial way to get the world’s attention 😉
The inspiration….
Enjoy Episode #001 Dawu the Lion King. DO SUBSCRIBE, like, comment and spread the word. Ese! ( pronounced “E-shay ” — which means ‘Thank you’ in Yoruba)
This blog brings you the best and latest of African talent and art; on the continent and in the diaspora. Here are 3 movie finds that would be worth checking out-
thE CeO
Synopsis: TransWire Communications is a global phone network with major operation in Nigeria. The CEO, an expatriate, has retired hence the Global Chairman has decided to send five nominees amongst his most senior level staff across Africa on a Leadership course in order to determine which one to appoint as the new CEO of Nigeria.
Popular Nigerian filmmaker, Kunle Afolayan, on Thursday in a press conference unveiled the full details of his next movie, The CEO. The film showcases a cross-selection of African & international cast and crew members with diverse talents and backgrounds.
The cast includes Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter, entertainer and activist from Benin, Angélique Kidjo; Haitan actor and model Jimmy Jean-Louis, best known for his role as The Haitan on the NBC television series Heroes; actor and founder of the New Nigeria Cinema movement, Wale Ojo; French-Ivorian actress and model, Aurelie Eliam; South African actor and presenter, Nicolaos Panagiotopoulos; Nigerian actress, Kemi Lala Akindoju; Moroccan star, Fatym Layachi; Kenyan actor Peter King, and Nigerian actress, Hilda Dokubo among others.
Synopsis – The CEO tells the story of TransWire Communications, a global phone network with major operation in Nigeria. The CEO, an expatriate, has retired; hence the Global Chairman has decided to send five nominees among his most senior-level staff across Africa on a leadership course in order to determine which one to appoint as the new CEO of Nigeria. The process that started relatively smoothly suddenly climaxed in a game of an intriguing death.
(Trailer not yet released) To stay updated, follow on Facebook here or follow the hashtag #theceomovie on social media
FifTy
Hot off its selection for the 2015 BFI London Film Festival, EbonyLife Films today released the official trailer for its highly acclaimed feature film, Fifty. The movie stars Ireti Doyle, Dakore Egbuson-Akande, Omoni Oboli and Nse Ikpe-Etim.
Directed by Biyi Bandele and executively produced by Mo Abudu, FIFTY, captures a few pivotal days in the lives of four Nigerian women at the pinnacle of their careers. Tola, Elizabeth, Maria and Kate are forced at midlife to take inventory of their personal lives, while juggling careers and family against the sprawling backdrops of the upper middle-class neighbourhoods of Lagos.
The trailer is a sneak peek into this tender but unflinching exploration of love and lust, power and rivalry, life and loss in twenty-first century Lagos. The four lead characters, six-inch heels, partying hard and loving strong, with courage and fortitude, navigate life’s unending curveballs.
Fifty will premiere in a special grand Lagos ceremony on the 13th of December 2015 at The Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos and will be released in cinemas nationwide on the 18th of December 2015.
The powerful new film starring Idris Elba recently had its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival and will screen at the Telluride Film Festival, Toronto Film Festival, and London Film Festival. Beasts of No Nation, A Netflix Original Film.
Synopsis – When civil war tears his family apart, a young West African boy is forced to join a unit of mercenary fighters and transform into a child soldier. Available in select theaters and on Netflix October 16.
Written and directed by Emmy Award winner Cary Fukunaga (“True Detective,” Sin Nombre) and starring Golden Globe winner Idris Elba (“Luther,” Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom), Beasts of No Nation will debut Friday, October 16, 2015, the same day in Landmark theatres in the U.S. and worldwide on Netflix in all territories where the world’s leading Internet TV network is available.
Beasts of No Nation is based on the highly-acclaimed novel by Nigerian author Uzodinma Iweala, bringing to life the gripping tale of Agu, a child soldier torn from his family to fight in the civil war of an African country. Newcomer Abraham Attah gives a stunning portrayal of Agu, while Elba dominates the screen in the role of Commandant, a warlord who takes in Agu and instructs him in the ways of war.
The film is produced by Amy Kaufman and Cary Fukunaga (who previously worked together on Sin Nombre), Daniela Taplin Lundberg, Riva Marker and Dan Crown for Red Crown Productions, along with Elba. Jeff Skoll and Jonathan King are executive producers for Participant Media; Donna Gigliotti is executive producer for Levantine Films; Elizabeth Koch and Kristina Kendall are executive producers for New Balloon; and Bill Benenson, Laura Bickford and Todd Courtney are also executive producers.
View Trailer
Beautifully Dreaming, Positively Doing
Tosinger
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Tempting Fate, the Movie, comes to African (Nigerian + Ghanaian) Cinemas on July 17, 2015. Directed By US Based Nigerian Filmmaker Kevin Nwankwor of KevSTel Group and Theatrical Distribution for West Africa handled by Silverbird Distribution Company, Tempting Fate is a ‘Hollywood meets Nollywood’ riveting film that will keep you on the edge of your seat, scene by scene. Starring RAMSEY NOUAH as UGO and ANDREW ONOCHIE as EDU , two brothers, one of deep faith and the other buried in a life of crime who have their worlds torn apart when the wrong one goes to jail and the other commits an unforgivable act.
Synopsis
Two brothers share the same blood but walk parallel paths. Tempting Fate is the story of two brothers ; Edu and his older brother Ugo Okoye. Edu is a talented singer, he is calm, reflective and peaceful. He relies on his spirituality and the love of his wonderful girlfriend Tracey to help him combat a life threatening illness.
On the other hand, Ugo is hotheaded, impulsive and at times menacing. He finds himself wrapped in a life of robbery and crime which he knows will lead him down a path of destruction but it’s not an easy one to leave; a point his gang leader Scorpion (Dan Davies) has made clear. In an attempt to get money for a lifesaving procedure for his brother, Ugo triggers a chain of events that sends their worlds clashing, leaving behind a trail of hurts , deception and betrayal. Does the walker choose the path or the path the walker ?
Watch the Trailer below
About Kevin Nwakwor
via IMDb
Kevin Nkem Nwankwor (KNN) – Film Director
Kevin Nkem Nwankwor (KNN) has had a passion for film throughout his life. Born in Issele-Uku Nigeria, he has made persistent steps toward his dream of becoming an accomplished filmmaker, first writing plays for the children and adult ministries of his local church, while leading its drama group.
While he studied Project Management and ultimately earned a
Bachelor of Science degree from the Federal University of Technology (2000), the passion still burned brightly to make films and provide entertainment. While in college, he formed its first Christian drama troupe, The Heavenly Theater (also known as The Thevites), and wrote and directed such plays as “In The Den of Agbalakwem” I and II (1996) and “Ashes of Regret” (1998). Kevin also toured with his troupe around universities throughout the East of Nigeria.
Before graduation, he went on to star in Nollywood movies “Enemies” (1997) and “Heartless” (1997) with veteran actors Kanayo O Kanayo, Saint Obi and Eucharia Anunobi. He also created and produced live comedy show “Comedy Half Hour,” hosted on NTA Channel 5 Abuja.
In 2008, after relocating to Atlanta, Kevin earned an MBA degree in Marketing (2010). This was the next step toward his dream of becoming a well-rounded filmmaker. Two years later, he obtained a Masters of Fine Art in Filmmaking from the New York Film Academy. Today, that experience has led to the successful production a number of film works that showcase his faith with stories that move the soul. Kevin served as writer, producer and director for shorts films “Enemy Within” (2012) and “A Mother’s Love” (2012). The latter-based on a true-life event-was an official selection at Georgia’s Gwinnett Film Festival (July 2013) and Spain’s Marbella Film Festival (October 2013). His most current work is “Tempting Fate”
In addition, Kevin is CEO of faith-based entertainment company KevStel Group LLC, in Atlanta, where he resides with his wife Unoma, and their two children. The company’s mission is to provide quality content based on faith, hope and love through visuals and print.
A KevStel Production distributed by Silverbird Distribution
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