THREE COUNTRIES WITH BOOMING MOVIES INDUSTRIES, THAT ARE NOT THE US;

very year, Hollywood creates hundreds of theatrical releases and exports, many of those films overseas, contributing to Hollywood’s yearly revenue of over $10 billion. Hollywood also gave rise to the blockbuster, big-budget spectacle films designed for easy watching with explosions, romance, impressive graphics, and exciting plots. However, the U.S. film industry easily
overtakes more regional fare; many countries just cannot compete with the heavily promoted, CGI-laden films that Hollywood distributes.

But, some countries have overcome this challenge and developed their own massive film industry, becoming competitive and often surpassing the U.S. in terms of volume, quality, and appeal. While many of us are familiar with the films from Japan, France, UK, and Germany and so on, some of the largest producers of films in the world might surprise you.

So, here are three countries with booming movie industries and films that make them great.

1. South Korea 

2. Nigeria 

3. India

 Nigeria

Apparently nicknamed Nollywood, Nigeria comes in second place (after India) in highest number of films produced: 876 in 2006, almost double the United States for the same year. Almost 50 films a week are produced; in Nigeria, only the government employs more people than the film industry.

These films are often straight to DVD releases featured in English (for a wider distribution) and are rarely filmed in a studio. Rather, its commonplace to see film crews in the streets, or apartment buildings and offices rented out for a few weeks; these films are quickly cut and then distributed to much of Africa (especially Ghana).

In fact, such easy and quick distribution of Nigerian films has given concern to some about the “Nigerianisation” of Africa, a worry that Nigerian culture will stamp out more regional cultures and dialects.

While most Nigerian films are produced quickly, with maybe little concern for quality, thematically, Nigerian cinema is very in-tune with the struggles of Africa. Films often cover topics about conflicts over faith, balancing modernity and tradition, and of course, the struggles of family. In some ways, Nigerian film seems more realistically grounded in the troubles of the everyman and the search for a better life than most of Western cinema: Nigerian films focus more on the journey of progression, rather than the completion.

Because most Nigerian films go straight to video, it can be difficult to get a hold of a copy, so instead, consider watching one these acclaimed documentaries about Nigerian film: This is Nollywood by Franco Sacchi and Robert Caputo (2006), or Welcome to Nollywood by Jamie Meltzer (2007).

If you’re interested in moving straight to Nigerian cinema though, The Amazing Grace (2006) about a British slave trader who reforms and goes on to write the song, Amazing Grace, or Osoufia in London (2003), a comedy about an African deer hunter who ends up in England.