AUDIENCE PERCEPTIVE OF IMAGES OF YOUTHS PRESENTED IN NIGERIA FILMS

  CHAPTER ONE 1.1     INTRODUCTION        Several textual and course analysis of Nigerian films have argued that Nigerian films portray and position Nigerian youths stereotypically and negatively. In line with a feminist ideological perspective of the media then, the films position youths’ at the top of the power hierarchy in a way that reinforces their domination and suppression.        Using discourse theory the representations of youths in Nigerian films also appear to be subtle images that creates “normal” gender identity for female youths by repetitively representing most female youths as inferior subjects and as “immoral” people that are normally corrupt. Specially the representations of youths in Nigerian films are similar to those constructed in soap opera (Modle Skir 1982:92). Modle Skir notes that soap reinforces the work traditionally associated with youths, that is, the function of nurturing relationships and bringing the family together (1982:92). Through the various studies on the portrayal of youths in Nigerian films, it has been argued that Nigerian films don’t only limit representations of youths to be urge addicts and rascals or hardworking people with bright future.        However, in line with the discourse theory, which has been principle underpinning this study a second element that emphasizes the power of most youths to resist and reject such negative representations has been put forward as an important construct of this study; although the representations of youths in Nigerian films, appear to exercise discursive power through their propensity to present dominancy. Youth audiences have significant power to negotiate with or distance themselves from positions identities or meanings created in the films. In other words, they can re-appropriate and interpret the meanings that are being imposed on them by the films from a set of other situated identities.        However, the gospel truth remains that the society is misplacing its values cultural heritage and at the centre of all, our youths who are undoubtedly leaders of tomorrow whether they are professions of quality personality or on the contrary. The Nigeria home videos are being celebrated by these youths. Most of them had formed the undeniable habits of watching every home video released into the market hence there have been a mountain of criticisms being leveled on these home videos for their failure to promote morality in the lives of the youths in Nigeria.        What is being showcased and obtained in home videos in a nutshell, are cases of violence, prostitution, money laundering, armed robbery and photography as could be extracted from this film “THE SENATOR”, the film propagate double standard, lack of honesty, cultism, wrong societal value, blackmail, success through dubious means, lack of respect for parents. As a mirror to the society, the film has been labeled to send a wrong massage to the minds of students of higher institution. It misplace the universal standard of how an average student ought to go about in his/her sojourn in tertiary institution, making thieves armed robbers, cultist from our generation of students. Home video in Nigeria instead of bringing messages story lines that could promote our cultural heritage and good values have added more problems instead to trying to solve them. Some films introduces prostitution as the only way out for female student whose infirmity could not pay her school fees, as if prostitution is the answer to poverty. They failed to show some students that are in such situation that the normal thing to do may be through jobs and other sources.        The video “The senator” brings out social relies and deviate behavior. The truth of the matter remains that the impacts such films are having on youths of tertiary institution is of negative effect. Now, some believe that blackmailers. Such videos create conflict of reasoning and most times, changes ideas and orientation, thereby causing violence in air higher institution.        Today, most youths are turning into prostitutes, armed robbers, homosexuals, lesbians, cultists. Worse still is that have video promotes the ills. After checking every home videos, one can hardly find one that promotes hard work, intelligence, respect, peace, meekness, development events, education or promotes moral education, that is to say the home videos producers/makers gives our youths foreign disguise through our actors and actresses.        Our nervousness now is that the continual extent had adverse social and moral decadence in our campuses, which we cannot risk and afford if our future should be guaranteed.        Therefore, the essence of this study is very important because. Whether it should be given a thought or not. It is believed that our youths, most especially students in tertiary institution are being impacted to home video with unacceptable ways of life obviously opposed by cultural heritage and societal norms and values. Hence, what touches a finger must spread to the hand. This means that ugly behaviour being exhibited by our youths in higher institution as a result of watching home videos will certainly affect Nigeria if not today, surely we cannot escape it tomorrow.            1.2     PROBLEM STATEMENT The problem of this research is to find out the audience perspective of images of youths presented in Nigerian home movies.        Listed below are some problems encountered by the researcher -     Most Nigerian youths show little or no interest in viewing the home movies, rather they concentrate on watching foreign movies, making it a difficult task to understand their reactions towards home movies. -     The organization governing the Nigerian moving industry is corrupt. Therefore most films that contain high rate of crime and prostitution are published freely to the public, thereby making most youths to think that indulging in crime is the only way to make money easy and fast. -     Most of the youths that I approached for questions and interview were either unwilling to respond. Rather, they demanded for money to give answers. This is what most of them see in most Nigerian home movies. -     In Nigerian movies, most youths, especially women, are being harassed sexually. For actress to succeed, she would have to sleep with the producers, directors, so as to exhibit in a role. This is a drastic problem in film industries today. -     The directors and producers in Nigeria imitate the white people, thereby exhibiting things that are not meant to be watched by youths, like sexual activities, romance, kisses and all sort of misdemeanor. Today, youths in Nigeria, finds pleasure in watching corrupt films than the good ones. 1.3     OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY The fundamental objectives of this study are clarified as follows; -     To investigate how the Nigerian audiences receive and interpret the images of youths in Nigerian films. -     To investigate whether or not there is any difference in the ways different individual audience interpret the representations of youths in Nigerian film. -     To determine factors that influence how the audience interpret the meanings in the representation of youths in Nigerian films. 1.4     RESEARCH QUESTIONS. Based on the aforementioned objectives, the study endeavours to answer the following key questions. -     How does the Nigerian audience, particularly the youths interpret the portrayals of youths? -     Is there any marked differences in the way individuals or group of audience interpret the representations of youths in Nigerian films? -     Are the audience’s interpret pattern influenced by their age, sex, religion, ethnicity or educational background? 1.5     HYPOTHESIS The hypothesis to be tested in this study includes: H1: Home movies affects the youths to the extent that mould their way of life Ho: A home movie does not affect the youth to the extent that mould their way of life. H2: Home movies is a reflection of our society Ho: Home movies is not a reflection of our society H3: Home movies by every means promotes end aggrauates violence Ho: On the contrary it promotes co-existence H4: Home movie has little impact on youths, whether positive or negative. Ho: It has significant impact on youths. 1.6     SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY. The impact of the home video on the Nigerian youths is very important to the society now that most youths in their leisure time enjoy watching home movies.        The researchers are convinced that there are immeasurable significance of home movies on the youths. Everyday, lives are lost due to violence in our society. These youths exhibits what they see on local and foreign films. As each day passes, negative information continues to influence the way of life of the youths.        This study will thoroughly examine and analyze critically the introduction of home movies in Nigeria, its goals, aspiration, movies, purpose and achievement so far. Not only that, it will also look at the impact of this films on it’s viewers most especially youths and to what length has it contributed to the social ill in our society.        With the enormous adverse effects of present home movies, the output of this research work is expected to be of immense benefits to the society in general. This work will succinctly expose the inherent dangers of exposing our future leaders to all sorts of home movies.        Mandatory measures would hence be taken and organization whose responsibilities include censorship would generate information that will make them come alive to their responsibilities.        Summarily, not only youths that will gain, but also government, organization, individuals, private sectors etc. we hope that this work findings, suggestions and recommendation will change our society for the better.  1.7     SCOPE OF THE STUDY Scope of this study covers most cinemas in Enugu metropolis and also some video houses. This is to check on the type of films that mostly interests the youths. And also, to know the type of films that most youths rent from the film renting shops.        Also practical and class assignment have not afforded the researchers enough time to carry out extensive research on the theme, there is also not enough materials to carry out this research extensively all over Nigeria.        Most of the youths that I approached for questions and interview were either unwilling to respond. Rather, they demanded for money give answers. This is what most of them see in most Nigerian home movies. Perception Get the Complete Project Material Now!!!