Cult Film in Nigeria: An Assessment of the Silent Trend

Abstract

Cult film has evolved from its tradition of breaking cultural taboos and creating controversy to the subtle art of film appreciation facilitated by devoted and loyal fans. This study assesses the definitions and approaches to viewing cult film particularly the phenomenological approach. The assessment is based on how certain elements of the Western categorization of cult film by scholars can be applicable in the Nigerian context. The study argues that some Nigerian films have indeed achieved the status of cult film. The study is a desk research, carried out using three online databases: Academic Search Complete, EBSCO host and Science Direct. A noteworthy finding is that many Nigerian films often attain cult status. The study concludes that cult film should no longer be viewed through the lens of traditional definitions and structuring elements but instead, they should be considered as creations in the hands of the audience who have the authority to decide whether or not a film is worthy of cult status. It recommends that researchers and filmmakers need to define the elements of cult film in the Nigerian context to make film classification easier.