Film

A film, also called a movie, motion picture or photoplay, is a series of still images which, when shown on a screen, creates the illusion of moving images due to the phi phenomenon. This optical illusion causes the audience to perceive continuous motion between separate objects viewed rapidly in succession. A film is created by photographing actual scenes with a motion picture camera; by photographing drawings or miniature models using traditional animation techniques; by means of CGI and computer animation; or by a combination of some or all of these techniques and other visual effects. The word "cinema", short for cinematography, is often used to refer to the industry of films and filmmaking or to the art of filmmaking itself. The contemporary definition of cinema is the art of simulating experiences to communicate ideas, stories, perceptions, feelings, beauty or atmosphere by the means of recorded or programmed moving images along with other sensory stimulations.

The process of filmmaking is both an art and an industry.

Nigerians

Nigerians or Nigerian people are citizens and/or people with ancestry from Nigeria. Nigeria is composed of multiple ethnic groups and cultures and the term Nigerian refers to a citizenship-based civic nationality. Nigerians derive from over 250 ethnic groups and languages. Though there are multiple ethnic groups in Nigeria, economic factors result in significant mobility of Nigerians of multiple ethnic and religious backgrounds to reside in territories in Nigeria that are outside their ethnic or religious background, resulting in the intermixing of the various ethnic and religious groups, especially in Nigeria's cities. The English language is the lingua franca of Nigerians. About 50 percent of Nigerians are Muslims and the other 50 percent are Christians.

Nigerians come from multiple ethnic and religious backgrounds as the creation of Nigeria was the result of a colonial creation by the British Empire that did not correlate with ethnic and religious boundaries.

There have been several major historical states in Nigeria that have influenced Nigerian society via their strong kings and their advanced legal and taxation systems, and the use of religion to legitimize the power of the king and to unite the people. Northern Nigeria has been culturally influenced by Islamic influence including several major historic Islamic states in the region. The Kanem-Bornu Empire and the Sokoto Caliphate were major historical Islamic states in northern Nigeria. Southern Nigeria historically held several powerful states, including the Benin Empire and Oyo Empire, Ife Empire and several other Yoruba states.

Cinema of Nigeria

The cinema of Nigeria, often referred to as Nollywood, consists of films produced in Nigeria; its history dates back to as early as the late 19th century and into the colonial era in early 1900s. The history and development of the Nigerian motion picture industry is sometimes generally classified in four main eras: the Colonial era, Golden Age, Video film era and the emerging New Nigerian cinema.

Film as a medium first arrived Nigeria in the late 19th century, in the form of peephole viewing of motion picture devices. These were soon replaced in early 20th century with improved motion picture exhibition devices, with the first set of films screened at the Glover Memorial Hall in Lagos from 12 to 22 August 1903. The earliest feature film made in Nigeria is the 1926's Palaver produced by Geoffrey Barkas; the film was also the first film ever to feature Nigerian actors in a speaking role As at 1954, mobile cinema vans played to atleast 3.5 million people in Nigeria, and films being produced by the Nigerian Film Unit were screened for free at the 44 available cinemas. The first film entirely copyrighted to the Nigerian Film unit is Fincho (1957) by Sam Zebba; which is also the first Nigerian film to be shot in colour.

Mercy Johnson

Mercy Johnson Okojie, popularly known as Mercy Johnson, was born in Lagos on 28 August 1984, is a Nigerian actress who made her acting debut in the movie, "The Maid" in which she played the role of a possessed house help. Her performance in the movie shot her into the limelight and she has acted in other movies ever since. Mercy is a native of Okene in Kogi state, and comes from a family of seven children. Mercy reveals she got into the Nigerian movie industry (Nollywood) because she failed her University entrance examinations. Johnson has appeared in over 60 movies. Mercy has revealed that growing up was tough and had difficulties paying her school fees most times. She also reveals that she worked as a housemaid to survive. She was one of the inaugural winners at the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards 2013 for her role in the comedy film "Dumebi the Dirty Girl".

Johnson won the 2009 African Film Award for best supporting actress.

Personal life

The Nollywood Actress, Mercy Johnson got married to Prince Odianosen Okojie at Christ Embassy Church, Oregun, Ikeja Lagos on Saturday, August 27, 2011. On August 29, 2012, Mercy Johnson's spokesman officially disclosed to the media about her pregnancy. It was an exciting moment for her fans as there have been several rumors and speculations surrounding her pregnancy. On December 30, 2012, Mercy Johnson delivered a baby girl called Purity in the United States of America. Mercy Johnson shared photos of her baby with her fans as she departed to Nigeria Baby Purity Ozioma Okojie’s thanksgiving ceremony was held in the first week of March 2013. She gave birth to a boy on October 15, 2014.She gave birth to their third child, a daughter on 11 December, 2015 in United States of America.