Charles Okpaleke

Charles Okpaleke, OON
Born
Charles Okpaleke

(1983-03-14) 14 March 1983 (age 41)
Imo State, Nigeria
NationalityNigerian
EducationUniversity of Nigeria
University of Birmingham
OccupationProducer
SpouseOgochukwu Okpaleke
Children3
Parents
  • Julian Okpaleke (father)
  • Florence Okpaleke (mother)

Charles Okpaleke, OON // ⓘ (born 14 March 1983) is a Nigerian film producer.[1][2] His debut film, Living In Bondage: Breaking Free[3] won seven awards at the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards 2020, including the Best Movie (West Africa) and Best Overall Movie categories.[4] He has also acquired the rights to remake Nollywood classics including Rattle Snake,[5][6] Nneka the Pretty Serpent[7] and Glamour Girls.[8]

Early life

Okpaleke was born to Julian Chukwuemeka Okpaleke,[9] an Assistant Inspector General of the Nigerian Police and Florence Ngozi Okpaleke, an attorney. Okpaleke attended Kings College Lagos[10] and the University of Nigeria[5] where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in 2005. He obtained a master's degree in Health Economics and Health Policy from the University of Birmingham in 2007.[1]

Career

In 2015, Charles Okpaleke acquired the rights to Living in Bondage from Kenneth Nnebue for a remake.[11] In 2018, it was made public that the film will be a sequel instead of a remake and titled Living in Bondage: Breaking Free. Principal photography of Living in Bondage: Breaking Free took place on location in Lagos, Owerri and Durban.[12] As the effects of corona virus pandemic bit harder in Nollywood, Charles Okpaleke introduced drive-in cinemas in Abuja and Lagos, Nigeria.[13][14][15] He did this in collaboration with Silverbird Group and Genesis Cinemas.[16][17][14] Okpaleke has also acquired the rights to remake three other Nollywood classics, Rattle Snake, Nneka the Pretty Serpent and Glamour Girls through his Play Network Africa company.

Award

President Mohammadu Buhari on May 28, 2023, approved the conferment of the 2023 special national awards on 340 Nigerians. Charles Okpaleke was honoured for his outstanding contributions to the fields of drama and music alongside David Adeleke (Davido) and Kunle Afolanya[18] among others. The trio were bestowed with the Officer of the Order of Niger (OON) award.

References

  1. ^ a b "A New Frontier for Nollywood: Remakes". OZY. Archived from the original on 17 August 2020. Retrieved 15 August 2020.
  2. ^ "Charles Okpaleke: My Privileged Background Afforded Me Opportunity to Learn Values of Charity". This Day. 4 January 2020. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
  3. ^ "How 'Living in Bondage' feem sweep AMVCA 2020". BBC News. Retrieved 15 August 2020.
  4. ^ "Africa! Here Are Your Winners at the 7th AMVCAs". Africa Magic - Africa! Here Are Your Winners at the 7th AMVCAs. Archived from the original on 8 December 2020. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
  5. ^ a b Agbo, Njideka (17 May 2020). "Charles Okpaleke: A Walk Down The Classics Lane". The Guardian. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
  6. ^ "Charles Okpaleke & Filmone sign production & distribution deal for 'Rattle Snake' remake". Pulse. 19 March 2020. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
  7. ^ "Charles Okpaleke's Play Network is remaking Nollywood Classic 'Nneka the Pretty Serpent'". The Culture Custodian. 31 January 2020. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
  8. ^ Quasim, Adedamola (28 June 2022). "Glamour Girls' producer replies critics over film". Daily Trust. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
  9. ^ "Nigeria Business Directory - Find Companies, People & Places in Nigeria". www.manpower.com.ng. Retrieved 12 June 2024.
  10. ^ "Kings College, Lagos". kingscollegelagos.sch.ng. Retrieved 12 June 2024.
  11. ^ Bada, Gbenga (4 November 2019). "Charles Okpaleke explains the idea behind 'Living in Bondage: Breaking Free'". Pulse. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
  12. ^ "Living In Bondage: Breaking Free premiere; a night of stars, studs, diamonds". Businessday NG. 15 November 2019. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
  13. ^ "Nigeria's Nollywood gets creative to cope with virus crisis". France 24. Agence France-Presse. 4 June 2020. Retrieved 15 August 2020.
  14. ^ a b "Cameras roll again in Nollywood but Nigeria's cinemas still dark". Reuters. 27 May 2020. Archived from the original on 27 May 2020. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
  15. ^ "Covid-19: Drive-in cinemas berths in Lagos, Abuja". Premium Times. Retrieved 15 August 2020.
  16. ^ "Nollywood, laboratoire d'idées malgré la crise". La Presse (in French). 4 June 2020. Retrieved 15 August 2020.
  17. ^ Nwakunor, Gregory Austin (5 July 2020). "Drive-in theatre, will it be drive-out after COVID-19 pandemic?". The Guardian. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
  18. ^ Obioha, Vanessa. "Charles of Play, Davido, Kunle Afolayan Among National Award Nominees". This Day. Archived from the original on 28 May 2023. Retrieved 29 May 2023.