CULTURALANACHRONISM IN COSTUMING NIGERIAN EPIC SCREEN DRAMA: JAMES OMOKWE'S RIONA IN DISCOURSE

Abstract

Costuming as an integral aspect of filmmaking plays a pivotal role in interpreting the culture of any society that the film projects. This study, evaluates the costuming pattern of the Nigerian epic screen drama, with a critical analysis of the screen drama as a contemporary cinematic narrative tool. The study adopts the cultural identity theory by Myron Lustig as theoretical framework. The theory posits that the identity of an individual or a group of people is determined by membership of a cultural group who are known for certain clothing elements, historical materials, motifs and themes. The study adopts the qualitative research method, using descriptive and content analyses as instruments to collate data. The study notes that costume is an important aspect of film that tells a story and reveals the status of each character; costumes as used in the Riona project. Also the study highlights the beauty of Itsekiri culture, reflecting the past and contemporary realities of the Itsekiri people as portrayed in the television drama. However costumiers of Riona fail to interpret certain aspects of historical anachronism embedded in Itsekiri's culture thus exposing lack of in-depth research into the history of the people and their clothings. The study therefore, concludes that there is cultural misrepresentation in Riona. Thus the study recommends appropriate and consistent use of costumes in film production as a way of achieving quality epic movies. Also in-depth research is needed by filmmakers to elicit appropriate meanings and showcase Nigerian culture to the world which should go beyond profiteering. Furthermore, costume designers and filmmakers should always collaborate on promoting indigenous culture at the levels of research, content creation and choice of costumes for characters in their works.