Richard Spiropoulos, Emmy-winning filmmaker and co-founder of Sunroof Studios, has emphasized the need for effective cultural translation in Nigerian films to reach a broader international audience.
In a recent discussion, with The Nollywood Reporter, Spiropoulos pointed out that local humor and slang often fail to resonate with global viewers due to inadequate subtitling and translation efforts.
“Those who can translate jokes from Pidgin or local dialects into humor that international audiences can appreciate will succeed,” Spiropoulos remarked. He suggested that Nollywood filmmakers should pay closer attention to how cultural elements are adapted for non-Nigerian viewers, especially as the industry seeks to expand its global presence.
Spiropoulos highlighted successful examples from industries such as South Korea, Bollywood, and Mexican cinema, which have found ways to merge local authenticity with global accessibility. He believes Nollywood can achieve similar success by adopting more refined translation techniques and focusing on universal themes without losing its cultural identity.
Sunroof Studios, known for its anthology series “The Deity in the Dark and Other Stories” on Amazon Prime Video, has taken steps to address these challenges. While discussing the studio’s strategy, Spiropoulos emphasized the importance of preserving Nigerian storytelling’s unique flavor while making it relatable to viewers worldwide.
As Nollywood continues to gain recognition on international platforms, Spiropoulos calls for a concerted effort to improve subtitling and cultural translation processes. “Nigerian films have immense potential to captivate global audiences, but it starts with making our stories accessible and relatable,” he concluded.