Representation of Delta People in Contemporary Nollywood Comedy Movies

Although public perception of reality in society is powerfully constructed by the media through various forms of content, representation is one of such tricks used in media production to either emphasize or de-emphasize the negative and positive stereotyping of individuals and groups in society. However, it is through the said process that consumers of different forms of media content cultivate diverse perceptions of social reality. Representation of Delta People in Contemporary Nollywood Comedy Movies examines how Delta people are framed in selected Nollywood comedy movies, thus contributing to the legitimization of stereotypes from which other Nigerians cultivate perceptions about them. Findings from the analysis of the three Nollywood comedy movies: 30 Days in Atlanta, 10 Days in Sun City, and A Trip to Jamaica reveal that the mediated representation of Delta people revolves around the three dominant frames of “the invincible,” “extreme audacity,” “hilarious and likable.” These frames therefore, encourage the stereotyping of Deltans as having the “knack for being aggressive and tough,” and the “uneducated but crafty.” The various stereotypes associated with Delta people were re-emphasized using Akpos as a major character in the three movies. Visual content of mass media, as the study concludes, play an important and powerful role in conveying perceptions about different groups in society. Keywords: Delta State, Comedy movies, Media representation, Nigeria, Nollywood, Stereotypes