Nollywood actress Sharon Francis has sparked fresh debate on the direction of Nigerian movies, urging filmmakers to reduce excessive sexual content and focus on delivering stronger, more meaningful messages to audiences.
The Anambra State-born actress, who has been acting since childhood, made her views known during a recent interview. She acknowledged the commercial power of sex but insisted it should not dominate storytelling.
“Sex sells in every career in the world. But from my perspective, it is better to keep sexual actions on a low mode in movies because there are so many important messages to send to the world besides sex.”
She further warned against overusing explicit scenes, saying it eventually weakens their impact.
“Soft porn in a movie is needed, but injecting it limitlessly makes it lose its meaning and vibe to the audience.”
Francis, who began acting informally at age six by practising in front of a mirror, got her major breakthrough on September 4, 2011, when she landed a role in the movie Shattered Mirror alongside stars Majid Michel and Nkem Owoh.
“After so many auditions, I was pronounced perfect for a role in the movie Shattered Mirror. I will never forget that date.”
Her comments come at a time when Nollywood films are increasingly incorporating more sensual and bold scenes to attract viewers and compete in the streaming era. While some argue that such content makes movies more realistic, Francis believes balance is crucial so that deeper themes and societal messages are not overshadowed.