Kathryn Fasegha is a writer, actress, movie producer and director. In this interview with Yetunde Oladeinde, she talks about her inspiration, memorable moments, turning point in her career, as well as her recent movie titled 2 Weeks in Lagos which featured recently at the Cannes Film Festival in France.
WHO or what inspired you to go into film making/production?
I studied theatre arts and majored in media arts, so I was always interested in film and television as storytelling platforms. However, it was during my NYSC year when I was posted to work with Mrs. Deborah Ogazuma at NTA Kaduna that I came to believe that I could one day make films. As one of the pioneer women to make films for television in those days, Mrs. Ogazuma was a big inspiration for me and one of the reasons I do what I do today.
What was the experience like at the beginning?
It was tough and lonely most of the time. There were not always a lot of women that look like me that I knew of, making films at that point. It was unlike what you see around today, when we have more black women achieving success in the industry at high levels.
Tell us some of the memorable moments in your career
I would say that working with some of the greats in the industry in Nigeria are memories I will forever hold dear. I have been privileged to work with industry giants of the 80s and 90s like James Iroha (Giringory of Masquerade fame) Deborah Ogazuma (Magana Jari Ce), Joe Ajiboye (Samanja), Adiela Onyedibia (Things Fall Apart), Buchi Emecheta (Double Yoke), among others. Their professionalism, love for their craft and mentorship rank very high for me in terms of memorable moments.
Any challenge?
To be taken seriously, I have had to work twice as hard as any man I know. We work in an industry that still struggles to see a woman first as an incredibly talented storyteller. Women are still judged by a different set of criteria than men, even when you have achieved more than a man. In Nigeria, infrastructure and logistics remain a major challenge; access to adequate financing is an issue for the average filmmaker.
Did you have an alternative career and what were you doing before going into the sector?
I have always been a story teller in one form or the other; from journalism, stage production, television and now films. So, I have always been in this sector even though at different times. Interestingly, I have had to take other jobs but I always found my way back to stage or films.
Who or what do you consider as the greatest influence in your career?
My faith as a born again Christian has always been the greatest influence in my life and career. My grandmother taught me strength and inspired me to dream big; her influence is visible in my career because she taught me never to give up when it became tough but to press through if I truly believed in my work and abilities
What was the experience at the recent movie, 2 Weeks in Lagos? What is the message in it?
A movie shoot is always a hectic experience and 2 Weeks in Lagos shoot was not different; it was fast paced and intense. We had a lot to accomplish in a very short period. The simple message of 2 Weeks in Lagos is that with God, anything is possible. However, there are lots of messages to glean from the film and I believe it will speak different things to different folks.
Which was your most hectic movie shoot?
Treacherous Heart; it was my first feature film and I was like everything in it – producer, writer, director, production manager etc. I worked round the clock on that shoot and literally broke down from exhaustion after the shoot.
Let’s talk about your role models or mentors. What do you admire about them?
I will talk about my female role models and mentors, because they are the ones that had the greatest influence on not just my career but my life as a whole; they are the ones I looked up to and tried to live up to everyday.
The first is Deborah Ogazuma. She had one of the most successful family dramas on network TV and she did it with grace and poise and she was just as successful as any of the male producers of the time. I so badly wanted to be like her. The second is my grandma. She was uneducated but was determined that her daughter (my mother) would go to school at a time when it was not considered profitable to send girls to school and she did whatever it took to keep her in school. She taught herself to read the bible in her native language and she read that bible with me every day I spent with her. My grandma taught me that I can do whatever I set my heart to do. I never give up, no matter the setbacks I suffer, because my grandma taught me that failure was just a springboard to success. I miss her everyday and work to make her proud every day. Next is my mother. She is the epitome of a can-do mindset. She set up and ran three successful businesses before retiring. She started her first business with a 100 naira loan and grew it into a big success in less than three years. She never studied business or accounting but has been one of the more successful businesswomen I know. She ran a successful transportation business when the sector was dominated by men and did it with grace and dignity. I admire her a great deal and what she accomplished with nothing is nothing short of amazing and I strive daily to be like her.
These are the women that I have looked up to and admired; the women who made me believe I could achieve at the highest level as a woman. Without realising it, they taught me by their achievements that the only person that can stop me is me and nobody else.
What do you consider as the turning point in your career?
For me, the turning point in my career would be the recognition from the Calgary media and from the government of Alberta in the form of a grant to tour Canada and screen my film Treacherous Heart. We were suddenly on every media platform and the grant helped to reach a whole new market that I would otherwise not have had access to.
Have you progressed in your career as you have expected?
I never embark on anything if I do not expect to be successful in it. From the beginning, I always expected to be successful, because that is what I was working so hard towards. So, yes, my career has progressed as I expected. Of all the movies you have worked on in the past, which is your favourite?
My hands down favourite is Double Yoke, with Buchi Emecheta. It was my first film and I was still in the university when I was cast to play the lead female in it and it gave me the courage that I was on the right track. It was also a great experience working with a crew from Germany and Ms Emecheta herself on it. I was cast alongside two of my professors as my mother and love interest respectively and for a very young actor with no professional credits, it was surreal.
Who is your favourite actor, and why?
Denzel Washington is my favourite actor by far. He makes you believe in every character he p plays; which is incredible for an actor that has played hundreds of roles. You never watch him in a film and think that’s Denzel up there; he always embodies the characters that he plays.
What are the principles you hold onto?
I am very protective of my integrity and will always do everything possible to keep my word. I strive daily to live by the principles of Jesus Christ. I will never compromise my faith, cheat others or lie to get my way or get ahead. No film success is worth that.
What are the other things that you are working on at the moment?
I am in pre-production for the sequel to Treacherous Heart, titled A Cord of 3 Strands. We plan to shoot this coming winter in Calgary. I am also working on the follow up to 2 Weeks in Lagos and a slate of other projects.
What is your profession’s greatest challenge today?
I think the greatest challenge we face in the industry today is telling your story in an authentic manner. We strive to be everything for everyone and in so doing lose ourselves within our own stories. We all have our different truths and you can only tell your truth with your most authentic voice.
If you could change just one thing about the industry with a magic wand, what would it be?
Giving a platform to all voices. Our stories come in different shapes, colours and voices and all need to be heard and taken seriously. It would also make it easy for up and coming filmmakers to access funds without worrying about exorbitant interest rates on loans.
What advice would you give to someone aspiring to become an actor?
First, you need to identify why you want to be an actor, work hard to achieve it and do not expect to be given success. There is no substitute for hard work; it will always lead to success. Always remember, you just don’t deserve success, you earn it. Always look for ways to improve your craft and always work with the director to understand your character.
What is your definition of style?
Modest elegance that gives nothing away, but intriguing enough to keep them wanting to peel the wrapper away to discover what is inside. There is no intrigue when it is all hanging out in plain view for every Dick, Tom and Harry to feast on and certainly not stylish.
What are the things that you treasure most in life?
Faith, love, family and friends.
Leave a Reply