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Tag: Amaka Igwe

  • TEARS, AS DOCUMENTARY ON AMAKA IGWE SCREENS AT AFRIFF

    TEARS, AS DOCUMENTARY ON AMAKA IGWE SCREENS AT AFRIFF

    IN a profession dominated by men, it is not uncommon to find women who are strutting their stuff. But despite the desire to raise their head above the water, there are challenges they have to deal with.

    So when the late Amaka Igwe went into film production in the 80s, little did she know how much inspiration she will bring to a generation of female filmmakers.

    It was in her memory, and to honour other females in the film industry that filmmaker Tope Oshin put together a documentary, Amaka’s Kin: The Women of Nollywood.

    Screened to movie enthusiasts at this year’s Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) on Wednesday, the documentary takes it viewers into the minds of female movie directors and the challenges they have had to live with.

    A sombre ambience that drew nostalgia, viewers were reminded of one of Amaka Igwe’s famed mantra; “I will give to you what I have, added to what you have so that you can be more than me.”

    The documentary chronicles women directors and the peculiar challenges they have had to deal with. From difficult cameramen to unreceptive cast members, one thing they all agree on is that moviedom is a difficult turf to foray.

    However, women in the movie industry have refused to let their guard down as is evident in such film festivals as AFRIFF, Light’s Camera Action, and the Africa Movie Academy Awards, all floated by women.

    As the documentary puts it, “Amaka Igwe stood as a lone but very strong voice in the Nigerian movie industry.” Her film credit tells it all; from Checkmate, Fuji House of Commotion to Rattlesnake, Igwe charted a course that is hard to follow.

    As Omoni Oboli puts it, she’s been a force to reckon with. Even in death, she’s still there.”

    Mildred Okwoh, on the other hand, opines that “it is because of the sacrifices that people like Amaka Igwe made that I can stand here today.”

    Among other film directors who were interviewed in the documentary are Belinda Yanga-Agehda, Adeola Osunjoko, Patience Ochre Imhobio, Blessing Effiong-Egbe, and Stephanie Linus.

    In one of her many speeches which formed part of the documentary, the late filmmaker aptly captures the true state of the Nigerian movie industry. “We started making films, coping with no NEPA. So even if we don’t know how to use editing suites, we’ve been able to make fire come out of the mouth of people like Patrick Doyle. And we have put some people inside bottle, like RMD. So we’ve tried. Nollywood seeks to entertain a mass audience in search of more socio-culturally relevant stories. That’s what we do. We are not telling stories about explosions on bridges, or the destruction of the white house. Try and shoot that you destroyed Aso Rock and see where you’ll land. That’s who we are. Even when a woman died at 88, somebody said the enemies have done their worst… those are the things that bother Nigerians and that’s what we are telling.”

  • One year on, Amaka Igwe is remembered

    One year on, Amaka Igwe is remembered

    Prolific Nigerian filmmaker passed away on the 28th of April 2014 at age 51 and in remembrance of her sad passing, her daughter Ruby Igwe and Nollywood actress, Funlola Aofiyebi-Raimi paid her tributes which they published on social media networks Instagram and Facebook.

    Funlola remembers her for kick starting her acting career and believing in her.

    Wow! It’s been a year already? Time waits for no one… It’s also been 19 years since you kick started my professional acting career with the movie – Violated. It was not a major role but it was a special role that set the pace for everything else that has come my way by way of work since then (1996).Thank you for believing in me and my talent. Thanks for the mentorship, words of encouragement and scolding as at when required. You were a Director and Producer to me before becoming a Friend and a Mother. Even when we didn’t see, we exchanged messages via sms and social media. I will forever hold on to your advice as well as cherish the memories of our interaction over the years. Thank you for EVERYTHING, especially for being YOU!! We love you Amaka Igwe but GOD loves you more. Continue to RIP as the Lord continues to protect your family.  #RIP #PeaceAndLove #Thankful#Violated #FilmMaker #Legend #Love #Friendship#God.

    Ruby, on the other hand leaves a touching tribute a tinge of humour

    Dear Mummy,

    RE: One Year On.

    It’s been one year today since you moved house, moved home, exchanged Earth for eternity. No forwarding address that I can visit and come back from. No quit notice. No forewarning. No explanation. You vanished.

    I first thought that like in Scandal, or Hawaii Five-O, you weren’t really gone. I dreamt about your comeback, I borrowed all the scenarios from every action movie. It was going to be epic!

    I imagined the explanations, the super-secrecy types, the massive conspiracy that you had to thwart, how sorry-not-sorry you would be because you had to do what you had to do. I prepped how long I would be angry for. (Five minTribute

    But you didn’t show up. So far, no comeback.

    So. I wonder how you and Mrs. Onwe and Uncle Efere and Buge Rewane and Uncle ‘Tapuluto Otulopo’ Oforbuike and Grandpa and everyone in heaven are gisting by now, if it is still as heavy as your first day.

    Tell me Mummy, have you seen Adam and Eve? Or is there, like, a wait list? Please don’t tell Eve I said I would punch her once I get there because she caused childbirth pains et al.

    Or maybe you should, so by the time I get there her beef would have diminished.

    I wonder how many A-Fests you’ve held, and whether your film villages are threatening God’s cattle on a thousand hills. Have you screened the movie Aunty Ireti was talking about yet? Do you have a million series being produced at once?

    Are there football leagues? Like, a Heaven Premiership? Is Jesus always Man of the Match? I wonder if you’ve played so much football like the good old days that you dribble with your legs in your sleep. I wonder if you sleep.

    Does Angel Michael now wear Ankara? I wonder if the angels have now started speaking Wawa, and if the smell of the ogiri you and Mrs. Onwe must be putting in soups has chased the people who own mansions next to you.

    Are you going to have an anniversary party? One year in heaven? Or if a thousand years are like a day, have you spent… forget it. The math is beyond me. Are you going to have a party though? Since heaven is a permanent turn up?

    You know, Mummy, if not for God your death would have taken me with it. If not for God I would foolishly think to follow you. I know that you ran your race and you’re through. And I am forever proud.

    After my denial, my kwata was that you left me here. You, my bestie, my bosom buddy. You left and left me reeling. I could not understand why. At first I thought you didn’t know. You couldn’t have known. Abi? Who knows these things?

    But what was the context of the conversation we had the night before that night that lasted nearly two hours? Why did you stress more than usual how much you loved me and were proud of me?

    Why did you sound like you were saying goodbye? How can I rationalize that you didn’t know? So, then I figured you knew. Maybe God whispered it to you and told you not to tell anyone.

    But if you knew, what was the point of all our plans? All our tactile, possible plans? For you to do the law degree that eluded you back in your day, so we would graduate at the same time next year?

    To practice law for half of the year in our ‘law shop’ and make movies and content all around the world for the other half? Plans for all the business ideas we’d think up and write down for later, with very little effort?

    Plans for my wedding, and all the visions and thoughts you had, with the fresh flowers and the non-fussy dress and the non-generic vows? Plans to one day kidnap all your grandchildren over Christmas and vanish to Turkey?

    For you to die at 85, nko? What happened to that plan? What happened to three score and ten, at least? What’s this, reverse African time? If you knew, why did we even make any plans?

    If you knew, why was the very last thing you said to me ‘I’ll call you back?’ Or is there network in heaven? I didn’t get the memo. Are you that private number that I never manage to pick up in time? Ah no, I couldn’t think that you knew either.

    You see, I’ve cycled through enough stages of grief to win the Tour de France.

    Yet. Yet. Yet.

    God is. And that is enough for me, enough to settle all of these questions in my head. He is faithful. He is present. He is sure. It is still well. These plans now foregone will find their way into the context of my life one way or another.

    Either in a book or a series or a play or a movie or in my future reality. Or maybe just as memories, documented here and now. I trust Him; and I miss you. Words can’t even truly encapsulate the depth.

    It’s been one year and I miss you as hard as if it was last night. I don’t think I will ever stop. But that’s fine. I don’t want to ever stop missing you. To stop would be to negate all those incredible memories we’ve got together.

    Memories plentiful, strong and vivid enough to make me laugh for hours on end. Memories to inspire me, and move me. I remain so proud of you and astounded by you. I look at how much of a legacy you have left behind.

    A legacy of talent, a legacy of dedication, discipline, self-determination, integrity, strength, loyalty and humility. And a legacy of people. Thank you. I celebrate you. I’m so glad I had you as my mother, and as my friend, my very best friend.

    You showed me practically, love with great intensity, and day on day I learn about God’s even more infinitely intense love for me. The love I have to give becomes ever more refined as a result.

    How am I? Awesome. Busy, very busy. Living, learning, and growing. There is a lot to do. I don’t have a blueprint of how my life is going to go. I thought I did. I just have the assurance that it’s going to be the definition of epic.

    It is hard to not have you here to see me see this, and experience that. But I cannot be crippled by my grief, or consumed by it. My race still requires me to run. I need to finish strong. I definitely will not grieve like someone who has no hope.

    We grieve with hope.

    At your tribute on the 9th of June last year I said ‘know that I am coming’. Coming to God, more and more on earth and in full in heaven, coming to you, when I get there, and coming to the world.

    That is still true. It is still well. And I am still coming.

    You keep doing you in heaven. I’ll see you when I see you.

    I love you. I love you. I love you.

    Until forever.

    – Ruby Igwe. The six-term lawyer & Barrister-to-be. Etc

     

    A remembrance service will be held in honour of the late Director Sunday, 3rd May, 2015 at The Livingstone Church, Hotel Ibis Royale, International Airport Road, Ajao Estate, Lagos, by 4pm

    Holy Trinity Church Obinagu, Udi, Enugu State by 9am, and unveiling of memorial plaque at her father’s home

    Christ Central Church, John Pounds Centre, 23 Queen Street, Portsmouth, P01 3HN United Kingdom by 10:30am

    Power House International Ministries, Str. Corinaldese 104, Senigallia, 10019(AN) Italy by 10am

     

  • RMD remembers Amaka Igwe

    RMD remembers Amaka Igwe

    The Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Award (AMVCA) has come and gone but, snippets of the glamorous event will occupy social discourse for a while. JOE AGBRO JR. captured some of the remarkable moments.

    Behind soft music, names of late African professionals in the film industry reeled out, ending with her name, after which a clap erupted from the audience even though it was a sombre moment. Immediately after that, Richard Mofe Damijo walked to the stage solemly and began his reflection of the late Amaka Igwe, whom the AMVCA bestowed a post-humous Industry Merit Award.

    Here’s what RMD said about Igwe:

    “A poet once said, to live in the heart of those you love is not to die. She was a renowned filmmaker, she came, she saw, and she conquered. Though, she left us rather early, she blazed a trail that many of us still take today and many would still follow for years to come. Today, as we celebrate the incredible talents that abound in the African film and television industry, we also celebrate her pioneering contribution to the industry and her relentless pursuit of perfection in filmmaking. From all of us who benefitted directly from her tutelage, influence and direction, we remain thankful for the invaluable memories and experiences that have been gifted us…  Amaka Igwe lives on.”

    As RMD announced the award and invited Amaka’s husband, Charles Igwe, to come and collect the award, his quavering voice gave away his emotions of missing someone important.

  • Tributes pour in for Amaka Igwe

    Tributes pour in for Amaka Igwe

    It was a gathering of the business and entertainment personalities on Monday, June 9 at the Archbishop Vining Cathedral, where a Service of Songs was held in honour of late movie maker, Amaka Igwe.

    The ceremony which kicked off at about 6pm with a rendition of the hymn, All Hail the Power of Jesus Name, featured exhortations, worship songs and tributes from fasn and associates of the deceased.

    Compeered by the duo of Richard Mofe-Damijo and Ireti Doyle, tributes were given by Ego Boyo, Kunle Bamtefa, Gabriel Okoye and Mrs. Wangi Mba-Uzoukwu, all of the movie industry, while Mr. Dewunmi Ogunsanya, Mrs. Bernard-Oti and Mrs. Thelma Utigwe-Oti paid tributes on behalf of the business sector.

    It was a particularly emotional moment for all present, as the first child of the filmmaker, Ruby Igwe, delivered a touching tribute to her mother. “We are all here this evening grieving Amaka Igwe who we love and we are inspired, influenced or maybe intimidated by. I also know that there are many here who she, by God’s grace, mothered, trained and raised. I am sure you would agree that our mother had a unique spirit. Her priorities make her seem infuriatingly odd because they were so good. However, she left this earth as one of the most successful people I have ever known,” Ruby stated.

    Describing her mother as a professional who touched several lives, Ruby noted that the late deceased never considered herself to be a know-it-all, even as she never sold herself short. In her words, Amaka’s contributions to the creative industry were indeed of a much bigger picture. “She received a passion and talent from God. She utilised it, became an expert and did not hesitate to share her expertise. How she spread her wealth of knowledge is baffling.

    “I don’t know the specifics really, but I do know that in this life, we would be fine. It is still well. Even in this loss, this great, great loss, we will all be phoenixes in that in this death, in this separation from Amaka Igwe, we would rise, we would learn, we would be inspired and influenced. The work she has done, we would do. We remember to never forget that it is possible to miss a mum while still making memories,” Ruby said in tears.

    The service which featured a musical presentation by Waje, was graced by the presence of John Ugbe, Tony Abulu, Ufuoma Ejenebor, Kate Henshaw, Teju Babyface, Tee A, Keppy Ekpenyong Bassey, Tunde Kelani, Kanayo O Kanayo and a host of others.

    The late Nollywood filmmaker will be buried on June 13, in Ndiuche Arondizuogu, Imo State. Another Service of Songs has been scheduled for June 12, at the Michael Okpara Square, Enugu.

    Igwe, 51, died on April 28 from complications resulting from asthma attack.

  • Amaka Igwe covers Nolly Silver Screen magazine

    Amaka Igwe covers Nolly Silver Screen magazine

    THE late Nollywood movie producer, scriptwriter and director, Amaka Igwe, has been ‘immortalised’ on the cover of the June edition of Nolly Silver Screen magazine.

    “Though the pain is still fresh in our hearts, we know we just had to celebrate one of Nollywood’s legends. Indeed, Amaka has made it easier for us as women to aspire to be great in the industry. I remember reading her magazine, TMC Box Office, several years ago. Little did I know that the seeds were being sown to start my own magazine. She inspired us without even knowing,” said Isabella Akinseye, Editor of Nolly Silver Screen.

    The Nolly Silver Screen team pays glowing tributes to the movie icon with a special infograph, 15 Scenes from Amaka’s Life, designed by Gbolahan Adams. In addition, the magazine’s cartoon strip, Rollicking Nollies, is dedicated to the late filmmaker.

  • Amaka Igwe to be buried June 13

    Amaka Igwe to be buried June 13

    The late Nollywood filmmaker and CEO of Top Radio, Amaka Igwe, will be buried on Friday, June 13, at Ndiuche Arondizuogu, Imo State. According to information, the funeral will begin with a tribute evening and Lagos service of songs at Haven Gardens G.R.A Ikeja on June 9.

    This will be followed by a service of songs at the Okpara Square, Enugu on June 12, before she will be finally laid to rest at Ndiuche Arondizuogu, Imo State on June 13.

    She died of complications from asthma at 51 on Monday, April 28. Amaka, had gone to Enugu for the pre-production of a new Igbo soap with her husband when the incident occurred. She, however, died while she was being rushed to hospital.

    She founded the BoB TV Expo and was the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Top Radio 90.9 FM, Amaka Igwe Studios and the newly-launched Q Entertainment Networks.

    An accomplished writer, producer, director, entrepreneur and teacher, Amaka is survived by her husband, three children and an aged mother.

  • Remembering Amaka Igwe

    Remembering Amaka Igwe

    Nollywood just lost its brain in Mrs. Amaka Igwe’s death. She was a major propellant of Nollywood’s best possibilities, the finest symbol of its daring global ambition and challenge.

    About its most informed voice; its leading bridge and most programmatic TV-filmmaker for social change. I have no doubt that her production on location of an Igbo film must have been her daring drive to return Nollywood to the mother tongue that open its floodgate to global preeminence which the English language films among the Igbo and their Niger Delta neighbours achieved for Nigeria with that stubborn name of recognition, ”Nollywood” that would not be wished away after the phenomenal success of Living in Bondage; the industry maker.

    She conquered television with repeat performances where others succeeded with one title as script writer, producer and director with no pretence to any of these well-earned titles. ”Checkmate”, ”Fuji House of Commotion” would remain long and relevant with us. ”Rattle snake”, ”Violated”, etc her video films will live after her as would her most brilliantly conceived and organised film market, BOB TV; the showpiece of all of Nollywood’s attempts at film festivals.

    Her venturing into radio ownership of TOP FM has been taking its baby steps to relevance.

    This is the woman! This is a tragedy of tragedies to the unemployments that may attend the death of this massive employer of labour with her productive mind freed from the typical Nollywood pettiness.

    I regret that I procrastinated my interview with her in my 7 years long research on Nollywood: The Genius of Our Indigenous Movies; as i did other veterans of the industry who have passed on because of constraints.

    May she rest well having the last laugh against asthma.

    Ofili, former chairman Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Lagos is researching, Nollywood: The Genius of Our Indigenous Movies

     

  • Death be not proud – A tribute to Amaka Igwe

    Death be not proud – A tribute to Amaka Igwe

    IT was John Donne, the English poet, satirist and lawyer who stared down at you and reprimanded you thus: Death be not proud, though some have called thee mighty and dreadfull, for thou art not so.

    Indeed, John Donne was right about one thing; you are not mighty otherwise you would pick an opponent very much prepared. If you had really known Amaka Igwe, known the beauty of her mind, the generosity of her heart, the strength of her convictions or the promise of tomorrow, you would have known this is a fatal error. But poor death, you have no reason to be proud, you’ve only stolen a prized possession. There is no pride in larceny.

    Though some have called thee mighty… and I’m still wondering why they do. How could anyone call you mighty, poor death? Death and might do not even belong in the same sentence. Where’s the might in sneaking up a giant from behind? Do you whisper an invitation for a duel or lash out at an opponent who has not even girded his sword? No, you cannot be called mighty by any stretch of the imagination. To call you mighty will be to do violence to the concept of might.

    I really can’t fathom why anyone will call you mighty, where’s the might in seeking to halt the pelting march of thunders by an eclipse? Does a river course up a mountain to prove the point of its necessity? How does truncating a dream become an art of great courage? Why should anyone want to deify the source of pain or write an ode to the enemy of bliss? No death, be not proud.

    When some call thee dreadfull, they are speaking the truth, for indeed thou art dreadfull. You have to be dreadful to conceive bringing an end to such gaiety, such intelligence, such grace, such talent, such passion, such a woman, such as Amaka Igwe. How can you not see that doing this, is to do harm to the thousands who drank from her well of knowledge, to the many who saw in her what they could become, to all those people who saw in her life the blueprint from which success was built.

    No death, how do you not know that by snatching this woman from God’s green earth, you were denying a man his wife, three children their mother, someone’s closest friend, someone’s sister, someone’s daughter, someone’s mentor, a people’s pride! How do you not know you leave the world poorer without Amaka in it?

    Please know, poor death, that we rage, that our blood foams in anguish because this is one pain too many. Please know that we shall not forgive this. We shall not also forget. But we will wait, wait for the morning of glory when death shall be no more: death, thou shalt die!

     

    —Isaac Anyaogu, a financial consultant, also writes screenplays for feature films.

  • Amaka Igwe is not dead, says Charles Novia

    Amaka Igwe is not dead, says Charles Novia

    TOP Nollywood filmmaker, Charles Novia, has described as ‘needless’ the tears being shed for the late filmmaker and director, Amaka Igwe, by her fans and admirers.

    In his tribute, he said Amaka Igwe did not die; rather, she just “built her loving House of Commotion in our hearts, commotion with co-relation and commotion with emotions.”

    He further said: “If there was no Checkmate, the superb soap opera that had a chart-topping five-year run on national television, there would have been no Nollywood. This is because the tested and trusted actors from Checkmate were mostly cast in the trend-setting Living in Bondage.”

    Her contributions to the creative industry, he added, cannot be quantified because she “was an advocate for professionalism”.

    “Amaka is not dead. With enduring works such as Violated (which re-defined and triggered the romantic drama genre in Nollywood), Rattlesnake, To live again, Forever and Fuji House of Commotion, how could she be dead? This lady who has been the subject of various dissertations and academic theses changed our creative landscape,” he added.

  • Amaka Igwe: Painful exit of a Nollywood heavyweight

    Amaka Igwe: Painful exit of a Nollywood heavyweight

    It was a tragedy no one ever imagined. It was also like a deadly blow below the belt. Indeed, like the Biblical saying, death stealthily came like a thief in the night and plucked life out of her. Though many are yet to come to terms with the reality of her death, the truth is, celebrated Nollywood producer and entertainment entrepreneur, Amaka Igwe, has breathed her last. The respected Nollywood icon reportedly died of asthmatic attack on Monday, April 28, thereby casting a pall of gloom on the nation’s movie industry. She was 51.

    The sad incident occurred in Enugu, where she had gone for the pre-production of a new Igbo sitcom, in company of her husband.

    According to reports, she suffered an asthmatic attack and was immediately rushed to the hospital after initial interventions had failed. She, however, passed on before getting to the hospital.

    Born Amaka Isaac-Ene, the deceased was a writer, producer, director, entrepreneur and teacher. She was the founder of BoBTV Expo, founder and CEO of Top Radio 90.9FM, Amaka Igwe Studios and the newly-launched Q Entertainment Networks.

    Amaka came into the limelight as the writer and producer of the award-winning TV soap, Checkmate and its offshoot, Fuji House of Commotion.

    She had her early education at All Saints School (now Trans Ekulu Primary School), Girls High School, Awkunanaw, Enugu and Idia College, Benin. While at Idia College, Amaka organised variety shows for her house, which attracted a fee-paying audience. She acted and directed the plays that were staged and taught the group the famous Atilogwu dance, which became the school’s official dance. She led the group to a performance at the Ogbe Stadium in Benin.

    Following her secondary education, she went ahead to study Education/Religion at the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University). She also obtained a Master’s degree from the University of Ibadan, Oyo State.

    She worked as a lecturer at the Anambra State University of Technology and was briefly in the oil and gas sector before settling for the motion picture industry.

    Two of her critically acclaimed movies that stood her out in the Nigerian movie industry include Rattle Snake and Violated. Her other movies include Royal Battle, Never Back Up, Live To Remember, Dry Season, Keep My Love, Wicked Forces, Room 027, Ladies Vampires, Society of Witches, Deadly, Will of Heaven, Covenanted Destiny, Blood Settlement, Village Wife, Screen Saver, Divert Call, Heart Of A Twin, Dirty Diamond and Render to Caesar.

    The movie producer is survived by her husband of 21 years, Charles Igwe, three children, an aged mother and siblings.