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Tag: Kemi Afolabi

  • WHY YORUBA MOVIES ARE BETTER THAN OTHER NIGERIAN MOVIES –NOLLYWOOD ACTRESS, KEMI AFOLABI

    WHY YORUBA MOVIES ARE BETTER THAN OTHER NIGERIAN MOVIES –NOLLYWOOD ACTRESS, KEMI AFOLABI

    For Yoruba movie actress, Kemi Afolabi, controversies are not a strange forte but handling them is what sets her apart. Presently putting things together for a groundbreaking and ambitious all-female cast movie, M’odorisa, the actress and producer says that there is an urgent need for Nigerians to embrace their culture. She speaks with OVWE MEDEME on her career, controversies, marriage and other issues

    TELL us about the project you are working on. Basically, the reason we are here is to have auditions because we are looking at about a thousand cast and this is a spectacular one because it is an all-female cast as the script requires. So today, we are trying to inspire some up and coming artistes who really have the talent and the passion for acting.

    We are trying to give them an opportunity to showcase what they have. We are trying to make an impact in the lives of people who really want to do the job but do not have the means and knowhow. This is a platform for them to come around and if they are really good and we see that they could be built up artistically, then we can help them out in their career. Another segment we will be having is the script reading. We will get the script read by some of the major casts who are known faces. We will get them to read and talk about what the movie is all about.

     How do you intend to manage a thousand cast in terms of logistics?

    I’ve actually been on this project for about two years now because we have been scouting for the best locations as the script requires. 2015 was a very busy year for me so I shuttled between trying to find my base for this job and also attend to other producer’s needs.

    So, I’ve been doing a lot of scouting. We’ve been to Osogbo. It’s a beautiful place but we were not able to get certain requirements there. We’ve been to Ibadan but we eventually got what the script required at the outskirts of Ilaro. We were able to get some certain things that we need for the job. As I speak to you, the set men are there building up castles, the palace and others. It is an African movie. It has to do with our culture.

    Who is funding it?

    My company, Kass Entertainment, in conjunction with Olasco Films, is the sponsor. Olasco films have been a good platform for showcasing our jobs in the past so we are partnering with them because they have seen that the jobs which came out from the stable of Kass Entertainment are widely accepted by our fans. That’s why we are doing this together.

     What is the movie about?

    It is a historical film that has to do with our cultural heritage. It teaches people to stay true to our culture. In recent times, we’ve seen that in Nigeria, most of our young ones do not really welcome our culture. They are not proud of our culture. We are trying to teach them that we have a beautiful culture and that they should stay true to it. We are teaching people how beautiful our culture is. M’odorisa is about a particular character in the script who became the ruler and had to live out the adage that what a man can do, a woman can do better. It’s got a lot of intrigue in it and fans out there have got a lot to learn about African history, culture and other beautiful stuff.

     Aside the underlying messages, what do you hope to achieve with the movie?

    I plan to tell people to stay true to their culture. They don’t have to look extraordinary to prove a point. Some people are even ashamed to identify with where they are from. We are trying to encourage them to stay true to themselves.

     From what you have seen so far, are you impressed with the auditions?

    It has been overwhelming because actually the audition was a later thing. It was something that was put together within weeks and the turnout was really impressive and it shows that people want to work. And so far so good, they have been doing very well.

     There has been a lot of talk about the plot of Nigerian movies being too ordinary. How do you intend to make this project different?

    We do these things and God crowns our effort. We try as much as possible because we are working with a crew that actually knows about the craft. And there’s going to be a lot of suspense. We will try our best to level up and hope that people will really like it.

     Will you be taking it to the cinemas?

    Sure, we will be going to both the local and international cinemas. We want to take it round the world.

     Who are some of the major casts in the film?

    We have the likes of Peju Ogunmola, Joke Muyiwa, Tayo Odueke, my humble self, Liz Da Silva, Bimbo Oshin and quite a number of people. We will also be dealing with up and coming actors who are being recognised coupled with all these unknown faces.

     Was it the script that influenced the cast or you just wanted to do something different?

    It was the story.

     Away from acting, there is a perceived discrimination between the Yoruba genre and mainstream Nollywood. What do you think is responsible for that?

    I don’t see any form of discrimination because I’ve been able to do my job very well in the few English sets that I’ve been to. I did my job and I got out. But what I thought was the fracas here is the fact that English is a formal language, anybody can identify with it. But Yoruba is limited because it’s for those who can speak the language. Yoruba is one of the languages we have in the country.

     Yet you stayed true to the genre. What was the catch for you?

    You cannot compare a Yoruba script with others. It is rich in culture; ‘ve been on the other side, I’ve done a couple of productions but I feel these people are not staying true to their culture. I can say that the Yoruba movies have actually prompted the English speaking industry to start doing Igbo movies. The Hausas are also following up.

    You were away from the industry for a while, how were you able to fit in?

    I thank God my maker. He’s the Alpha and Omega. He’s the one that says go and in him I owe everything to. Most importantly, if you have a passion for something, then you will enjoy doing it. It is something that will be a part of you. It wasn’t easy I must confess. When I came back, a whole lot of people who were apprentices had become stars. I had to start all over. I didn’t mind, I didn’t put up my shoulder. Even then, I believed I wasn’t there. Even now, I still believe I’m not there yet. So I joined the queue, stayed true to my profession, gave it my best. I treated every script like it was my last. So over time, scripts started coming in and here we are.

     How supportive is your husband?

    He is very supportive. He goes as far as funding some of my projects.

     Despite the controversies that surround the industry?

    It’s about knowing who your partner is. If your partner understands that controversies sometimes come with the job, he’ll understand. It’s about knowing who you are, knowing who you are married to, having your friend as a wife or a husband. He understands my job so he’s staying with me all the way.

     How do you respond to controversies?

    I ignore it most times except when it’s really necessary. This is because over time, I have come to realise that journalism these days is not what it used to be. Yes, we all love juicy stories and all that, but what happened to really finding out the facts? To me, when I hear most of those allegations, I just ignore them.

     So what really happened between you and She Baby?

    I really don’t want to talk about She Baby. When the issue happened, I actually said my own side of the story, so why do I want to go on with it? How many times do I have to keep coming back to it? I said my own side of the story and I believe and I know it is the gospel truth. Some may believe, some might not but it’s all good. But I believe with time, the truth will always come out.

    Are you in talking terms with her now?

    Why not? My job doesn’t allow me to keep malice or have fracas with anyone. We have issues, we iron it out and that’s it. We are back to work. That’s how it is.

    Are you saying the issue has been ironed out?

    To the best of my knowledge it is. She said something; I addressed it and said my side of the story, there’s nothing to add. Some people might dwell in controversies, some people enjoy the moment, and it doesn’t matter to them while some other people’s character is assassinated already so they try to see how much of others they can bring into their own sorry life. It’s all good. I’m not in for cheap publicity. I’m here for business, hard work, success and I’m here as a role model to my true fans who really believe in the brand and support me all the way. The reason I had to give my side of the story in the first place was because everyone was concerned. People even started fighting for me before I got to know what was going on because I’m too busy. Trust me, I’m on set every other day. My job has been a rollercoaster. I’ve been all over the place working.

  • KEMI AFOLABI:I’M ON TALKING TERMS WITH SHE BABY

    KEMI AFOLABI:I’M ON TALKING TERMS WITH SHE BABY

    FOR Yoruba movie actress, Kemi Afolabi, controversies are not a strange forte but handling them is what sets her apart. In a recent chat with The Nation, the actress cum filmmaker says that when she finds herself in such situations, she as much as possible, ignores it.

    However, as much as she tries to avoid them, they still pop up once every while in the course of pursuing her passion. One of such instances is the recent altercation she had with her fellow actress, Ariyo Oluwaseyi Esther, better known as She Baby. Although Afolabi says she has put the issue behind her, she also believes that in time, the truth will surface.

    “I really don’t want to talk about She Baby. When the issue happened, I actually said my own side of the story, so why do I want to go on with it? How many times do I have to keep coming back to it? I said my own side of the story and I believe and I know it is the gospel truth. Some may believe, some might not but it’s all good. But I believe with time, the truth will always come out,” she said.

    One reason she has decided to take the high road, she said, is because her job doesn’t allow her to keep malice of have fracas with anyone. However, she also claims that to the best of her knowledge, the issue has been resolved and she is now in talking terms with She Baby.

    “It’s all good. I’m not in for cheap publicity. I’m here for business, hard work, success and I’m here as a role model to my true fans who really believe in the brand and support me all the way. The reason I had to give my side of the story in the first place was because everyone was concerned. People even started fighting for me before I got to know what was going on because I’m too busy. Trust me, I’m on set every other day. My job has been a rollercoaster. I’ve been all over the place working,” she adds.

  • Kemi Afolabi auditions for all-female movie

    Kemi Afolabi auditions for all-female movie

    Delectable actress, Kemi Afolabi, last Thursday held auditioned for her groundbreaking all-female cast movie titled M’odorisa. The auditions which held at Ikeja, Lagos, according to the actress, is even more spectacular because the movie will parade a thousand cast.

    “It is an all female cast as the script demands. So we are trying to audition up and coming artistes who really have the talent and the passion. This is my own way of creating an impact on my fans’ lives, people who want to do the job but they don’t have the means. So this is a platform for them to come around if they are really good, then we can build them up artistically help them up in their career,” she said.

    After the audition, the actress revealed, there will be a script reading where the young actresses will have the opportunity to be mentored by established acts.

    “I have actually been on the project for about two years now. We have been trying to scout for the best location as the script requires. 2015 was a very busy year for me. We have had to shuttle between trying to find my base for this job M’odorisa and also attend to other producers’ needs. So I’ve been doing a lot of scouting. We have been to Oshogbo, Ibadan, and we eventually got what the script requires at the outskirt of Ilaro,” the thespian revealed.

    Produced by Afolabi’s Kaas Entertaiment in conjunction with Olasco Films, the actress  said that the aim of the movie is to teach people to stay true to their culture. In recent times in Nigeria, she said, most people have not really been welcoming towards their culture.

    “M’odorisa is about a particular character who became a ruler and, you know the adage that what a man can do, a woman can do better, she had to face a lot of challenges.

    She even surpassed her predecessors. At the end, we were able to release the audience from what they are looking forward to. There is a lot to learn about the movie about the beauty and the uniqueness of the African culture,” she further stated.

  • Why I went BALD –Kemi Afolabi

    Why I went BALD –Kemi Afolabi

    Soft spoken actress, Kemi Afolabi is a talented Nollywood actress in the Yoruba film sector. The actress, who was recently presented with an Award of Excellence by the University of Ilorin Students’ Union body, speaks to DUPE AYINLA-OLASUNKANMI on her new movie, in which she went bald, and how she balances her multiple roles as an actress, wife, and mother.

    Why go bald for a role?

    Well, it has to do with the character, the theme and the role I portrayed. The movie centers on a gifted young lady, who didn’t realize the power of her gift. Anything she said came to pass. Unfortunately, she mostly prophesied evil words. And in the movie, the havoc she wreaked on a lot of people led to communal punishment, and started by shaving off her hair.

    So you did all that for the money?

    As a professional actor, I think first about the positive message of the movie. And then the financials come afterwards. You know we have bills to pay as well. Well, I didn’t really think about that, the movie is actually mine and it is titled Ajantala. It is a cultural movie shot in Oshogbo. After that movie, I went bald again, because my hair had grown and I needed to do a photo session for the movie poster. The movie is presently at the post production level.

    Would you have accepted the role if it was someone else’s movie?

    Yes, like I earlier mentioned, I am a professional. And professionals do a thorough job. I would still have done it if it was someone else’s movie, as long as there is a positive message to pass across.

    What was it like for you grooming back the hair?

    Well, I just had another cut, because of a new script I got. It is from Adekola Odunlade, and the role I played required my being shorn. This time though, it is not about going bald. So when he told me about the character, I just said to myself, ‘I think I will like this new look`. So it wasn’t difficult.

    Going bald didn’t mean that I had to carry the look. You know there are wigs to wear. But to me, I was very bold carrying the new look. And you know our weather is usually very hot. I don’t believe I was the first though.

    Why do you protect your family?

    I guess the reason nothing has been heard is because nothing bad has happened. If you are my friend on social media, you will see pictures of my family. I am proud of them and do not hide them from the public. I have been married since 2008.

    What is the staying power for the both of you?

    I believe I am married to my friend and you know once you are married to your friend, he will go any length to make sure that things work for you. He supports me in everything I do.

    Talking about endorsements, how often do they come?

    I do a little bit of everything here and there. But people feel you haven’t really gotten an endorsement except you are with a Telecommunications company. But I am praying for the big one to come, one to reckon with.

    Some artistes recently went into politics. Did you nurse the idea too?

    People go into politics for different reasons. I am not thinking about it now, but we gave them our support because we felt they would bring our interests before the government. Maybe in the nearest future, when I feel that I have to represent my people, I might go for a position that will enable me put their matters before the right people.

    Is there an insurance policy in place for aging actors in the Yoruba sector?

    Yes, a lot of things are being put in place now for other actors. I know the present body are doing their best to ensure that those who are unable to act, in the future, will be fine. And I know I have been with some people who paid visits to actors who could no longer act, for one reason or the other, to present gifts and money. A committee is being built, one that will be in charge of that aspect of the body.

    Why does the Yoruba sector not have one body?

    I really don’t know much about that. There are different associations and you can be in as many as you want. There is freedom of association, and I belong to TAMPAD, headed by Saidi Balogun, to manage the activities of the sector, until the crisis is sorted out.

    The movie Ajantala is not out, what are you doing as a producer to protect it from being pirated?

    This is the part where talking from now to eternity will be ineffectual. I believe that the government can protect our intellectual property. I don’t know how someone can take what someone had gone through hard labour to produce, and just go somewhere to mass produce, and sell at a cheap rate, robbing them of their rights and sweat. The point being that we need the government to pass a law to discourage people from robbing others of their sweat when they think of the consequences. When our colleagues contested, we felt they would give us a voice.

    And another set of people we want to appeal to is the society. If they enjoy what we put out there for them, then they should stop buying from those who hawk the movies on the streets. What have we done as individuals to do things right? So the government should not be saddled with all the blame.

    But how do they get these movies?

    I don’t know. But when the movies are shot, it goes through some processing; the editor, the rating goes to the cinema, so you can’t really tell. We know of the marketer, where the movie gets to the market and it is mass-produced, but that is a different story.

    Do you have an NGO like some of your colleagues?

    I was running one, but because of my busy schedule, but I do not believe in noise. I do my things in my own little way, because I don’t believe I have to make it known to all. But my passion is to change the way the handicapped are treated in Nigeria. I have been abroad and they are given special care and attention. There is no company you will get to, that you won’t find one, because it is believed that they can contribute to the society. It pains me a lot when I hear comedians caricature them. I intend to have something that will make them realize they are special and should not be made to feel less.

    Being away from the home all the time, how do you strike a balance as a married woman?

    Like I said earlier, I am married to my friend and I always thank God. The little time I spend at home, I make my impact felt. And I have a loving mum and mother-in-law who fill the space whenever my husband is not around. Because they understand the kind of job I do. But when I am shooting, I don’t stay in a hotel, I go from home. And the children also understand my job, because they know mummy and daddy have to provide for them.

  • Kemi Afolabi DECRIES comics on handicaps

    Kemi Afolabi DECRIES comics on handicaps

    TALENTED Nollywood actress, Kemi Afolabi, has said that she feels pained every time she hears Nigerian comedians make jokes of handicaps.

    The actress who was recently presented with an Award of Excellence by the University of Ilorin Students’ Union body said; “My passion is to change the way the physically challenged are treated in Nigeria. I have been abroad and they are given special care and attention. There is no company you will get to, that you won’t find one, because it is believed that they can contribute to the society. It pains me a lot when I hear comedians make caricature of them. I intend to have something that will make them realise they are special and should not be made to feel less.

    “I was running an NGO before, but because of my busy schedule… but I do not believe in noise. I do my things in my own little way, because I don’t believe I have to make it known to the public what I do to help the less privileged,” she said.

    Presently done with a new movie titled Ajantala, she also spoke on piracy which she believes cannot be eradicated, except government comes to the aid of filmmakers with a law.

    “The government can protect our intellectual property. I don’t know how someone feels when they take someone’s sweat, produce it en-masse and sell it at cheap rate, robbing us of our rights. We need the government to pass a law to discourage these people from robbing others of their sweat when they think of the consequences. And another set of people we want to appeal to is the society. If they enjoy what we put out there for them, then they should stop buying from those who hawk the movies on the streets,” she further stated.

  • Sometimes you need to show some flesh—Nollywood actress Kemi Afolabi

    Sometimes you need to show some flesh—Nollywood actress Kemi Afolabi

    Actress and movie producer, Kemi Afolabi, left the shores of Nigeria four years ago to get married. Now back in the country, the mother of one who has been seen in different movie locations, says she is fully geared up for the industry.
    In this interview with DUPE  AYINLA-OLASUKANMI, the  graduate of Law from University of Lagos speaks on sundry issues

    DO you have a personal project you are working on at the moment?

    No, I don’t have a personal project at hand but I hope to shoot an epic movie before the end of the year. Meanwhile, I have a new movie which will hit the market soon. We just finished the postproduction. It has been work all through, apart from the fact that I have to work for other people.

    So far, you have continued to remain relevant. What would you say is your selling point?

    Well, I didn’t know I have been relevant. I give God the glory. Whatever you know how to do best, you should just put more strength and be more focus. You should be able to do more that is expected of you. When I get a script, I always want to see what I can do to improve on that script given to me, I mean my own addition towards getting a good result rather than, just what the producer wants. Basically, it is God and my own uniqueness, knowing what I want for myself.

    Have you been in a situation where you had to change the entire script of a producer?

    No, I don’t have to change the script. But I can always add my own knowledge. We both might be thinking of the same thing but one idea might just be better. If I get a script and I see that I can make it better I just give the producer my opinion. But if the producer insists that is the way he wants it and I see that it is not going to add any value to the viewers, I can just drop such script. I stand as a role model and if I cannot add any value to people’s lives, then there is no point acting in the first place.

    Have you ever had to accept a script just for the money?

    (Laughs) I don’t think so. Money is always secondary. My primary objective is always adding value and impact to my environment. You cannot just act just for the sake of being an actress. For me, the answer is no. I don’t know about others. Yes, money pays the bills and I don’t have any other thing I am doing. But still it is not all about the money. There are some scripts you will accept and at the end of the day, it will end up not adding value to you yourself.

    You are one of the few Yoruba acts who run a website. What is the idea behind this?

    Well, it is just for my fans to get to know me. I can’t get across to everyone. I just came back from Ilorin to shoot a movie and now I am in Ibadan for another. I will be in Lagos after this for another movie. That is the only place where my fans and loved ones can get to read and know me apart from the junk journalists write about us. Fine, I am not a controversial actress but sometimes you cannot do without people writing false information about you. The page is built for people to get to know more about me and what I do.

    How have you succeeded in staying away from controversies?

    Basically, I believe that everything has to do with the kind of orientation you have. The fact that I am into entertainment does not mean that I have to throw my upbringing into the dustbin. It is not easy. I am sure that those who are controversial do not just want to be. I just don’t know how they come across such things. For me, I try as much as possible to do away with things that I don’t need. I try as much as possible to stay away from trouble, unnecessary cheap popularity. I just don’t go to places, so that I could be notice. You know sometimes you just try your best, which might not be enough. But I think it’s been working for me. And I am not an outgoing person; I am an introvert if I can put it that way. So far, so good, I thank God. A part of me is religious, so I know my onions and know what I want.

    What was it like delving into movie production as an actress?

    The first thing that came to mind when I wanted to do my first production was that people call you for jobs and tell you what they want. The best thing is to call those who know about it, like the script writers. You tell them you have a story that educates people. In my first movie, I talked about cancer of the blood, young girls and the kind of quick money they want and the consequences they face at the end. What I did was to call on my senior colleagues, those that are real producers and told them my idea. I was told how to go about the production and getting it across the marketers. So it is about determination. Recently people have been talking about the way they pirate our movies, they suffer so much. This is my job with all the stress. Then some people just come up from nowhere and pick up the CD and pirate it into as many copies as they want. If you are really determined that you want to get your message across, then you don’t let that stop you. For my second movie which I shot in England and Nigeria, the marketers were not interested in the money I invested on it. I had to let them know that it is a message I am trying to get across and not the profit.

    Are you saying you are too comfortable and not in need of money?

    (Laughs) what are you talking about? Of course I need the money. I was away in England for about four years during which I got married and had my daughter. My husband takes care of some of my family and other stuff too. We are both young, trying to make it. So in any little way I can assist, I do. We all need money, I need to fuel my car, and sometimes I need to pay my driver. What I am just saying is that, it goes beyond the money. It is the passion, and when you have passion for something, you need to do it, comes what may.

    Don’t you feel you would fare better in the English genre?

    If I get invited, I will do it. I just feel I know where I am. I have done a few sitcoms with AK Media. Yes, I am educated, I went to school. I started with the Yoruba sector. So far, so good, I am fine where I am. If I get script, I will give them what they want. I am ready to take up challenges.

    How convenient is it for you having a family abroad and working here?

    It is not an easy task at all. Combining being a mother, wife and being a career woman, God has just always been my strength. Having an understanding partner who knows my job makes it easy. He encourages me, he shares in my stories, he shares in my pains, he knows all about what I do. When there is love and understanding in a relationship, the rest is just minor. I have a friend, father and a brother for a husband. It’s been easy for me with God but that is not to say that we do not have our misunderstanding. Having to stay more than the days expected on location is one challenge. Another one has to do with picking up my daughter for a weekend family outing and I am not there. So there have been hiccups but we have always conquered.

    Would you stay in an abusive marriage because you are a celebrity?

    No, I won’t. Like I say to people, there are always tell tale signs right from when you are courting. There is no point staying when you are not compatible. I won’t stay. Life is just too short, if you are not happy, get out of the relationship. There is no point forcing it. I am happy, that is why I am staying there. If I am not happy, I won’t stay, because I am not going to live my life for anybody. It is my life at the end of the day and I will be the one to carry my cross.

    Why don’t you expose your body like some of your colleague?

    One thing I would say is that, going nude in movies does not come with the job now. What you need as an actress is your inspiration and delivery. That is the way you are able to get across to your fans. Nobody is going to tell me I have to wear pant and bra. It does not come with the job. Acting goes beyond that, to me it is your expression and how you are able to get across to those who look up to you. It is a thing of the mind and the choice we make. If it comes to the character where you have to act the prostitute, we have the corporate prostitutes who do not expose their body because that is what they do. Naturally I don’t like wearing a lot of things on my body when I am home. But that does not take me to the movie set and start exposing my body. Not because I am married. Sometimes you need to show some flesh, like when you are acting the role where you have to seduce a man. But everything has to be moderate. For me I won’t go to the extreme. I work on my reaction and bringing my best out.

    When you are not busy, what do you do?

    Most times, I get out of the country. It could be one of the African countries, just to relax. Because of the love I have for this job, when I am here, that is what I use to relax.