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Tag: Nollywood

  • How I reacted when Tunde Kelani told me I couldn’t act –Nollywood actress Jumoke Aderounmu

    How I reacted when Tunde Kelani told me I couldn’t act –Nollywood actress Jumoke Aderounmu

    Jumoke Aderounmu is one of the Nollywood fast-rising actresses. The beautiful actress, who wowed Yoruba movie lovers in Alakada 2, cut her teeth in acting under the legendary cinematographer, Tunde Kelani. In this interview with MERCY MICHAEL, the graduate of International Relations from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State shares her inspirational journey in the make-believe world.

    YOU put up a good and inspiring performance in the Yoruba movie, Alakada 2. So, what really prepared you for that role?

    Thank you for saying that I acted so fantastically well on that set. But I’m going to tell you that, that is not the best of me. In fact, it can’t be the best of me.

    Concerning your question, I had seen the part one of the movie and I liked it. So, when Toyin Aimakhu called me that she wanted to do the part two, I was like, ‘Oh cool!’ Then, she said that she wanted the character to be like the person her character would be looking up to or someone who would be an influence on her. I was like, ‘Oh, really, that is cool!’

    For me, I can interpret any role given to me.

    So, I just told her that when the script is ready, she should let me see it. She was going to have a script conference and she called me up for it because she wanted me to understand the character very well and give her what she actually wanted. I attended the conference and I listened to the storyline again. I did research on the character and I was like, ‘It’s okay by me.’ And when I got on board, it was fun. Yes, it was really fun filming Alakada 2. There were people I had looked forward to working with it in the industry before I got on that set and when I met some of the cast, I was like, ‘Oh, my God!’

    Was that the first time you were working with Toyin Aimakhu?

    That wasn’t my first of time of working with Toyin. I had worked with Toyin before Alakada 2. My first time of working with Toyin was in Asise Eda 1& 2. I had seen a couple of her movies. But it was the first time I met and worked with her. It was filmed in 2012 and she filmed Alakada 2 around November, December 2012. I met her in a space of one month and shot Alakada 2.

    Alakada 2 was a huge opportunity for me to work with Bukky Wright because it was the first time I would work with her, one-on-one. I had met her before when we were filming Arugba. That was like my first time of acting. I was in Tunde Kelani’s Arugba. It was my debut movie and we didn’t really have any rapport because we did not have anything together. But this time, she worked directly with me on set and because of the fact that I like the way she interpreted her roles, it was easy for me to work as well.

    It was fun for me working with Helen Paul as well. Alakada 2 was the first time of working with Helen Paul. But after Alakada 2, I worked with Helen Paul again on another set. Who else was on that set? Yes, Uncle Hafeez Eniola, who is a very big production manager in the Yoruba genre of Nollywood. I knew him before Alakada 2, but I had never worked with him before. And I have never worked with the director, Adebayo Tijanni, either.

    What has helped you come this far in a short while?

    I give God all the glory for my talent. I’m going to say it over and over again that the best thing that happened to me is that God gave me a huge talent. And I am hoping that I will get the opportunity to make use of my talent anywhere. Secondly, I think that whatever you do, if you do not joke with your education and if you learn from the best hands, it always robs off on you.

    Are you still in school?

    I finished from the Obafemi Awolowo University in 2008 and did my national youth service in 2009, while we were filming Arugba.

    Did you study Theatre Art in school?

    No, I didn’t study Theatre Art in school. I studied International Relations. I thought about acting because, while I was in school, everybody thought I could do it. Uncle Kola Oyewo was my lecturer when I was in my first year. He felt I could do it and he liked my expression. When I do not even open my mouth to talk, I can pass a message. But I didn’t really take it seriously.

    In 2008, there was a major sectional break and I had to come to Lagos. I heard that Tunde Kelani was auditioning for the Arugba character.

    I spoke to my dad and he gave me his contact. Then, I called him on the phone. I scheduled an appointment with him. So, when I got to his office, I told him I wanted to audition for the Arugba character. I am a size eight right now; but then, I was really small. He looked at me and told me it was pointless trying to have a conversation with me. He said I could never be an actor and that he was sorry that I did not fit into the Arugba character. He said the character had to be tall and ebony dark-skinned. When he said he wasn’t even ready to have a conversation with me, I saw it as a challenge.

    I don’t like people saying no to me without even giving an opportunity to know me. So, I sat down in his office. I told him I was not going to leave until he agreed to have a conversation with him. I wanted to know why he said I couldn’t act because he didn’t even ask me to do anything. Then, he said it was because I was too petite and all. Then, I said that I thought it depends on one’s carriage and charisma. And that is what has worked for me so far. He eventually started talking to me and said whenever he wanted to film, he would let me know. And one day, I decided to call him up. I told him I was preparing to go for my youth service. So, he asked me to come over and that was it. So, I am going to say that maybe because I learnt from someone like him, that is why someone like you feels I am fantastic.

    Initially, were you intimidated by the A-list stars you worked with?

    I do not ever get star-struck. I am not a star- struck person actually. Before I saw them in person, I had seen them on TV. Aunty Funke Akindele is like the biggest female actor right now, and I have worked with her about four times. Between 2009 and 2011, I worked with her four times. So, most importantly, I understand that we are all human and we are all the same. But frankly, it is not easy for you to work with strong actors for the first time and then play up your role. I did that with the grace of God and a lot of prayers because for me, everything is God and family.

    What is the difference between Jumoke, the actress, and the real you?

    You are speaking with Jumoke Aderounmu. This is me! When I am on set, it is another me. The natural me is not a diva; I’m very down-to-earth; I am never serious; I am too playful and I never take anything seriously. People that are really close to me ask me a lot of time if I’m joking about something or I’m being serious. Ninety-five percent of the time, I am silly and playful. When I get on set or when I’m on radio, it takes me to psyche myself that, ‘Okay, you are working now.’

    Are you a radio presenter?

    I work with Concert Radio. And in less than one year of being on radio, I got nominated for the Trace Award as Female Radio Personality of Year. I think all that was possible for me because even on radio, I’m just always myself. It’s about my personality. Even my TV show will be launched very soon by God’s grace. When you guys see it, you will understand that it is just my personality. I’m just a very playful person. I don’t take life seriously. I take nothing seriously; but at the same time, I try to get my job done.

    What is the thrust of your TV show?

    It’s a talk show called The Lounge. I just didn’t want to be addressed as an actor or that actress, so I thought to myself that there has to be away around it. I know where I am going and I have prospect. I’m not a white collar person, so I told myself it’s would be entertainment. In 2010, I saw an advert for a TV presenter at Goldmyne Entertainment. I went for the auditioning and I got picked. We didn’t know much about presenting. Goldmyne then sent me and my colleagues to the FRCN training school for basic presentation and all. And I told myself that production is interesting. I’m a workaholic. I channel all my energy into work. So, I was producing and presenting ‘Box Office’ for a while all through 2011. At the time the producer of ‘Box Office’ was going to stop producing it, I just told myself that, okay, I do not want my TV career to just end; so, I spoke to Yolar, my producer, for the ‘Lounge’.

    I spoke to him about what I wanted to do. I told him I wanted a TV show, but I did not know what I wanted to do yet. Then, he said, “When you know what you want to do, let me know.” I thought about it over and over. Then, one day, I was watching the TV with my aunt and she asked me, ‘How do you come about all these TV programmes?’ And I explained to her. Then, it occurred to me that okay, there would be a lot of people who do not understand the making and filming of TV contents; so, I said, ‘Okay, I think I would do something about it.’ So, on my talk show, I will be talking to directors, costumiers, make-up artistes. But it’s going to be done in a proper lounge. I am hoping that people will like it. It’s not easy putting it together. It was a lot of hard work and I am excited about it.

    When is it going to berth on TV?

    For now, I don’t want to let the cat out of the bag.

    What are your plans for 2014?

    I am positive and I know with God, everything is possible. I am open to working more on movie sets and with the right people. I think I have two or three events to host. I am going to be hosting a fashion show in February at the Oriental Hotel.

    Given that you also compere events, which of all these talents has the better of you?

    I don’t know if I can actually say this is the one I fit into more. But I find it really, really exciting when I get on a movie set. I don’t know how, but I just get ignited. Basically, I love radio, TV and films. I just want to do it over and over again. I am excited about the three.

    I read somewhere, where you said you don’t like fake people…

    Of course, I don’t like fake people because I am not a fake person. I can’t contend with lies.

    Do you have a social life, so to speak?

    I am always at home and I am trying to actually get out of my shell now. I don’t have friends that I mix with in the industry. And that is the truth. Yes, I go out for events, but very rarely. If I have to go out for an event, I am most likely a part of that production. It was hard for me to be interviewed on the premiere of Alakada because I don’t even like the red carpet. My manager and I used to fight almost everyone now and then about it, until recently. He said to me that you can’t be shy and be in this industry.

    You appear to be a spoilt brat?

    I am not a spoilt brat; I can never be. In my house, they don’t even care if they see me on TV. I’m still a child and I get treated like a child that I am. If I make a mistake, they correct me. At home, they just tell me I am grounded and that is why I can’t be everywhere. If I go out and I say to them that I will be home by 6.00pm and I do not make it back at 6.00pm and I do not call before 6.00pm to say that I’m not going to be home by 6pm again, I will be scolded a lot when I return and will be grounded probably for the next three weeks. Getting grounded is like my second name now. I get tired. All through December, I was grounded. I couldn’t even go anywhere.

    They ring it in my head that I am not going to disgrace the family. They scold me a lot. I still cook. Even if I go to work, when I get back, I still cook for everybody.

    How has it affected the kind of roles you play?

    I can play any role.

    Even a semi-nude role?

    Yes, the only thing that I do is immediately I get the script, I read the script, understand everything about it; and then, I start saying at home that I am going to be on this or that production very soon. I give them scoops before the movie comes out. There was this role I acted, where the character was a smoker. So, I acted smoking cigarette and you wouldn’t believe I don’t even smoke. I can’t smoke or take alcohol.

    There was a day the movie was showing on Africa Magic. Then, my brother just looked at me and said, ‘Okay.’ Then, I told him it was water that they put in the Vodka bottle, that you know I don’t drink alcohol. But they know me. They know what I can do. You cannot come and tell them who their child is. They understand me very well. They are like my greatest fan. They are like my number one critic. The people that matter to me most understand that I am just doing my job.

    And that include the man you are in a relationship with it?

    I don’t want to talk about that.

    What’s your idea of marriage?

    It’s an institution of commitment and having to summit yourself totally to your partner.

  • Ovanrawmen Nogbaisi ‘resurrects’

    Ovanrawmen Nogbaisi ‘resurrects’

    •Filmmaker asks return of looted Benin artworks from museums

    As frontline Nollywood filmmaker, Lancelot Oduwa Imasuen plans to premiere his new epic movie, Invasion 1897; there is a historical addendum that might make the ceremony huge.

    Imasuen has revealed plans to mark the centenary of the death of the great King of Benin, Omo n’ Oba Ovanrawmen Nogbaisi. And his new film, which centers on the Oba’s historical relevance to the old Benin Empire, will be on hand to bring historical records to the fore.

    Top Nigerian stars in the epic include Segun Arinze, Paul Obazele, Mike Omoregbe who played the lead role as Oba Ovoramwen, Charles Inojie and the late Justus Esiri.

    Invasion 1897 has been endorsed by the Benin monarch, Oba Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolopolo and by the Edo state government.

    The film production is co-financed by Senator Daisy Danjuma and South Atlantic Petroleum Limited, supported by Capt (Dr.) Hosa Okunbor, the Chairman of FEVA TV in Toronto, Canada and J2konsult in the UK are marketing the film in Europe and planning the London unit of the movie.

    According to the filmmaker, the flick is based on the invasion of the Benin Kingdom by the British Empire in 1897 and looting the priceless ancient artifacts of the Benin kingdom, including the famous commemorative head and pendant of ivory mask representing Queen Idia (from court of Benin, 16th century) who was the mother of Esigie, the Oba of Benin who ruled from 1504 to 1550. The commemorative head is at the British Museum, while the pendant is at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, USA.

    “It will coincide with the country’s centenary celebration and which marks 100 years Oba Ovonramen N’ogbaisi (the then sitting Oba) died in exile in Calabar, on the 14th of January, 1914, where he was banished by the British.”Imassuen said.

    Imasuen said the project will also “kick start our call for reparations by the return of all the looted Benin artworks from all the museums around the world.”

    The historical film, he said, “is bound to raise a lot of dust regarding the global injustice meted to the people of Benin after the United Kingdom force of 1,200 under Admiral Sir Harry Rawson in 1897, captured, burnt, and looted ancient artifacts belonging to the Benin Kingdom.”

    Report say that ahead of the movie premiere, the notable film director will be hosting special guests from the Corporate world and leading journalists at his newly established studios in Surulere, Lagos.

    According to him, “There are a whole lot of similarities between the Nigeria state and the Oba Ovonramwen phenomenon. We will be holding a world press conference to mark 100 year of the death of Oba Ovonramwen on the 14th of January, 2014. I visited the place where Oba Ovonramwen lived, died and was buried in Calabar. To others, it’s just a film. But to me, it’s a movement. On 14th of January, we are going to mark the centenary of Oba Ovonramwen demise in Calabar.”

  • Marriage? I don’t care what people think–KC Ejelonu

    Marriage? I don’t care what people think–KC Ejelonu

    KC Ejelonu fits perfectly into the description of a lady with a come-hither look. Apart from her ravishing beauty, she is also brainy. Before she launched her acting career in the nation’s movie industry, otherwise called Nollywood, she had lived and worked in the UK, where she obtained a Master’s degree in International Marketing. In this interview with MERCY MICHAEL, KC Ejelonu, who is a toast of movie producers, speaks on her foray into Nollywood and love life, among other things.

    IT is four years now since you relocated to Nigeria from the UK to pursue your acting dream; so, would you say the decision has paid off?

    Yes, it has paid off. I say this because I knew what I wanted from a tender age. And when I set my mind to do something, I just go for it. So far, it’s been great, fun and challenging.

    While you were in the UK, it seemed you had quite a lot of friends in the Nigerian movie industry …

    (Cuts in) When I was about 15 or 16, I started an online blog or magazine. I was doing that and I got noticed by DJ Abass, Ayo Shonaiya and Ronke Apampam. They were with Ben Television. Anytime they were recording, they would call me to come to the studio, so I was meeting people and learning things. Then, there was a magazine show that I had to co-host from the age of 18 or 19. But my dad was like, “No, you are too young for this.” So, I had to step back.

    In the past years, you have acted in a number of critically acclaimed movies. So, what will you say is your unique selling point?

    When they call for auditions, I go for it. Apart from this, I am myself when I attend auditions. They look at me and say, ‘She stands out’. Sometimes, when you see me at an audition, you probably won’t recognise me because I will have no makeup on and will probably be in jeans and shirt. But sometimes, I dress up if I know what character I am going to audition for. If I know I’m going to audition for a mother, then, I will dress the part; if I know I’m going to audition for a spoilt brat, I dress the part and I act it the whole day. So, I stay in character. Basically, it’s just me being myself. I would say good communication skill, good diction and being able to interact with producers.

    It is believed that there are different cliques in Nollywood; so, which of them do you belong to?

    I don’t belong to any clique.

    I thought you would say Emem Isong’s?

    Not really with Emem Isong. It was a bit funny because I got introduced to Emem Isong through Omoni Oboli. She said she was having an audition, but she hadn’t fixed a day. She wanted to see me, so I went to see her. While she was on location, I waited for her. Lancelot was the director. While they were filming, he was waiting for one of his cast members and that girl kept taking ‘forever’ to come. She was late and Lancelot was really upset. When she came in with her Louis Vuitton luggage, bag, hair and all sorts of crap, she was really dressed up. And I was like, ‘this girl is so pretty.’ Immediately, Lancelot was like, ‘Are you the girl we are waiting for?’ And she said, ‘Yes’. She walked in with so much air and confidence. I was saying to myself, ‘Oh my goodness! They’ve been waiting for this girl for like over an hour and here she is strolling in like she’s the boss’.

    So, Lancelot was like, ‘Get into makeup.’ The next thing he said was that they should let them rehearse and it was with the late Mr. Enebeli of blessed memory. While they were rehearsing, I found out that she couldn’t speak properly and her diction wasn’t so great. And I thought to myself that if you go through your script and you realise you can’t pronounce some words correctly, make sure you learn how to pronounce them before you get on set. So, Lancelot was so upset and he started shouting. Then, she started crying and I felt sorry for her. I was scared because I was like, ‘Oh my God! Look at this director just talking to this girl anyhow.’ That was the first time I was seeing that.

    But then, I understood where he was coming from because time is money and you can’t keep a director waiting. Next, he just looked at me and said, ‘You read this’ and I did. And he just said, ‘Get into makeup.’ So, that was how I got into the first movie with Emem Isong. So, I kept going for auditions and they were asking me why I was coming. But I insisted that I play different roles, so they have to audition me to see if I can play those roles. I know as an actor, you should be able to play any role. Nevertheless, I prefer to go for audition.

    Do you still go for auditions as much as you used to?

    Hmm! I still go for auditions, but not as I used to. Back then, when I heard of any audition, I won’t even bother about whose audition it was or what it was about before attending it. But now, if I hear of any audition, I try to find out if it is a movie, a series or stage play. So, I still attend auditions.

    Have you ever experienced what happened to the girl you talked about earlier?

    Not really. Usually, I am good at time management. If you stay in the UK, time management is really important. So, I think the only time a director screamed at me was when I first moved back. My accent was really strong. Vivian Ejike noticed it and said I needed to switch. At that time, I was still learning how to switch and it was difficult. So, I was filming and I was supposed to speak Nigerian accent.

    I don’t want to say that I got lost, but the English accent just came out and the director screamed! He said, “You this girl” and I said, ‘I’m sorry.’ But over time, I have learnt to switch. Africa Magic actually helped me. I watch Africa Magic every day; I am not kidding you. I watch Africa Magic Yoruba and Hausa. And my maid will speak to me in Pidgin and Yoruba. In a matter of months, I could switch accent.

    You said in one of your interviews that people initially were seeing you as a hustler or a prostitute when you introduced yourself as an actress after your return. Did that make you want to change your mind at some point?

    No!

    Do you live solely on acting?

    No. A lot of people don’t know I actually do have a 9-5 job. When I moved back, I did my NYSC and went for a job in an oil and gas company. After that, I dedicated a year straight for acting and I went back to my 9-5 job.

    So, you still keep your regular job?

    Yes, I still have it. I actually don’t tell that to people because most directors will think that I won’t have time for their jobs. But my job is very flexible. All I need to do is give a proper notice to my boss.

    With your accent, there is the tendency for some of your colleagues to think you are actually ‘forming’…

    If you think I am ‘forming’, then, you actually must think I am better than you are and you must feel threatened by me. People do and I read about things. Sometimes, some colleagues tweet about it. I really do not let it bother me because at the end of the day, I am here to work. If you have a problem with me, that’s your business.

    I read an article you wrote for a newspaper titled: ‘Serial Liar’. Is lying what you dislike most about people?

    My dad always told me not to use the word hate; rather, he said I should actually use the word dislike. So, when I use hate, it means I really, really can’t stand that person that is lying. I have met a couple of serial liars along the way. I met this certain guy who was a serial liar and he was my friend and I hate him for that.

    So, he inspired you to write that article?

    Yes. His own was way out of it. Sometimes, you watch a movie and you see stuff like a guy asks someone’s hand in marriage; and later, you see the same guy getting married to someone else. That was it.

    Do you still have time to write as a columnist?

    I don’t actually write for Daily Independent anymore. But I still do some writings. I just finished writing a series and a movie actually. Yeah, I am doing a bit of that at the moment.

    You’ve featured in one or two music videos. Is video vixen something you want to pursue on the side?

    Oh, no! I won’t call myself a video vixen and I won’t call the characters I played video vixen. I actually played the role of an actor. They said they didn’t want a model or a video vixen. They actually wanted an actor. So, I actually did the things they wanted. With Tiwa Savage, there was a bit of acting in it. The video the public can see is not what we actually did. They were a lot more. There was actually a short film we did before the main video. They just put a little bit; we had a script.

    Have you got the opportunity to actually play a romantic role?

    Wow! Not really. I would say the only romantic role I have played is in A New You for Ebony Life TV. A New You is a romantic comedy. I played alongside Diana Yekinni and Shawn Farguar.

    So, what was it like?

    It was fun. It’s a small cast and I got to play the lead, which was a bit hectic. I got to play a married woman who felt her husband didn’t find her attractive, so she never used to take care of herself so much until I saw my husband’s colleague and she was hot. So, I had to step my game up. You should watch it.

    What about the kissing part…you once said that kissing in Nollywood movie isn’t always real…

    Yes, I did. I made it believable and people actually thought, ‘Oh my God! That was deed. Meanwhile, the interview you are referring to is old. That was a reference to old movies. When you see people kissing then, they were actually kissing each other’s necks.

    Whom did you kiss?

    Amsean.

    If he was an actor you were not in any way attracted to, would you make it that believable?

    Yes, I’m actually not attracted to any actor in Nigeria.

    Since then, have you been able to give love or dating a chance?

    Hahahaha! The word love is strong.

    Dating?

    I haven’t given it a chance.

    Why?

    I think it will come. What I have noticed with people who walk up to me is that they sort of size you up and then try to put up themselves up to your level. But it will only take a matter of time. If you give that person a month or two, his true colour and attitude will come to the open. So, that has been the case. I’m not in a relationship. I meet people and I go out on dinner dates. I just try to get to meet people. I have found myself and I believe I will find the right person for me.

    What about the proverbial ‘biological clock’?

    I mean if my parents are not putting pressure on me, I don’t care what the society thinks.

    Do you still live with your uncle?

    I wanted to live by myself. I wanted to get my own place, but my dad was against it. He feels I still need that family grounding, but I am my own person. Everyone in my family has known that since. For your information, I still make my decision and I tell him. I don’t go to him and tell him these are my options, so he can help me to choose. I make my decision and I tell him.

    Do you have a social life?

    I actually don’t. I am trying to. I go to watch movies alone; and sometimes, I get calls from my friends. If it’s a friend’s birthday, I go. Within my estate, there is a bar, so I am usually there. That is about it. In Nigeria or in Lagos, they don’t do so much activity. If it is not clubbing, there is nothing. But I want to go bowling, playing games and doing so many other things. It is not about clubbing and I really don’t like clubbing. With clubs, you get your hair done; you go in and come out and you smell cigarette. I really don’t like that.

  • Belinda’s top 10

    Belinda’s top 10

    Nollywood actress, Belinda Effah, discloses her favourite things to Kehinde Olueye

    Favourite shoe

    Prada

     

     

    Favourite bag

    Gucci

     

     

    Favourite wrist-watch

    Rolex

     

     

    Favourite ear-rings

    Studs

     

     

    Favourite car

    Rolls Royce

     

     

    Favourite perfume

    Gucci

     

     

    Favourite underwear

    Victoria Secret

     

     

     

    Favourite fashion designer

    Zizi Cardow

     

     

    Favourite eyewear

    Cartier

     

     

    Favourite dinner wear

    Zizi Cardow

    Dinner wear

  • Celebrating Nollywood at 20 is fraudulent, says Makinde

    Celebrating Nollywood at 20 is fraudulent, says Makinde

    SEASONED actor –cum- producer, Rotimi Makinde, has stated that celebrating the nation’s movie industry, otherwise known as Nollywood, amounts to falsification of facts and an injustice to the history of the sector.

    Makinde, who represents Ife Federal Constituency at House of Representatives, said: ‘’My attention has been drawn to some misguided statements being championed by some hatchet men on the social media.

    “I hereby restate my position that Nollywood is not 20 years. The numerical designation of Nollywood as an industry that has existed for only 20 years is a deliberate falsification of facts and an injustice on the history of the sector.”

    Reacting to statements against his stance that the theatre/movie industry has existed for more than 20 years, Makinde stated most of the promoters of Nollywood @ 20 are motivated by political and pecuniary reasons.

    Makinde, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), stressed that the motive of the drivers of the Nollywood@20 celebration is to harness the strength and popularity of the film industry to campaign for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)- led Federal Government for the 2015 election.

    The veteran actor, in a statement, said it is an open secret that film industry or theatre activities is more than 20 years in Nigeria.

    Going down memory lane, Makinde  disclosed that the meritorious roles played by Ojo Ladipo, Moses Olaiya, Chief Hubert Ogunde, among others, cannot be said to be irrelevant as far as Nollywood is concerned.

    “These great men recorded milestones that attracted international awards for about 40 years now,” he noted.

    Continuing, he said:  ”I found it intriguing that these sets of narrow- minded class of disgruntled elements refused to produce superior argument on my view but chose to measure my performance based on the theatre industry, a position I found hypocritical, delusional and deficient in all assessment of intelligence.

    “For followers of my activities in the Lower Chamber, my contributions and impact at ensuring our industry becomes the mainstay of the nation’s economy as well as my constructive agitation for the welfare of Nollywood practitioners as exemplified through various motions in that regards is quite profound.”

    Makinde added that Nollywood is acknowledged as a veritable alternative to oil in our country but the industry is daily confronting challenges ranging from lack of funding to absence of a formal regulated structure, piracy, internal crisis, retraining and inadequate distribution network among other factors.

  • Stella Damasus reveals New Year resolutions

    Stella Damasus reveals New Year resolutions

    NOT minding the several controversies that surrounded her career and relationship last year, Nollywood star, Stella Damasus, has revealed her New Year resolutions.

    She took to her blog recently, saying, “I am starting my year with a 21-day day fast and asking God for strength to see it through. I know the things that I need God to do for me and my family. I also know that I need answers and direction from God. Most importantly, I know that it is time to stop wasting my time and face my calling, regardless of what people will say or think.

    “I know that I want to build my relationship with God and advertise Him to the world with all that He has given me. I also know that it is time for you all to step out in faith and live the best life you were called to live. As the world draws closer to its end, we all need to be mindful of what we absorb from this world and society.

    “I am not going to comment on something because the world is expecting a reaction from me, but speak as the Holy Spirit leads me. I am not going to be afraid of doing the things that God has asked me to do because of the impression some people have of me. I am not going to please man and offend God. I am not going to keep friends who are not willing to follow the will of God and encourage me to love Him. I am not going to beg or seek validation from man, but from God who has already validated and endorsed me. I am not going to say I am not good enough or I am not qualified because God created me for such a time as this. I am not going to run away from the real me just because I want to retain fans and friends”.

  • Movies that may rule 2014

    Movies that may rule 2014

    “Whenever I travel abroad, many of my colleagues and presidents of other countries ask me about Nollywood.” Says President Goodluck Jonathan recently.

    To the avid followers of the nation’s thriving movie industry, otherwise called Nollywood, the events of the year 2013 will live in their memories for a long time. Apart from the occasional rancour that rocked the various guilds in the industry, the affair of the industry went without any hitch. This, perhaps, provided the ambience for producers and directors to get to work, churning out some of the finest movies for release in the later part of the year, some of which are listed below.

    Invasion 1897

    LAUNCHING the year in full swing is Nollywood producer and director, Lancelot Imaseun, with his latest effort, Invasion 1897.

    The flick is a re-enactment of the story of the invasion of the Benin Kingdom by the British Empire in 1897.

    Invasion 1897 is the story of Oba Ovonramwen, the then monarch of Benin who was exiled to Calabar after his kingdom was invaded, his palace sacked and several bronze artifacts carted away.

    Coincidentally, the year 2014 marks the centenary celebration of the death of Ovonramwen Nogbaisi. It also marks the centenary anniversary of the amalgamation of the Northern and Southern protectorates to form the entity called Nigeria.

    Invasion 1897 is said to have been endorsed by the monarch of the Benin Kingdom, Oba Erediauwa.

    It stars the likes of Segun Arinze, Paul Obazele, Mike Omoregbe, Charles Inojie, Nigerian-born Charles ‘Chucky’ Venn, Tremaine Gidigbi, St. Lucian-born English actor and Joseph Marcell.

    It also features a special appearance by the late Justus Esiri.

    Dazzling Mirage

    BY all standards, Tunde Kelani is a veteran. As a celebrated filmmaker, his flicks have always had a human angle touch.

    So, perhaps, out of a sense of duty, Kelani has set out to make a flick that touches on sickle cell anemia titled Dazzling Mirage.

    According to him, “All of us are connected directly or indirectly to the sufferers of this ailment. I’m intrigued by the writer’s approach to weave a love story with it. To me, that is an attraction. I have also had a personal relationship with sufferers of this ailment and I consider it my responsibility to bring their stories to the fore.”

    Dazzling Mirage tells the story of a sickle cell patient who struggles to overcome social stigma, prejudice and her own low self-esteem to achieve success.

    The movie, which stars Lala Akindoju and Kunle Afolayan, is an adaptation of Yinka Egbokhare’s literary piece by the same title.

    October 1

    THOUGH it is yet to hit movie shelves, Kunle Afolayan’s latest effort, October 1 is already picking up laurels. Only a few months after the release of its official trailer, it won the prestigious International Movie Trailer’s Festival’s (IMTF) award in the Best Fiction Trailer Category, earning the filmmaker $250.

    The movie is built around Dan Waziri, a police inspector who is sent to the trading town of Akote by the then colonists to solve a series of murder cases. He must solve the mystery of these attacks before the British flag is lowered and the Nigerian flag is raised on the Independence Day on October 1.

    Among the stars in the flick are ace actor and broadcaster, Sadiq Daba, Kehinde Bankole, David Bailie, Kayode Olaiya, Nick Rhys, Fabian Lojede and Demola Adedoyin.

    Deola Sagoe of Haute Couture plays the legendary Funmilayo Ransom Kuti.

    Clinching an award, prior to its release, pitches October 1 as a flick to watch out for in the year 2014.

    Father Moses

    BILLED for release in the later part of the year, Father Moses already has movie lovers anticipating, especially as it brings Yomi Fabiyi and Ini Edo Ehigwina in holy matrimony.

    Written and produced by Yomi Fabiyi with Taiwo Oduala as director, Father Moses has to do with the governor of the state, Jide kosoko and his rascal son, Yomi Fabiyi. It is tied around various Catholic families.

    Desmond Elliot plays Father Moses, who falls in love with Ini Edo, a girl from one of the Catholic families. Their love spawns a lot of conflicts.

    The flick also stars Bimbo Akintola, Ayo Mogaji, Hafiz Oyetoro, Keji Yusuf, Buki Awoyemi, Kemi Afolabi, Hakeem Rahman, Ara, Niyi Johnson, Tola Ayeni ( Agbelebu mi), Segun Adekoya (Chamelion) and Remi Oshodi.

    Half of a Yellow Sun

    FOLLOWING a successful world premiere at the 38th annual Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) last year, Half of a Yellow Sun, an adaptation of Chimamanda Adichie’s novel by the same title, is rated among movies that will make 2014’s cinema calendar worth following.

    The movie is directed by UK-based Nigerian playwright, Biyi Bandele and produced by Andrea Calderwood. The British/Nigerian co-production was shot at the Tinapa Film Studios in Calabar and in London.

    Set in 1960s Nigeria, Half of a Yellow Sun is an epic love-story, weaving together the lives of four people caught up in the Nigerian civil war.

    The romantic drama chronicles the lives of Olanna (Thandie Newton) and Kainene (Anika Noni Rose), two glamorous twins from a wealthy Nigerian family who return to a privileged city life in newly independent 1960s Nigeria.

    The sisters make starkly different choices back at home. While Olanna, to the chagrin of her family, moves in with her lover, the “revolutionary professor”, Odenigbo (Chiwetel Ejiofor) in the university town of Nsukka, Kainene, once the rebellious tomboy, turns to business and proves fiercely successful at it.

    Kainene surprises herself and the family even more by falling in love with Richard (Joseph Mawle), an English writer. The relationship between the sisters turns sour as betrayal tears them apart. The sisters become victims of the civil war that threatened to divide Nigeria in two and pits the world in polarised halves.

    76

    FORMERLY titled Lions of 76, the movie, 76, is built around the botchery of the historical putsch of 1976 that ousted the then military regime and led to the death of the Head of State and Commander-In-Chief, Gen. Murtala Muhammed in Lagos.

    Aside its historical nature, 76 comes across as a star-studded flick, especially as it features some of the industry’s finest actors, including Ramsey Nouah, Rita Dominic, Ibinabo Fiberisima, Chidi Mokeme, Memry Savanhu, Adonijah Owiriwa, Daniel K. Daniel, Nelly Ekwereogu and Shuaibu Ebenehi Adams.

    The flick is set in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State, and is based on the era when soldiers called the shots in the country and how the wives of the officers coped.

    The Visit

    THE visit, which just entered the post-production stage, falls in the category of limited cast flicks by KOGA Studios.

    Going by its new movie concept, KOGA Studios appears to be leveraging on the success of its first film, Heroes and Zeroes, an award-winning flick.

    With the cast and crew of the movie calling it a wrap recently, the movie is already being tipped for the biennial Federation of Pan African Film Festival (FESP)ACO) in Ouagadougou, with plans to also subtitle it in French language.

    Shot on location in Lagos, the movie is directed by Funke Fayoyin, director of the highly acclaimed The gods Are Still Not To Blame, a contemporary adaptation of Ola Rotimi’s book.

    In a chat with the cast, Ikpe-Etim who is known to have played a relatively emotional movie role noted: “My role in The Visit and Mr and Mrs are two different people and the only similarity is that they are married. The woman in Mr and Mrs was more of a different character who tries to save her marriage; but in The Visit, the character has a loving relationship with her husband. Because it is a four- man cast, it was an extremely challenging role for m, because I have to be engaging enough for me not to lose my audience. I have to carry them along through every sentence. My character in The Visit is a non-conformist, who does not believe in what the society wants, but in what she wants as long as she’s not hurting the next person.”

    Femi Jacobs who is the husband of Mcwinzu in the movie says “My character in The Visit is also a challenging one. Apart from being married to a geek, the script is totally different. I have never done anything like this before, having your neighbour in the same house with different characters and 80 percent of the movie shot inside the house. Though my character is not the non-conformist, but the quiet part of my nature helps me to mask my character like I should.”

    Blossom sheds light on the moral lesson of the movie when he said; “the moral of the movie The Visit is to be truthful to your partner because once you lie, you would have to keep lying to cover up the previous lies. It also tells us not to judge until you walk in people’s shoes, even if you do walk in their shoes, no two different persons will have same experience.”

    The Visit is a come-back movie for Mcwinzu, who admitted that “It is a challenging role for me because sometimes I find it difficult to be in character. But with the help of my three most amazing colleagues and director, I am able to perfect it. It is a wonderful experience on set. I had so much fun.”

  • Top Nigerian movies to look out for

    Top Nigerian movies to look out for

    Nigerian film industry continues to excite the world with interesting movies. Here are some top rated Nigerian films you should look out for this season.

    Half of a Yellow Sun, the long-awaited screen adaptation of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s Orange Prize-winning novel from 2006.

    A global bestseller about the romantic saga of two sisters and their lovers during the Nigerian-Biafran War. The movie by Nigerian playwright and first-time film-maker Biyi Bandele

    B For Boy by Chika Anadu, whose debut film has been shortlisted for the festival’s Sutherland Award for first-time film-makers is a must watch. A spare, character-driven drama about the social pressure on Nigerian women to bear male children, it tackles challenging issues of politics and gender with a woman’s touch still rare in the industry.

    Mother of George by Andrew Dosumu focused in the sights and sounds of Yoruba immigrant population in New York.

    Mr and Mrs,  by Ikechukwu Oyeka and produced by Chinwe Egwuagu portrays oppressed Nigerian housewife Nse Ikpe Etim by her husband Joseph Benjamin. The excellent performance by Nse as a well educated Nigerian housewife, who lost her touch in the society and a fight against assault on women makes my list of Nigerian movies of the Decade.

    Last Flight to Abuja,  tells the true life story about Dana Flight 992 using the flight name ‘Flamingo Airways.’ A flight scheduled to fly from Lagos to Abuja on a fateful Friday night in 2006. The plane cruises at 30,000 feet, tranquil and on schedule. But like its counterpart, Dana, a mixture of human error, technical failure and bad luck develops and send the cargo to a national disaster.

    The Figurine: Araromire – Araromire is neither good nor evil; for anyone that comes in contact with her shall flourish for seven years and for another seven years wrath, terror and destruction on whoever has her in custody

     IJE: The Journey, a story by Chineze Anyaene & Samuel Tilsen tells a tale of Chioma, a child growing up in the Nigerian countryside, who warned her restless sister, Anya, about the trappings of the American Dream. Now ten years later, Anya is accused of killing three men in a Hollywood Hills mansion–one of them her record producer-husband. Chioma travels from Nigeria to Los Angeles, and with the help of a young, unproven attorney.

     Anchor Bay  Directed by: Lonzo Nzekwe starring Omoni Oboli, Sam Sarpong, Terri Oliver and a group of other international cast from Canada and United States.

    Phone Swap starring Nse Ikpe-Etim, Wale Ojo, Joke Silva Lydia Forson and others. Directed by Kunle Afolayan is just Amazing.

    The Mirror Boy  by Obi Emelonye completes the list of the Top 10 Best Nigerian movies of the 2000′

     

    Culled from:osaseye.blogspot.com

     

  • To hell with the cinema!

    To hell with the cinema!

    AN expression of indispensability is certainly foolhardy. But we can pardon a man who is frustrated by the system, when he calls your bluff-we are all victims.

    The import of the cinema, as the first call by a filmmaker who desires to travel the routine chain of film distribution, cannot be overemphasized. But the Nollywood phenomenon has defied the rules with reasonable justifications.

    Expectedly, for a clime where things work, even averagely, a filmmaker is expected to have recouped his investment from cinema exposures, before releasing his works into DVD and then, VCD. But this will never be for the Nigerian filmmaker, who is a victim of huge taxation, even with the dearth of screen platforms that wouldn’t boost his meagre take-home pay.

    While a school of thought is of the opinion that more cinemas should be built and cinema culture promoted, another believes that the cinema model in Nigeria is elitist in nature; hence, the need to strengthen the Direct-to-Home (DTH) model through fortified marketing /distribution process.

    One could only appreciate the situation the Nigerian filmmaker is going through, when it is understood that in neighbouring South Africa of 48 million people, the viewers are hosted to more than 400 screens, while Nigeria of 160 million population can only boast of 50 screens- equivalent of one screen per three million Nigerians.

    But why shouldn’t the DTH distribution in Nigeria be the most realistic for now when, again, an average filmmaker who seeks refuge in the cinemas is being further enslaved?

    With about 20 percent earnings from the cinema-exhibited films going to the government and about 50 percent going to the cinema houses, we must ask the filmmaker if 30 percent that is accrued to him from the few cinema houses in Nigeria is enough justification for the ‘normal’ model.

    I hear that Multichoice is trying to introduce the movie-on-demand initiative this year. This is tapping into the more than a dozen ways to rent or buy films by people who fancy them and want to start playing them immediately on their TV sets or computers.

    As beautiful as this innovation may be, I’m curious to know the security measures that DSTV will put in place to ensure that piracy does not rock this idea.

    I marvel at how our boys break the barriers of films streamed online-only though that the wonders of the new DsTV decoder wouldn’t permit piracy so easily.

    Almost all work the same way: you choose a film online and when you buy or rent it, the video streams directly to you. Usually, that’s to a computer, but it can be to an iPhone, a games console or an internet-connected TV set.

    But since a meeting has been fixed by the management of the company with the Nollywood filmmakers, I presume this area of doubt will be assuaged. If this is done, I bet the Nigerian filmmaker will call the bluff of the shylock cinema operators.

    As huge as the UK film market is, when NetFlix got there, it met a market busier than anyone realised.

    NetFlix offers a single price of £5.99 per month for unlimited viewing of films and TV.

    BT Vision is another on-demand service that comes to the TV sets of subscribers, right alongside their normal channels. The service claims over 5,500 videos, including classic and blockbuster films plus UK and US television.

    It is common knowledge that piracy thrives where original contents are scarce. And much as one may be afraid of online or digital methods of distributions, a school of thought believes that it is more secured for the filmmaker to get his film out there than for someone else to put it out for him. That way, he is able to earn that part of the fund that could have gone entirely to pirates.

    According to Jonathan D. Rose, an intellectual property litigator with Bradley Arant Boult Cummings, a law firm in Nashville, “The rise of streaming video content hubs like Netflix and Amazon has, to a certain extent, recaptured some users that may have resorted to piracy. This is because in previous years, there was no other way to find an instant feed of a movie or show without resorting to piracy. Now, there are legitimate streaming services that offer that content.”

    If the offering by DsTV is anything to go by, there is also for the movie buffs an alternative to outdoor entertainment. This is what distance and unnecessary price has denied several people. Therefore, you can bet that Pay TV subscribers who live in Sango Ota, Abeokuta, Ijebu-Ode, Uyo, Oron, Enugu, Awka, Nassarawa etc are assured of first-hand viewing of new movies, which is one of the beauties of the cinemas.

  • Uche Jombo celebrates

    Uche Jombo celebrates

    Uche Jombo-Rodriguez, one of the top Nollywood actresses and producers, marked her 34th birthday on Saturday.

    She spent the day with her husband, Kenny Rodriguez, at a hotel in New York.

    A number of her colleagues and fans were said to have sent congratulatory messages to her on the occasion.