As Africa sets to honour its movie industry best at the 12th edition of the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) 2016 billed to hold this weekend in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria’s Nollywood actors, Omoni Oboli, Adesua Etomi and Linda Ejiofor and film maker, Chioma Onyenwe, are amongst top contenders for this year’s awards.
Nominated for ‘Best Female Lead Act’, ‘Best Actress in a Supporting Role’ and ‘Best Directional Debut’ respectively, these leading Nollywood ladies take us into their world of make believe.

OMONI OBOLI – Stay focused on improving your art and not your image

Over the years, Nollywood screen diva, Omoni Oboli, has plotted her career on the right path, strategically choosing to play characters that people would think about for years to come in movies like ‘Entanglement’, ‘Figurine’ and later ‘Fifty’ amongst others.  
The award-winning actor and movie producer was recently nominated in the ‘Best Female Lead Act’ category at the 2016 Africa Movie Academy Awards( AMAA) for her role as Maria in ‘Fifty’, a movie which captures few pivotal days of four women at the pinnacle of their careers. She studied Foreign Languages at the University of Benin, Edo State, majoring in French.  In 1996, while still at the university, she shot her first film. She then took a 10-year break, got married and returned to the screen in 2009 with ‘Entanglement’.
With a number of movies to her credit and a recent one, ‘Wives on Strike’ making the waves, Omoni, in this interview, speaks on her nomination, her constructive views on the movie industry, marriage and more.

How does it feel being nominated in the category of ‘Best Female Lead Act’ in the 2016 Africa Movie Academy Awards, AMAA, alongside other top female acts?
It feels great! It always gives me a sense of pride and joy when my work is recognised in any way and this nomination is one of the prizes we work to achieve. I am also honoured to be named alongside such great actors as those nominated in the ‘Best Female Lead Act’ category. I thank God!

What was it like interpreting your role in the movie ‘Fifty’? Was it challenging or just easy?
Every role is challenging because I am not any of the characters I play. I always have to learn to become the personalities I play so that I can give a more believable performance. For the character of Maria, I tried to understand the circumstances she found herself in and somehow make sense of it while playing the role without really understanding it in reality because, her choices are not my choices. The idea is to give a performance that comes across as easy to the audience such that my face becomes the face of Maria in the movie with all her issues.

Is it something you would like to do again?
Of course, I wouldn’t mind playing another good role in a movie of Ebony Life Films’ ‘Fifty’ scale. That is what I long to do as an actor.

Twelve years on… What is your view on AMAA? Is there any area you would like the organisers to improve upon?
Wow! 13 years! It’s not easy to keep at something that long these days and for that, they deserve their own award. They definitely have areas to improve on. Who doesn’t? Even the Oscars do.
One of the areas would be the aspect of sponsorship. I wish they would have more funding by corporate bodies because, when the awards look good and are seen to be credible, the whole industry benefits from it and improves. So, I would say that the improvement I would really like to see would be that of more corporate endorsement and funding.

You have been in the industry a long time. In your view, do you think the Nigerian movie industry is where it should be?
It’s exactly where it should be. We often beat ourselves up about where we should be and forget to put in the right effort to take care of what we have now. This causes us to lose focus in the future thereby losing every opportunity to attain to the heights we desire. If we can first accept where we are now and take steps to first love what we do now and build audience participation for the industry as a whole, we will see a speedy move towards where our colleagues in other countries are now.
So, let’s not despise our humble beginnings with our own words. Let us begin to see that we are on a journey and let’s enjoy the journey. The destination isn’t even where other nations are now. It is constantly moving because they are also improving to get even further than where they are now and so should we. Note that we are employing a lot more people today than we had ever dreamed of. So, we have improved.

How did you get into the movie industry?  At what point did you discover your creative flair?
I love acting and thank God for the pioneers. I saw a career in the industry. When some of my friends came to Lagos in my first year of university and told me they had been in the movies, I couldn’t wait for the next trip to Lagos to join them. That was how I found myself in Lagos in 1996 and ended up playing the lead female in three movies; two for Fidelis Duker and one for Hilda Dokubo. As for my creative flair, I have always had it. I knew that I had it since I was a little girl. I knew it when I wrote, produced and directed most of our school and church dramas on parents-teachers days.

You started out as an actress and moved to being a producer. What’s the transition like for you?
Like I said, I have always written, produced and directed plays. I wouldn’t say it was much of a transition; unless in the eyes of those who didn’t know me earlier. It was a natural progression and I still love acting. My transition to producing and directing only serves to put my acting in the kind of movies I wanted to be seen in.

At what point did you decide to produce your own movie?
When I returned to the industry in 2006, I wrote some scripts and they weren’t executed the way I would love to interpret them. Every director sees the same story differently and they did a good job on the scripts but it still wasn’t the way I would have done them so I went to the New York Film Academy in New York to study Digital Filmmaking.
The way I saw it, if I wanted my stories to have my DNA, I would have to direct them myself.  When I returned, I started work on my own productions. Before then, I had co-produced the award-winning movie, ‘The Rivals’ in 2007, with Blessing Egbe.

You are one of the few actors that have a stable home and family. What is the secret? How are you able to keep your home and career going?
As long as you and your spouse remember that acting, like every other profession out there, is just a job, you’ll be fine. When you bring it home and expect your family to treat you as your fans out there would, you are asking for trouble. Like my husband tells everyone, my drama ends on the big screens where it belongs. Notwithstanding, the real tie that binds my marriage is the grace and favour of God.

What is your advice for aspiring actors and those who look up to you for inspiration?
Focus on the work because the hype out there about you and the love your fans shower on you every day is directly linked to your work and delivery. Do not get caught up with stardom and neglect your work or good work ethics because if that stops, your fans will turn to another person who will surely replace you sooner or later.
Stay focused on improving your art and not your image. No one goes to a mirror, sees his or her dirty face and then starts trying to reach out to clean the image. Improve yourself and your skill and your image out there would stay winning.

If you were not an actor, what profession would you have chosen?
Hmmm! Definitely a business woman, which I am. If it’s a case of what I would love to have been but because of some subjects, it’s definitely a surgeon.

What’s that ‘fun fact’ about you that people are not aware of?
I’m not a party person. I love staying indoors when I am not working. I enjoy reading a lot. That’s my ‘fun fact’.

With a number of movies to your credit, what’s next for Omoni?
More and more movies to my credit! I’m currently working on my next project which commences soon. I am currently in the pre-production stage. By God’s grace, we will be giving you all another blockbuster soon!

 

LINDA EJIOFOR – I’m on a journey to becoming the best version of myself.

Although she is famous for her role as Bimpe in the MNET series ‘Tinsel’, Linda Ejiofor broke through with her spectacular performance as Ejura in ‘The Meeting’; a performance which came with several award nominations and an eventual win at the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Award for ‘Best Supporting Actress’ in 2015. She has starred in a number of movies since hitting the big screen. She also has an active career as an editorial model, having been the face of several advertising campaigns and TV commercials, including ‘The Apprentice Nigeria’ (Bank PHB billboards, prints and post), Maclean toothpaste amongst others.
The graduate of Sociology from the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has been nominated for AMAA 2016 in the ‘Best Actress in a Supporting Role’ category.

How does it feel being nominated for AMAA 2016 in the ‘Best Actress in a Supporting Role’ category?
I am very excited. It is the AMAAs! It is a big deal and it is my second nomination ever.

Do you hope to win? What do you think would give you a win?
I think getting a nomination is winning! Everyone nominated was selected from an incredible pool of talent so everyone is a winner.

You won the 2015 ‘Best Supporting Actress’ at the AMVCA for your role in ‘The Meeting’.  Does that kind of put any pressure on you as far as your career is concerned?
I don’t think so. It was incredible winning that category but I didn’t feel any pressure afterwards.

Before now, you had some nominations for ‘best actress’ and ‘best supporting actress’. How did it feel not emerging the winner in the categories?
I don’t think anyone gets into acting simply because they want to win awards. I act because I am passionate about acting and because it makes me extremely happy to be able to live these different lives through the characters I play.

What is your view on AMAA generally?
The AMAAs have been very consistent, which is impressive. They have put on an event every year since their inception. I think that it is very laudable.

How did the journey to the movie industry begin for you?
In 2007, a friend of mine dragged me to an audition that MNET was holding. I did not really think too much of it. I went because she insisted. I guess, I did not do too badly because in 2008 when ‘Tinsel’ debuted, they called me back and offered me the role of Bimpe. That was how I started acting professionally.

Which was your very first movie? And which would you say brought you to limelight?
‘The Meeting’ by The Audrey Silva Company was my very first feature film. But I had been on ‘Tinsel’ for few years before then. I think it showed people a different side of me and helped establish my versatility.

What is the most extreme change to your personality, hair, body weight etc. that you have done to land a role?
I am yet to land a role that has required me to extremely alter my hair or body weight. Personality wise, it is hard to pick the most extreme one because I am a bit shy and quiet and I don’t think I have ever played a timid character. The women I have played have been very outspoken.

In which area would you like to improve as an actor?
I am still on a journey to becoming the best version of myself so I am very open to improving in every aspect possible.

What would your dream role be and what would you bring to it?
It would probably be a character with mental issues.

If you were not an actor, what profession would you choose?
I would be an actor. I honestly cannot think of doing anything else.

What’s that ‘fun fact’ about you that people are not aware of?
I dance. I think that is fun.

Tell us a bit about yourself, educational background and growing up years?
I am from a family of seven and I’m the second child. I love playing volleyball and I love to travel. I attended Labo Memorial Nursery and Primary School, then Federal Government Girls College, Onitsha. My tertiary education was at the University of Port Harcourt and I served in Jigawa State. Growing up was really nice. My siblings and I were very mischievous and we had a lot of adventures.

What informed your choice of career as a teenager?
Well, I did not set out to be an actor. I wanted to work in advertising. I found it intriguing so I pursued that career path until I got a chance to be on ‘Tinsel’ and a whole new world opened up to me. I have never regretted the choice to act instead.

Who is your role model in the industry?
I look up to a lot of people; to name a few – RMD, Joke Silva and Rita Dominic.

What does style mean to you?
Style means owning whatever fashion choice you’ve made. I think the event or occasion should have a major say in what you decide to wear.

Are you in a relationship?
I don’t talk about my private life.

Who is your ideal man?
Compatibility is most important for me.

What would you say life has taught you?
Never say never!

 

ADESUA ETOMI – As an actor, it is important to take on work that stretches me.

It’s been a remarkable year for Adesua Etomi, the Nollywood starlet who has rocketed from unknown to A-list in almost no time. First, it was her win at the AMVCAs as ‘Best Actress in a Drama’. Next was her riveting performance in ‘Failing’ and a recent nomination for the forthcoming AMAA 2016 for ‘Best Actress in a Leading Role’ alongside other prominent actresses for the same movie.
The screen diva, who relocated to Nigeria from the UK few years ago, made her big screen acting debut in 2014 when ‘Knocking on Heaven’s Door’ was released in Nigerian cinemas. Her riveting performance as the abused Debbie projected her as one to watch. With back to back stellar performances, first as Layo in ‘Brave’ and as Sharon in ‘Gidi Up Season 2’, Adesua Etomi proved to critics that she had the requisite acting chops.

When did your journey to the movie industry begin?
I got cast by Emem Isong for my first ever film, ‘Knocking on Heaven’s Door’ in 2013. It was released in April 2014. Shortly after that was the short film, ‘Brave, by Dolapo Adeleke and so began my sojourn into the movie industry.

At what age did you discover your love for acting?
I was really young but I remember watching ‘Coming to America’ in 1993 and wanting to be Lisa. So, I joined the drama club at Corona Primary School, Victoria Island (Lagos) and started to explore my creative side.

You are basically new in Nollywood and already winning awards for your efforts. How does that make you feel?  Does it put some sort of pressure on you?
If I feel any kind of pressure, it is the good kind. I am grateful for the awards and the recognition but my focus is always on the work; acting and being good at it. I am thankful every day that I get a chance to play these diverse characters and impact the world in my own little way. I just want to be the best possible actor I can be.

You are nominated for AMAA 2016 for ‘Best Actress in a Leading Role’ alongside other prominent actresses. How does that make you feel?
It is very humbling. It is almost surreal to hear my name being called in the same breath as some of my favourite Nigerian actors. I look up to these women and I think they are amazing. Getting nominated for an AMAA, to me, is already winning. Whichever way it goes, this is something I will remember for a long time.

What was it like interpreting your role in ‘Failing’? Was it challenging or just okay?
Every role that I have taken on, so far in my career, has been challenging. It is important for my process as an actor to take on work that stretches me and shows range. ‘Falling’ was and still is one of the more challenging projects I have done. The character, Muna, was complicated and she was faced with a very difficult situation. Playing her made me ask myself certain questions and if I would have made the choices she made. I am grateful for the opportunity and I would do it over again. ‘Thank you’ to the director, Niyi Akinmolayan, the producer, Uduak Oguamanam, and all my co actors, especially Blossom Chukwujekwu and Kunle Remi.

Which would you say brought you to limelight?
‘Knocking on Heaven’s Door’ was my very first film and it went to the cinemas, so that introduced me to the film world. ‘Brave’ also gave me a lot of mileage. The two films created a domino effect within and outside the country. In recent times, I think being nominated at all for these different awards for my performance in ‘Falling’ has also helped with visibility.

In which area would you like to improve as an actor?
A performer that stops improving stops growing. And if you do not grow, there is a risk that you may get complacent. And once you get complacent, the only way is down.  So as an actor, I’m focused on improving in every aspect of the business of performance.

What would your dream role be and what would you bring to it?
Every role is my dream role. I am interested in how flawed humans can be. I am not interested in fairy tales or perfection. I am interested in real people who have flaws and the struggles we face as humans while trying to get through this journey called life.

If you were not an actor, what profession would you have chosen?
Acting is my primary passion. I don’t have a plan B. I am doing the one thing I have wanted to do all my life. This is it. I am very grateful that I get a chance to do this every single day.

What’s that ‘fun fact’ about you that people are not aware of?
I don’t know if this qualifies as a ‘fun fact’ or something that people don’t know: I am left-handed.

Tell us a bit about yourself, educational background, where you grew up and fond memories of your growing up years.
I have two older siblings. I attended Corona Primary School, Victoria Island, Lagos. Then, I went to Queen’s College briefly before relocating to the United Kingdom where I continued my education at the Waverly Girls School in London. From there, I went to the City College in Coventry and finally the University of Wolverhampton. I have diplomas in Performance, Musical Theatre and Physical Theatre. I have a Bachelor’s degree in Performing Arts. Growing up was a well-rounded experience. I was born in Owerri in Imo State. My early years were spent in Lagos and I moved to the United Kingdom when I was 13.

What informed your choice of career as a teenager?
I pretty much knew that I wanted to be a performer well before my teenage years but it took me a little while to pluck the courage to pursue it professionally.

Are you in a relationship?
I give so much of myself away as a performer that it is absolutely important that my private life stays private.

What do you look out for in a man?
He needs to love God, have a great sense of humour and make me laugh. Of course, he needs to be driven and ambitious.

How would you describe your style?
Three words: casual, chic and comfortable.

Who is your role model?
My mother. She is amazing and one of the strongest women I know.

 

CHIOMA ONYENWE – I have always been a storyteller.

As her first feature film, ‘8 Bars and a Clef’ successfully premiered in Lagos over the weekend and got an AMAA nomination for ‘Best Directional Debut’, emerging film maker, Chioma Onyenwe, is no doubt having a career defining moment.
The movie producer and director has a background in Economics and Management from the University of Lagos and Imperial College, London respectively. She has also undertaken film courses at the London Film Academy and Met Film School, London, with interests spanning film, television, online content and documentaries.  Chioma, who is also a Programme Co-ordinator of the Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) and Consultant on Distribution to Genesis Deluxe Cinemas tells us more about her career and more.

How does it feel being nominated for ‘Best Directional Debut’?
It is an exhilarating experience; very encouraging because this movie took over two years to come to fruition.

What is the movie ‘8 Bars and a Clef’ all about? What was directing it like?
‘8 Bars and a Clef’ is a story about a young man who has to overcome a learning defect, a dysfunctional family and an overbearing record label executive in order to achieve his dream of becoming a music superstar. It was a challenging and rewarding experience. I had a good mix of new and experienced actors so I had to navigate through and connect with each one.

As a film maker, what is your assessment of AMAA?
This will be the first time I will be attending AMAA. It’s great to go as a nominee.  AMAA is a great platform for the film industry in Africa at large. It’s an academy system where you are nominated and chosen from a select group of top industry professionals so an AMAA nod is like an industry wide acceptance.

If you have to advise the organisers on the way forward, what would your advice be?
That would be for them to maintain the pedigree of the awards.

How did the journey to making movies begin for you?
I have always been a storyteller. I watched a lot of films and read widely so I always imagined bringing characters to life. I worked as a production assistant during my time in university and once I finished, I made my first web series.

How would you describe your life as a film maker?
It has been a learning experience till date. Every project is different. I have to learn the tricks of the trade, working with different people and, most importantly, how to find and maintain my voice.

For one who has always been in the corporate world, at what point did the love for film making come up?
My interest in film making had always been present through the years. I made some short form content and also took some short film courses. However, the plunge to work in film full time happened after I volunteered at AFRIFF 2013, which gave me a deeper appreciation of the industry.

How difficult was it for you to finance your first movie?
I had a lot of support from family and friends and I also got a grant from Project Act Nollywood, which was a life saver. However, as the film took a while to finish, I had to keep financing till date.

What did you learn the hard way in your career and how did it happen?
I learnt to really work at my pace and not rush any aspect of the production, especially the planning process. It came really with the challenges I faced in post production; it was the result of not putting all the elements in place before day one of shoot.

How stressful is your job? Are you able to maintain a comfortable or healthy work life balance?
My job is a stressful but rewarding endeavour that is project based so I have a cyclical work schedule. This way, I am able to maintain a healthy work-life balance by prioritizing and taking time off when necessary.

What is the most useful piece of advice you have been given?
Never stop learning because life never stops teaching.

What is the greatest challenge of a movie director?
That would be recognising that your main goal is just to steer the ship. Film making is a hugely collaborative effort and the chain is only as strong as the weakest link.

What is the one thing to keep in mind when making a film?
Understand the core of the story so you can keep that through the film and get the best people for the project, cast and crew and enable them to do their best work.

What’s the secret to working with great actors?
Every actor brings a different creative process to your production. It’s important to understand their process and how to facilitate it.

What do you like most about your job?
I like the opportunity to work with different people on different projects so no two days are the same.

When do story ideas usually hit you?
Story ideas come from everywhere; from the environment, from a situation that occurs while just living day-to-day in Lagos, from other people. When a story comes and day in, day out, I can’t stop thinking about it, then it’s worth exploring.

By Yemisi Suleiman