Since popular Yoruba thespian, Kemi Afolabi relocated to Nigeria in 2013 after staying a while in the United Kingdom following a long break, she has continued to dazzle movie lovers with her captivating role interpretation even more than before she left. A graduate of Law from the University of Lagos, Kemi in this interview, speaks on her much anticipated forthcoming movie, a little about herself and challenges of her job.
How do you feel having been away for sometime?
I don’t think I have really missed anything because since I came back, I have taken back my rightful place in the industry. So, it has been so good really. So, being away for that long didn’t affect my career in any way. Of course, when I came back, it was slow. But eventually when it picked up, it has been from one job to the other. To God be the glory.
I don’t think I have really missed anything because since I came back, I have taken back my rightful place in the industry. So, it has been so good really. So, being away for that long didn’t affect my career in any way. Of course, when I came back, it was slow. But eventually when it picked up, it has been from one job to the other. To God be the glory.
What's your new movie project, "Modorisha", all about?
Modorisha is an epic movie. It's historical. It's a project that has been ongoing for a while, but because of the enormity of work involved, I had to really take my time and involved all the necessary hands. It's not something just a few people can do. It's financially overwhelming, and time consuming.
So what's the project all about?
It's about changing the notion people have about thee African culture and staying true to it. It's about staying through to our father's heritage, our tradition and the African culture; staying through to our arts. It's so bad now that most of us are staying through to foreign cultures. We are becoming shy of our cultures and traditions. Some people are even ashamed of speaking in their mother tongues. We can't continue to lose of sense of identity, so I'm launching this project to contribute my own quota by preaching and encouraging the Nigerian and African culture. Modorisha is also an all-female cast.
Could you explain more?
It means there are no males in this movie. There is this adage that whatever a man can do, a woman can do better, so my character in the movie is about a lady who was really in charge as a leader and later fell by misbehaving. I can't be giving off all the details now, but trust me, the script will get you hooked to the edge of your seat. The all-female cast idea was as demanded by the script and storyline. So please, it's not about feminism or all those ideas.
Let's talk about the cast, who are the stars of this movie?
As regards the cast, we have the likes of Peju Ogunmola, Fathia Balogun, Joke Muyiwa, Bimbo Oshin, Fausat Balogun, Tayo Odueke, Liz Da Silva, Foluke Daramola, Doris Simeon, infact the cast is endless. We are featuring over a thousand casts. And most of them are A-grade actresses. When I told you this movie is financially tasking and time consuming, you can now understand what I'm talking about. Imagine bringing over a thousand A-grade Yoruba actresses to location for one movie. So, it's really a huge challenge.
No room for upcoming actresses?
Ofcourse we plan to eventually involve many upcoming stars as well and to that effect, we recently had an audition. I'm someone who believe in giving others a chance, I have a lot of colleagues who run film schools and I could have just avoid the stress of organising an audition by asking my colleagues to supply their students; but I want the really talented and passionate brains out there to turn up. There will definitely be some people out there who are fantastically talented but have no means to showcase their talents. So I'm giving them a chance with my platform. And all this is free. The audition is free,no need to pay a dime. Someone asked me, how much budget will this project gulp, I said I can't disclose now, because there is no way you will shoot a movie without running out of budget. So I told the person, come back after we are done shooting the movie, and I will give you an accurate figure. Yes, you'll have your budget but you can't just be certain, and that's why many people run from movie production while some incur serious debt.
Modorisha is an epic movie. It's historical. It's a project that has been ongoing for a while, but because of the enormity of work involved, I had to really take my time and involved all the necessary hands. It's not something just a few people can do. It's financially overwhelming, and time consuming.
So what's the project all about?
It's about changing the notion people have about thee African culture and staying true to it. It's about staying through to our father's heritage, our tradition and the African culture; staying through to our arts. It's so bad now that most of us are staying through to foreign cultures. We are becoming shy of our cultures and traditions. Some people are even ashamed of speaking in their mother tongues. We can't continue to lose of sense of identity, so I'm launching this project to contribute my own quota by preaching and encouraging the Nigerian and African culture. Modorisha is also an all-female cast.
Could you explain more?
It means there are no males in this movie. There is this adage that whatever a man can do, a woman can do better, so my character in the movie is about a lady who was really in charge as a leader and later fell by misbehaving. I can't be giving off all the details now, but trust me, the script will get you hooked to the edge of your seat. The all-female cast idea was as demanded by the script and storyline. So please, it's not about feminism or all those ideas.
Let's talk about the cast, who are the stars of this movie?
As regards the cast, we have the likes of Peju Ogunmola, Fathia Balogun, Joke Muyiwa, Bimbo Oshin, Fausat Balogun, Tayo Odueke, Liz Da Silva, Foluke Daramola, Doris Simeon, infact the cast is endless. We are featuring over a thousand casts. And most of them are A-grade actresses. When I told you this movie is financially tasking and time consuming, you can now understand what I'm talking about. Imagine bringing over a thousand A-grade Yoruba actresses to location for one movie. So, it's really a huge challenge.
No room for upcoming actresses?
Ofcourse we plan to eventually involve many upcoming stars as well and to that effect, we recently had an audition. I'm someone who believe in giving others a chance, I have a lot of colleagues who run film schools and I could have just avoid the stress of organising an audition by asking my colleagues to supply their students; but I want the really talented and passionate brains out there to turn up. There will definitely be some people out there who are fantastically talented but have no means to showcase their talents. So I'm giving them a chance with my platform. And all this is free. The audition is free,no need to pay a dime. Someone asked me, how much budget will this project gulp, I said I can't disclose now, because there is no way you will shoot a movie without running out of budget. So I told the person, come back after we are done shooting the movie, and I will give you an accurate figure. Yes, you'll have your budget but you can't just be certain, and that's why many people run from movie production while some incur serious debt.
How would you describe the industry right now?
Left to me, the industry is now in a greater position. It’s a lot better than what it used to be. The way I see it now, we’re going places.
But almost all your colleagues agree that there is not much profit in movie production at the moment due to piracy which has almost destroyed the system…
Yes, that’s because our copyright is being tampered with. But with the new position of President Muhammadu Buhari on piracy, I believe things are going to get better.
The public impression is that some of your colleagues are now into glorified prostitution as a result of the dwindling fortunes of the profession. What’s your take on that?
I am not aware of that, and can’t speak for anyone about that. But to the best of my knowledge we have a whole lot of people coming into the industry now from different backgrounds. We have a lot of beautiful people among us. So, I am not aware of what you said.
A lot of actresses have veered into various businesses, which business do you intend venturing into?
Not for now. I am a full time actress.
But the belief is that because things are not working out fine, that makes a lot of your colleagues become shop owners?
I don’t believe that. It depends on your category in the industry. No matter how bad it is, some of us who are in the A-list category are still finding a way around it.
That means you can’t veer into any other business at all?
Yes, I don’t want to. And if at all I want to do anything of that nature, it will have to do with filming, not any other profession. I only like to know and learn more about the profession, not any other business at all. I really enjoy being an entertainer.
What more do you want the present administration to do to help the industry?
They should just help fight and conquer piracy. It’s the only thing affecting us a lot. If Mr. President can do that for us, it’s going to be a pleasure ride for all of us. The movie industry contributes to Nigeria's economy immensely and it is the best tool to launder Nigeria's image, so it's worth all the attention of Mr. President.
What are the main responsibilities of a good actress?
A good actress must be able to interpret any role to the delight of her fans. She must interpret whichever role she is called upon in a way that viewers would fall in love with it.
Left to me, the industry is now in a greater position. It’s a lot better than what it used to be. The way I see it now, we’re going places.
But almost all your colleagues agree that there is not much profit in movie production at the moment due to piracy which has almost destroyed the system…
Yes, that’s because our copyright is being tampered with. But with the new position of President Muhammadu Buhari on piracy, I believe things are going to get better.
The public impression is that some of your colleagues are now into glorified prostitution as a result of the dwindling fortunes of the profession. What’s your take on that?
I am not aware of that, and can’t speak for anyone about that. But to the best of my knowledge we have a whole lot of people coming into the industry now from different backgrounds. We have a lot of beautiful people among us. So, I am not aware of what you said.
A lot of actresses have veered into various businesses, which business do you intend venturing into?
Not for now. I am a full time actress.
But the belief is that because things are not working out fine, that makes a lot of your colleagues become shop owners?
I don’t believe that. It depends on your category in the industry. No matter how bad it is, some of us who are in the A-list category are still finding a way around it.
That means you can’t veer into any other business at all?
Yes, I don’t want to. And if at all I want to do anything of that nature, it will have to do with filming, not any other profession. I only like to know and learn more about the profession, not any other business at all. I really enjoy being an entertainer.
What more do you want the present administration to do to help the industry?
They should just help fight and conquer piracy. It’s the only thing affecting us a lot. If Mr. President can do that for us, it’s going to be a pleasure ride for all of us. The movie industry contributes to Nigeria's economy immensely and it is the best tool to launder Nigeria's image, so it's worth all the attention of Mr. President.
What are the main responsibilities of a good actress?
A good actress must be able to interpret any role to the delight of her fans. She must interpret whichever role she is called upon in a way that viewers would fall in love with it.
