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‘Ghanaians are paying us back in our own coin’

No, I am not. But every other person is a political being. Not too long ago a building collapsed here in Abuja and left many…

No, I am not. But every other person is a political being. Not too long ago a building collapsed here in Abuja and left many dead with some injured. Such a happenstance cannot be overlooked like something that occurs on a daily basis. It is somebody’s job to supervise the construction of buildings in Nigeria. So, if I or any other Nigerian speaks out on how best governance can be brought to the people, it should not surprise you.

Does this mean that you desire for artistes to be more concerned about promoting good governance?
Every single Nigerian, not just artistes, ought to pay attention to how government carries out its duties. There is no way you can be in a country and government policies will not affect you.  Even if the person does not step out of his or her house, the policies of government will touch the person. How then can you not be interested in what the man in government does and speak out against it when need be?
Will you contest for public office?
I don’t see myself contesting for public office, even if I am conscripted. From what I see, it is difficult for people in office to say the truth. We have people who are credible but once they get into office they change completely. Most politicians behave like they are cult members sworn to an oath which stops them from going against the dictates of a cult master. What I mean is that they owe their allegiance to those who have given them money and instructed them on what to tell the public as against what is true. It is as if majority of our politicians have agreed to see no truth, hear no truth and speak no truth. At best what I will do is support pressure groups who speak out against corruption and other ills debarring Nigeria from progressing. I know people often complain that decent people stay away from politics while dubious characters reign supreme. But I just can’t play politics the way it is done in Nigeria. It is selection, not election, that takes place in the country.
Does this mean you don’t belong to any political party?
I don’t and I have no plans of belonging to one.
What kinds of leaders do you advise Nigerians to vote for come 2011?
People should follow their conscience. People know those who work daily to provide for their families. We also know those who are behind evil crimes being committed across the country like kidnapping. So, why should a voter risk his or her future by voting for candidates with questionable character? Voters know those who truly have the interest of the people at heart, not pretenders. So, people should vote accordingly for candidates that will fulfill their election promises. It is really sad that the country is almost becoming a one-party state where everybody wants to belong to the ruling party. Look at our lawmakers okaying cross-carpeting. Such actions are disheartening.
But, critics say Nollywood films glamorize some of the societal ills you have condemned.
The stories Nollywood films tell are reflective of what happens in society. Are you saying that the things you see in Nigerian films are not happening in real life? I played a role in the movie Billionaires Club and a friend of mine who is a High Court judge called me to complain. Having followed my career, he expressed dismay that I could accept to play the role of a wealthy cultist. I told him that the film is only a reflection of things happening almost on a daily basis. 
As if I knew what was going to happen, months later, I paid the judge a visit. I stayed in his guest house. A young porter making way for the trailer he works with suddenly noticed that there was a mutilated female corpse being loaded into a car at a house close to the judge’s guest house. He raised an alarm, the men with the corpse fled the scene and soon a crowd gathered. At the end of the day I asked my friend why I should not produce a film based on what I witnessed. He expressed fear that if I make the film people might trace the story to his neighborhood, since it is based on a true story.
But, do you think that Nigerian filmmakers can still do more about sensitizing the public through their works?
Yes, I do. The soap opera, The Patriots, tells the story of how Professor Dora Akunyili fought the battle against drug counterfeiting. Though government and NAFDAC carried out a nationwide campaign to sensitize the public on the dangers of fake drugs and the evil perpetuated by those who sell these products, The Patriots has further exposed the illicit trade. But the problem is that films like these often don’t get sponsors. I have a proposal on a film about the Nigerian police which was approved by the former Inspector-General of Police, Sir Mike Okiro. But I am yet to get sponsors to finance the film.   
What informs your decision on role acceptance?
I consider my moral codes, my family and my standing in society. I have been very selective. I was meant to be a reverend father. Unfortunately, I ended up with other callings. My father gave me a strict Christian upbringing. He was a village head and a Customary Court judge. I know some of the things he detests and he told me to stay away from.
I am not criticizing my colleagues who accept to play the roles of sugar daddies. But I do not see myself accepting to play that character. I have turned down artiste fees because I discovered that I have to play sugar daddy to a girl young enough to be my daughter.
If I suggest to the filmmaker how we can get around romantic scenes with young girls and he insists on it going his way, I refund his money. I remember once I had a long talk with my youngest son because he watched No nonsense where I was forced to carry her out after which I ordered my body guards to throw out Patience Ozokwor’s character because she was a nagging wife. My son now asked why I fought a woman after I warned him never to be involved in a fight. So, as a father, I mind the kind of roles I take on. I have a name to protect.
What is your take on sex scenes, homosexuality and some other vices associated with Nollywood?
I am against these things you have mentioned. My refusal of certain roles is a personal decision. This does not mean that those who accept to play roles through which these vices will be exposed should be criticized. This is because such things happen in society as a whole, not just in the movie industry.
You must be very wealthy to turn down these roles.
Oh, yes, I have; because most times when producers hold meetings to select their casts, though my name is mentioned, they express worry that I may turn down the role. They often would say “Bruno Iwuoha is too selective”. But I have no regrets.
Is this why you have resorted to augmenting your earnings in Nollywood with income from other sources?
If I rely on film production alone I will beg for help. This is why I source for contracts and other things to provide for my family.
How did you get into acting?
I have spent ten years in the industry. I was a contractor with the then NAFCON in Port-Harcourt. I returned to Aba where I live with my family. There, I received a letter from Ndubuisi Okoh, one of the best directors around. He wanted a natural grey-haired man. He said Christopher Agulu told him about me. This is how I got into acting and I have remained in the industry till now.
Ten years on, would you say you made the right decision to join Nollywood?
Yes, I will. Within my community many have indicated interest in joining the movie industry because they see how it has impacted my life. Many people have asked their children to meet with me so that they can get into Nollywood. Aside from the little investments I have made in the community from what I made from acting, they admire the way I go about doing my business, my lifestyle and the fact that acting is one business you don’t need capital to kick-start.
How do you cope with fans, especially the women?
I must confess that sometimes the attention from fans is overwhelming. But whenever it seems that I am beginning to get irritated, I search my soul and I tell myself that I achieved fame by the help of God. It is not by my personal efforts that I am a famous person. Besides, the fans are the ones who make the artiste popular. If they don’t talk about you or buy your films, there is no success.
What is the craziest thing a fan has done to you?
It happened at Ogbete market where I dropped off to buy fruits on my way back from a movie location.  Immediately, a woman eating moi-moi with her hands saw me, she rushed and touched my head. She happily said she had confirmed that my grey hair is not fake. I almost lost my temper but told myself ‘this is the price I have to pay for being a celebrity.’ I even had to beg those who gathered around not to scold her. She gave me water to rinse my hair and I took the next taxi back to my hotel.
Did you leave your hair this way to create an image for yourself?
Not really. My kind of hair comes naturally to my family. My twin daughters at 15 already have white hair strands.
Who are the actors you admire?
Before I came into the industry I admired Pete Edoche and Olu Jacobs. I love the way these men carry themselves. I like the manner in which they interpret their roles.
Have you had low moments in your career?
Yes, but it is always momentary. Like when I give advice on how to move things forward and people ignore it. Other than that I have no regrets.
What is your take on the ‘Ghanaian invasion’ into Nollywood and the levy placed on Nigerian movie makers wishing to sell their films in their country?
I am someone who sees opportunities in challenges. I like challenges. All I see is an opportunity for the Nigerian movie industry to recreate itself. Ghana looked back at the time when Nigeria deported its citizens. It was that period that the big bag used to carry money was christened “Ghana Must Go.” Now, they are paying us back in our own coin.
As far as I know, we thought Ghanaians how to make films. I stand to be corrected. But we became complacent and they have become masters. If you go to Ghana to shoot a film everybody will support you any how they can. But here in Nigeria producers pay through the nose to use locations. Government never bothered about curbing piracy which is the country’s biggest challenge.
A filmmaker spends millions to produce a film, sends it out to the market and before you know it, it is pirated. Yet, government will not do anything to help filmmakers. Why won’t Ghana tax Nigerian filmmakers? They are not like us who don’t know how to manage their economy. In fact, Cameroun will soon join Ghana in taxing our filmmakers because they know they will make money from it. We have to put our house in order and stop complaining.  
How do you spend your free time?
When I am not doing business or at movie locations I return to Aba where my family resides. I make sure that I take my family to church. I also teach them the way of the Lord.

 

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