Celebrated actress and filmmaker, Funke Akindele, has given an insight into the intrinsic idea behind the new five-part series – ‘She Must Be Obeyed,’ saying it was created to stop bullying in the entertainment sector and educate young and upcoming artists on how to navigate the minefields in the industry.
She spoke in an interview in Lagos during the global premier of the five-part mini-series delving into the intriguing world of stardom & secrets.
The series which features a stellar cast led by Funke Akindele herself, Lateef Adedimeji, Nancy Isime, Akah Anani, Patience Ozokwo, Mike Ezuronye, Rachael Okonkwo, among others, was released exclusively on Prime Video from Friday September 29, 2023.
Essentially, as witnessed at the preview of the mini-series in Lagos Wednesday night, it is certain that Amazing Prime Video continues its tradition of providing enlivening content with ‘SHE Must Be Obeyed’ as its latest offering.
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According to the film making organisation, Amazon Prime Video, the series offers a window into the lives of three successful music stars, unveiling the cut-throat rivalries and backstabbing activities they engage in, all in an effort to outshine one another and protect their top positions in the game.
It was an evening of elegance, radiance and colour as artists and select guests converged on the popular Film House in Lagos for the premier during which one of the episodes was screened.
Akindele in her characteristic manner played the lead role of SHE with a view to vividly portraying the character of SHE, what she represents and her ruthlessness in crushing any obstacle on her way.
She said the story was created eight years ago but it evolved three years ago, adding she decided to make it a series “because I want you to watch a lot and I want you to enjoy it and learn a lot from it.”
She said, “SHE Must be Obeyed is all about a character called SHE and how she want to remain at the top not minding whoever is hurt, not minding who is trampled upon. SHE, the character, is very condescending, a bully and narcissist and we have a lot of bullies in the entertainment industry too. In any sector you have bullies everywhere as long as there is hierarchy.
“She Must be Obeyed is centered on the competition in the music industry and we decided to work on Afro beat which is from Nigeria and Africa and we have to export what we have. So, in She Must Be Obeyed, you get to see competition, you get to see drama, you get to see fashion, you get to see music, all these put into one.
“We had to showcase what young and upcoming talents go through. They are very hungry to be seen, they want to showcase their contract but unfortunately they do not study their contract. They do not get a lawyer to read it, they do not get a family member experienced to read it, to educate them because all these things affect them and at the end of the day you get to sign a wrong contract. So you get all these in SHE Must Be Obeyed. We came up with She Must Be Obeyed because of young artists, when they watch it, they will learn.”
The entertainer reiterated that the industry and the practitioners remain one despite the various competitions, saying at every point in time the competition must be kept healthy.
She emphasised the need for young artists to always study their contracts before appending their signatures on anything.
“You will learn a lot from this movie. I just have one thing to say. We are all one, yes competitions will come, in every industry there will be competition, but please keep it healthy.
“And for the young and upcoming artists, please study your contract. We, too, study your contract before you append your signature.
“Young artists need to be educated. We need to organise a lot of seminars, workshop, to let them know that they are very important. Yes, you would be seen but you have to go through the right lane. So that is what I have been able to achieve with She Must Be Obeyed.”
On what she learnt from the movie, the actress added, “I learnt a lot of things. I wrote it as the head writer. I created it and I want a lot of people to learn. Personally I learnt a lot of patience, I tried my best to be patient but after watching the five episodes, I thought of it that once you are in the limelight, you have to be patient.
“My Mum would advise that you have to be careful. A lot of stones would be thrown at you but you have to be careful, you have to be patient and remember that all eyes are on you. You have to keep smiling, you have to raise your head up.”
