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| Amaka Igwe |
An independent film
producer, writer, director and founder of Amaka Igwe Studios , Late Mrs. Amaka
Igwe is one of the pioneers like Kenneth Nnebue and Zeb Ejiro, who began the film
production in Nigeria in the early 1990s on celluloid, which metamorphosed to
what is now known as Nollywood.
She was a woman of
great repute, talented, creative, resourceful, respected and influential with
an intimidating physique. She produced many box office movies and soaps such as:
Rattle Snake, Adanma, Violated 1&2, Forever, Checkmate and the popular
sitcom, Fuji House of Commotion which run on many television stations.
Mrs. Igwe, Nee
Isaac Ene, celebrated 21st marriage anniversary last week in Enugu
and began production on her new Igbo soap before she died of asthma attack on
Monday night, April 28, 2014.
Born on January 2,
1963, she died at the age of 51.
In this interview sometime ago with ADA DIKE,
the veteran film-maker, bared her mind on wide range of issues such as: Nigerian
film Nigeria, her project “Best of Best Television (BOBTV), piracy and so on.
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What is your view about the Nigerian film industry,
Nollywood?
The Nigerian film
industry is something that gives one joy when I think about it because it came
from the sweat of a few people. It makes me cry when I look at it now because
it has been destroyed by majority of people who do not understand anything
about how we started or how it should go, more especially, by the noise-makers
who parade themselves as the industry’s big-wigs but have no ideas. If you
asked them to make a film, you will not like to buy their films. They go to
events and make the loudest noise. They are not knowledgeable. The people who
used their hard-earned money to start the industry have this same problem, but
they are quiet because these so-called big-wigs have messed it up. Even the
marketers have the same problem because of this group of people who lie and
cheat and when you give them money to make films, they will use it to marry new
wives or build houses.
When you look at
what is happening, you will notice that we had not finished putting the
structure in place before they came with all kinds of lies. Some of us had to
give way for them. So it is bitter sweetened. I am happy and sad.
Is the Nigerian film industry a ripe market or is it
plagued with challenges that are hindering its improvement?
Of course, definitely.
The main problem with our movie industry right now is marketing. We have
everything except marketing. So it is either we develop it because that’s how
it is done everywhere in the world. It is like a trade fair, producers also
sell their movies. That is where you publicize new things, share ideas and
network. People get to know one another and so on.
We are ripe for
such a market because if it is done well, it becomes a drive for tourism.
During some editions of BOBTV, People came from Kenya, America, Botswana,
Ghana, Sierra Leone, Brazil, Germany and other countries, and it has become
bigger and people from different countries have been coming to Nigeria and
spend their money. The thing is that it does not happen overnight. It’s little
by little.
People from
America have been coming including sponsors from Hollywood. We have people from
Brazil to tap from our already visible broadcast environment. We also have our
own local stations that are ready to sponsor dinner. We have music festival
that will open the event. So things are going on already and a lot of sponsors
are coming on board. We have Adobe and Sony who have featured heavily. The
university challenge is bigger now due to what happened at the past editions.
These are people
who want to build the capacity of this market.
Are you satisfied with viewer’s response to your sitcom,
“Fuji House of commotion@?
I am not satisfied
yet with the production because I am an artiste. No artiste is ever satisfied.
It is going to be better and I am working very hard towards that. People should
watch out for the next quarter because we are coming out with something new and
different. I am working very hard with the support of all my clients who have
kept that programme on for many years.
What is BOBTV all about?
It is a film and
television market where people have access to quality films and quality TV
programmes. It is a place where people who want to buy Nigerian movies for
distribution can come. We also train and try to do capacity building. We bring
new ideas from
experts around the world to teach people what is going on.
Do you have a role model in the film industry?
I don’t have any.
Do you have philosophy of life?
To be the best I
can be. That is what my father thought me. In fact, that is the philosophy of
the family. Even my big sister, who’s a vice chancellor in London, United
Kingdom has the same idea too. All of us aspire to be the best we can be in
life.
How do you relax when you are not working?
I read, watch a
lot of films and travel a lot.
What kind of cosmetics do you use?
I use anyone
people give me. I also buy any type I feel that is good and use.
What is your favourite meal?
Right now, there
is confusion between rice and pounded yam. Any of the two is preferable,
depending on the stew or soup. I like Nigerian soups like Uha, Nsala and
others.
Where did you meet your husband?
No comment.
What does style mean to you?
I appreciate people with style. Style is just
a general way of life. It is not all about cloth, it also has to do with
lifestyle and the way you conduct yourself.
What do you have passion for?
I have passion for
God and the word of God. I have passion for life and the attitude of people.
Nigerians need a change of attitude, their lifestyle and the way they think.
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