By David Ajiboye

“I made Blood Diamond in Sierra Leone.”

Teco Benson, Nollywood’s film director of repute, is just one of the few Nigerian film directors who have had the opportunity of working outside the shores of Nigeria, a rare opportunity his hard work and experience in churning out first class movies provided. Noted for his knack for action movies, Taco, an avid critic of the failings of Nollywood, maintains that one of the biggest problems in Nollywood is that it parades mediocre in the mold of professionals. He spoke with AfricanMovieStar. com on this and other issues. Excerpts.

On Nollywood, celluloid format and international film standard.

In Nigeria, we make our film on video because the films are only watched in the homes. It doesn’t make sense making a film on celluloid and at the end of the day you still transfer it to DVD.  When the cinema culture died, what was known as the first film industry, which solely fed the cinema sector died too.

The attitude of the typical Nigerian man apparently protecting his family for fear of getting corrupt  or being attacked by armed robbers also contributed immensely in killing the cinema culture. Thus, Nigerians saw the advantage of television and decided to start making movies on video with the coming of VCR. They realized that they can actually shoot these films and sell them on video compact discs and cassettes.

All the cinema houses in Nigeria died and got converted  to churches and some of them to warehouses. You see people are having false impression about Hollywood. My last movie was done in 35mm and that’s the highest. Next to that is HD which is aiming to take over in the next five years. George Lucas shot on HD and  a lot of people are doing HD. Steven Spielberg is contemplating making his film on High Definition.

HD is virtually the future of film in the world. I’ve made a future film on celluloid and I am planning another one on 35mm which is the film I said I was making for the international market.

Any plan to relocate to Hollywood?

I am not desperate about going to Hollywood to shoot. Though I would have enjoyed working in their well  equipped studios because it will in no small way enhance the input in the kind of movies I am noted for, that is action films. Everything I would need to come up with a blockbuster action movie are on ground there. Here we struggle because of the technology gap. We use the little we have to achieve what we have been able to achieve.

In the movie King Kong, the machine that was installed inside the animal had a remote control which controls the mouth and all parts of the body. If they wants him to open his mouth, they use remote control. I tell you the truth, I believe in this country, I don’t believe I have to run away or travel out of this country for my film to make meaning. Can you see the machines that we use here, we can’t even create ordinary razor blade. That’s the only thing I enjoy when I get there. I can stay here and make a movie if I get the support. I can get all the experts that will help me achieve the technical support.

My own vision is not to go to America to make movies because they are jealous, they are so protective of their industry, that is why it was difficult in the past for any film from other countries to win the Oscars Award.

“THE ONLY ROLE I CANNOT PLAY IS THE ROLE OF A WOMAN” -OSITA INEME

David Ajeboye, entertainment reporter for the Nigeria Tribune, Nigeria’s Entertainment Reporter of the Year, staff reporter for AfricanMovieStar.com holds his first interview since he joined the staff

Pint-sized actor Osita Iheme has come a long way in the Nigerian movie business popularly called Nollywood. Together with his acting mate, Chenedu Ikedieze, they have taken the Nigerian movie industry to the next level with their acting prowess. In this interview, Pawpaw, as he’s popularly known, opens up on how it all began, his sex life, his kind of woman and movies generally. Excerpts:

What made you think you could act?

I love acting and I believe I could do well. God and my family supported me spiritually, emotionally and morally. That was why I decided to act.

If you were not an actor, what would you have been?

I believe God would have provided another thing for me to do. It could have been anything.

You had this captivating grip on people when you came on the scene. What do you think was responsible for that?

I would say we all have unique features at creation. I believe I’m different and peculiar. I believe God made me different so that I would stand out from the crowd wherever I am. I believe that is why I look catchy; you know, being a particular person, everything you do attracts other people.

You speak better English than most people in your industry. Did you learn that in school or through personal development?

Even one’s time in secondary school has to do with personal development. So it is a result of my time in school and personal development.

How many movies have you done?

I have over 80 movies to my credit.

Has that made you a millionaire?

I’m comfortable. I can’t say if I’m a millionaire or billionaire.

Is it true you charge over N500,000?

I charge whatever I think is okay for me.

Who is helping you spend the money?

Family, my God and myself help me spend the money. And I thank God I’m doing well.

Since one cannot be on the scene forever, what do you hope to do when you leave acting?

I’ll continue to act all through my life. I don’t pray to leave acting. Even if I do other things, I will continue to act. Acting does not have an age limit. I can still act at 100.

What other things do you do aside acting?

I model. I’m sure you’ve seen one or two of them. I also do some businesses outside entertainment.

We never knew you could dance until we saw you on the stage of African Movie Academy Awards.

As a showbiz guy, one is supposed to be versatile; and as an actor, you will always act. Dancing is actually in me and I believe that I can do well. Before the issue of everybody singing, I wanted to sing; I left my music in the studio, so I am cooling down till the craze of actors’ singing passes. I know it is part of my future. I don’t want to release everything I have now.

Why did it take you so long to break away from the comedy roles to start playing mature roles?

You know in the Nigerian film industry, marketers continue to use you for the same role you play in a blockbuster film. What happened was that comedy brought us to the limelight and everybody wanted us to do comedy for them and we were shooting comedy because we were seeing the money. We were carried away seeing that kind of money coming to us, so we did not mind that kind of job. After a long time, I decided to repackage myself to come out with a good image. It doesn’t mean we don’t do comedy again. If you bring a very good script, I will do it, not the mischievous act of Aki and Paw Paw you used to know.

How did you get to participate in your first movie?

My first movie was Cold Blood in 2001. I went for an audition and they saw my physique. It’s like what I said about everybody’s uniqueness; that played an important role in my case. That audition was in Aba. My first lead role was in Aki na Ukwa. That was the movie that brought Chinedu and I together and that was in 2003.

Do you think your kind of actor would continue to sell since you said you would act for as long as you are able to?

Of course I still have a lot to showcase. I have not expended all I have. Stories are different so you will have to play different roles. I believe I will continue to sell. I don’t carry myself anyhow and I manage myself well. If I see this is not working for me, I withdraw and repackage myself. This is my profession so I take it very serious. I don’t do it for doing sake. I went to New York Film Academy to study on the job. I paid almost $5,000 as school fees. I can’t go to all that length and misbehave. I present myself in a way that would suit the public.

Is there any role you cannot play?

The only role I cannot play is the role of a mother because I’m not a woman. I can play any other role.

Will your deep involvement in films not prevent you from furthering your education?

No. Right now, I’m seeking admission into the University of Lagos or University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and by September this year, I would be there.

Someone told us you don’t have the neccessary O’level qualification.

It’s a lie! Tell the person it’s a lie. I have my O’level complete.

What do you hope to study at the University?

I hope to study law. Though I’m a science student, I’ve wanted to do law, so right now, I’m out for it.

We learned women don’t give you a breathing space.

It is not that they don’t give me a breathing space. What happens is that they cherish my acting; it is like every star. Your fans cherish you and appreciate your work. So it is not that they don’t let me rest, they simply like my movies.

Do you like girls?

When God created Adam he created Eve as well, so if I like girls I don’t think it is a bad thing.

Have you heard of anyone before?

No.

Do you have a girl friend?

Sorry that is personal.

Is it true you are a virgin?

Wonderful question, but that is too personal. Anyway, how do you know a virgin?

Okay, when did you get deflowered?

I didn’t say if I’m a virgin or not, that is too personal.

When will you get married?

When God says, ‘my friend it is time to marry’ I will go for it.

Let’s say something like five years’ time?

I don’t know, anytime God says yes, even if it is 20 years he will direct me which way to go.

Does it embarrass you when people think you are a small boy?

No, not at all.

What if they say you are too short?

No, if I do, that means I’m questioning God.

So you like the way you are.

I’m proud with the way I am.

Do you agree with those who feel whosoever will want to marry you would do so because of money?

I will not go for that kind of girl. Like I said God will tell me who and when.

What will you like to tell your fans?

I want to say thank you for making me stay on, and I want to say too that wherever you are, take that bold step, don’t shy away from the crowd; believe in yourself and do things for yourself.