The Model in Lilian Bach of Nollywood

For her profile, check her web site on this link

Q: How are you different from the Lilian Bach we see in movies?
I’m very sure the Lilian Bach you’re seeing is different from the one you see in movies. This is because, I’m only interpreting the roles assigned me. However, I’m simple and down-to-earth. I don’t have any air of pretence about men, I do my job as an actress and interpret my roles to the best of my abilities. I play different roles in movies, like a wayward lady, funny housewife, a devoted housewife, a schoolgirl, etc. I’ve actually played many characters, but the real me is simple and God-fearing.

Q: Have you at anytime played a role that accurately depicts the real you?
I can’t remember, because I have played so many roles. So it is difficult for me to say. May be when I get home and search through the movies I have acted, I will be able to know the ones I acted something close to what I am in real life. But for now, it is very difficult for me to say.

Q: People believe it’s your beauty, more than anything else, that gave you the Nollywood breakthrough.

People can say what they like. The’re entitled to their opinions. I was in India some weeks back and was watching CNN. They were interviewing a lady who is one of the reigning stars of Bollywood. She just did a movie with Jackie Chan and the journalist asked her: ‘people say it is your sexy look that got you to the top’. I was really impressed with the answer the lady gave. She said Jackie Chan used his muscles to get to where he is, so if her sexy looks got her to the top, what is wrong with that? If people see that I have a light complexion and therefore I’m fit for a particular role, what is the problem about it? Even if you have the physique and you can’t interpret the role properly, you won’t be given any role. So, for them to have given me roles means I have the qualities and I give God the glory.

Q: So, what will you say actually brought you to limelight?
I don’t know because I started as a model, so I’ve always been in the limelight. I started modelling when it was no big deal here, when it was just gradually gaining ground, just as some people began acting before home videos gained ground. I’ve always been in the limelight, but I’m a quiet person, I’m not a noise-maker, I’m a silent achiever, so I can’t say this is what brought me to limelight.

Q: What makes you different from other actresses?

Yeah, we have a lot of actresses, and the sky is so big for every bird to fly without having accidents in the air. That’s the way I see it. What makes me different is that I guess I have my own ways and I’m sure my fans, directors and producers who have been using me for jobs in Nollywood know what makes me different or may be when it comes to some certain roles, they know I can handle them better. I really don’t know that special thing about me, but it’s left to those who’ve been using me to say that thing is special about this girl. I just know I’m one of the talented people in Nollywood. Each of us has what distinguishes her from the other. I just know I have been able to play different roles, I’ve not been sterotyped to play one particular role, I’ve found myself playing all kinds of roles.

Q: What kind of roles do you enjoy playing most?

Acting itself is just like playing, and you’re been paid. I enjoy every role given to me, so I can’t say this is the one I enjoy playing most. I’m still looking forward to more challenging roles which I have not played. I want to play the role of a blind woman, I want to play the role of an old woman, it is possible with good make up. Those are the kind of roles I’m looking forward to.

Q: Tell us about your experience in Nollywood?

It has not been easy, I must tell you. The way to the top is not always easy. I’ve been discouraged many times, but the love of the job keeps pulling me back. It’s been so good and at the same time, there have been ups and downs along the line. For example, when I started in 1997, you won’t believe I wasn’t paid for the first two movies I did. I just said ‘is this how the so-called Nollywood is’?. At times, you see or hear some things that could discourage you, or actually discourage you. But then, I’ve learnt that you just have to turn deaf ears if you want to remain in the acting world. You pretend that you’re not hearing anything at all. Is it what your colleagues who are not happy about you say or what you read about yourself in the papers that are not true? I believe if others are surviving such criticism, I too can survive it.

Q: How do you really feel when actors are smooching you on set?

They are not smooching for fun, they are acting their roles. There is nothing to it at all. If you’re given a role to play, you just have to play it perfectly, to convince your viewers. So I don’t see anything wrong in people smooching themselves on set, according to you. As far as you are doing your job, and not just smooching out of set. They are smooching because the role demands them to smooch. As for me, I interpret my role and character. If the role says smooch, we have a way to smooch so it is not something indecent and that’s where it ends.

Q: But an actress once said some actors go the extra-mile in interpreting the role?
I have never experienced such a thing. I guess it has to do with whoever is playing with whoever. A professional is always a professional. I’m not saying that there are no people that go the extra-mile to interpret their roles, but I’ve never experienced it because when I’m doing my job, I’m strictly doing my job. If I want to do romance or play funny, it won’t be when I’m doing my work.

Q: Don’t you sometimes get carried away when touched in a sensitive part of your body by an actor?

What sensitive part are you talking about? I haven’t seen people going beyond kissing in movies. Anyway, different things turn different people on, but as for me, when I’m working, my brain is telling me I’m working. I don’t get carried away by anything. I think it has to do with the structure of your mind and brain. Some people are not disciplined and they are careless and useless when it comes to simple touch or whatever it is. That is when they can get carried away, but I’m a disciplined person. May be some people have been admiring each other before and when they meet on set, they see it as an opportunity to express whatever feelings they have for each other.

Q: What is the reason behind your recent trip to India?

I went for Indian Broadcast 2005. It’s about some exhibitions. I think it’s something that holds every year. We were supposed to be greater in number for the trip, but some people backed out for one reason or the other. For me, I love anything I will gain from. It was an official trip really, a lot of people came from all over the world to exhibit the latest technology in film making. We saw the latest cameras, different kinds of recording equipment and all that. That’s what I went for: to see how the industry is developing out there. I learned from the trip that there is another ‘acting industry’ in South India called Tollywood. I was surprised because I’d never heard of Tollywood before and I heard they have the biggest studio in the whole world, which is even bigger than Hollywood. Due to insufficient time, because I spent five days, we couldn’t visit Tollywood to see things for ourselves. I also learnt about a HDB camera that people are going for now. You can actually transfer to 3-5 ML converter for cinema viewing, so I came back with a lot of brochures of the latest cameras. I saw a lot of new equipment that we’ve not been using here in Nigeria.

Q: How do you see the quality of films we have in Nollywood compared to Hollywood and Bollywood?

To be honest, in terms of quality, we haven’t arrived yet. But we have good stories. Quality is our problem now. We can as well do better if we try to use some of those equipment. I even discovered that some of those equipment are not expensive, it’s what people can come together to buy, an individual can even purchase some of these equipment. It’s just that standard and quality that we have not achieved. Afterall, the actors in Hollywood and Bollywood are human like us, so I don’t see what they’re doing that we cannot do. We are even better than some of them in terms of acting, directing or producing. What is killing us is the penchant for cutting corners and that won’t do us any good. When you spend money on a production, it’s always better than when you cut corners. The major barrier we have is to stop producing wishy washy films, we should try to use these latest cameras and all that, so that people will stop complaining about our works. Another problem is that Nollywood is not united. A house divided against itself will never stand. Anyway, may be these things are happening because we are just growing. It’s high time we stopped crawling, we need to walk, and for us to walk, we have to do away with the ugly things. We know what is right for the industry to grow. No more wishy washy films, use the right cameras, no more cutting corners, if the budget of a production says N5 million, go ahead and do it. Some are actually afraid of piracy but I can tell you these things can be curbed if we are united.

Q: What is your interest in music?

I’m a singer, I have an album that I have cooked up for about four years now which I’m yet to release. I don’t want to be referred to as having joined the bandwagon. I’m a very patient person, I like to take my time on whatever I’m doing. People were just fortunate to see one or two tracks out of the six tracks, and that is the Makossa track that talks about marriage. But I’ve got some superb tracks, like hip hop and other genres in the album, which people have not heard. It’s a Christian gospel music because that’s my calling. As time goes on, I will make up my mind on when to release it, I’m not in a hurry or under any pressure because I’m not doing it to make money but to win souls for God.

Q: You’re still single, I’ve heard you saying once that it’s because you’ve not met Mr. Right. Have there not been pressures from your family?

I’m not from that kind of family, nobody is putting any pressure on anybody, so I thank God for that. In my family, my mother respects everybody’s opinion and feelings about life. I will let you know when it is time. I’ve not changed from the Lilian Bach I used to be. I appreciate the media in terms of their encouragement and good publicity. Without you journalists, some people will never know us. Some of the new movies I did are not yet out, so you guys should just watch out.

I'm reading: The Model in Lilian Bach of Nollywood

Getting to Know More of Chiege Alisigwe of Nollywood

CHIEGE Alisigwe Ebbe could have been an acclaimed athlete. But perhaps she was not destined to be one. Fate had something else in stock for her: she became an actress, a tube goddess, one of the beauties that make Nollywood tick.

In early days at school, the Orlu Imo-State born Chiege was athletic champion for many years and would have gladly represented Enugu State at an earlier edition of the National Sports Festival, but for the politics of state of origin, which deprived her of that opportunity. That ended her dream of being a top athlete.

She gave acting a serious thought after her studies at the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT) Enugu, where she studied Fine and Applied Arts. An encounter with a family friend who was then a recognisable face in the movie industry provided the break. She had expressed the desire to do some serious acting to the family friend who informed her of an audition exercise at the Hotel Presidential in Enugu.

After her first role as Agu's wife in 'Igbodo' she soon got a lead role in the epic movie 'Oganigwe'.

She has since featured in over 60 home videos. Some producers have thought that Chiege would not last in the industry when she came in. They had thought she was a flash in the pan that would run out in no time.

But almost six years after, she is still waxing stronger in Nollywood, determined, she says, to prove that she is into acting good.

Chiege used to be married with a baby. She says her husband saw her on the screen, and that was how the attraction started. "He was so persistent until I decided one day to honour his date. But much later I discovered that his dad and mine were very good friends when they were young," she recalls her encounter with the love of her life.

She says she married early because she believes that there is respect in being married. "I know some people always ask why I married. I wanted it early because I believe when you are married you are more respected. I don't believe that a woman should remain single for the better part of her youth. Marriage attracts respect and it doesn't make you a lesser actress."
On Nollywood she says: "We must begin to get people to specialise. I am an advocate for specialisation. Produce only if you are a producer, direct only if you are a director. People should be able to specialise, that way they would become masters of their arts."

Some Chiege movies includes End of Dream, End of Money, Once a Soldier, Message, Traditional Marriage, My Portfolio, Sadist, Under Fire etc

Nigeria movies
The Nigerian movie industry has come a long way. We have tried to hue water out of stone. It has grown so much. There are several things that are not going well but I must tell you, it is so far, so good. It is not what it used to be but we have moved forward in some areas.

Future
I think there is a great future for the industry here in Nigeria. We started small but with God and with interest in its growth, the Nigerian home video industry will grow from where it is now.

How do you feel being one of the few getting roles?
I feel very great and thankful to God for being there. Everyone is slugging it out to survive, both big and small artistes. So it is the grace of God not even your hard work or your beautiful face that keeps you there.

First role
My first acting role came in 1998. I was introduced into Nollywood by a family friend named Kelvin Ugwu, a broadcaster and actor. I did my first audition in the movie Igodo where I got the role of Agu's wife. I did Oganigwe, My love and others.

Dreams
I won't say I dreamt about being in the movies before the opportunity came. I just came out of secondary school. I attended Queens School Enugu and was a member of the Dramatic Society. I was not just dreaming because it is part of me and I knew I would be there some day. I left secondary school in 1996 waiting for my JAMB result, so 1998, I went into the industry. Kelvin had said to me: “Now that you are waiting for JAMB, why not come to try your luck?” I thank God it has been lead roles all the way.

Riches/wealth
I consider myself a very comfortable person. I don't talk about riches because it is God that gives them. I wonder when people talk about riches. It is not any one's making to be rich or poor. It is only God that decides this.

Challenges
The challenge there was knowing that you are a new comer in the arena coming to slug it out with the known faces. There was a little bit of anxiety when I was auditioned to feature in Igodo but I have always believed in my ability to act. It was determination and solid belief that I have the ability that made me excel.

Talent
I have always believed that talent is the basis for any grasping of knowledge. I learnt so much from our Dramatic Society but I have also learnt so much from Nigerian notable directors who have directed my acting in their films. I have learnt quite a lot and continue to learn. I can't say I got all from the drama group but the rudiments were the basic foundation.

Background
I come from Umueshigwe, Orlu, in Imo State, but I grew up in Enugu where I had my Primary and Secondary school education and went ahead to study Fine and Applied Arts at the Institute of Management and Technology also in Enugu.

I completed my Youth service in 2006.

Movies
The most challenging movie for me was Under Fire. I played a typical village girl who couldn't speak English. My director helped me a lot. Tchidi Chikere did plenty to help me realise this and people are commending me for that role till date.

Sexual Harassment
I have never encountered this. I go all out to do what I am expected to do. I do not mix pleasure with business. So I am serious minded. I won't talk about that because I have never come across that. However, I have heard that it exists especially from the new actors.

Lesbianism /Homosexuality
I have heard about it but I have never been approached for such. I believe that no one could even come around me to propose that. I was a day student in secondary school so the idea of inculcating lesbianism into me did not arise. I am yet to see the lesbian who would woo me when there are several handsome men out on the streets.

Marketers/Producers
I have a working relationship with them. It is only a working relationship I said. If you want me in your movie, you invite me, we negotiate and then I work. After that, we move on. We have a strictly business relationship.

Love
I was once married and I have a baby girl. The marriage crashed. The marriage did not work out. The marriage was consummated in 2002. For me, it is past tense and I won't talk much about it. We were incompatible and it didn't work.

Kind of man
I love a God-fearing, determined and hard working man. He must be respectful and humble. Men who are full of themselves bore me stiff. I detest being around them. He could be good looking as people say, but I don't mind that. I find it hard to discuss about men in the good looking adjective because it does not follow. He must just be a man, and this doesn't mean being a monster.

Wrong choice
I won't say I made a wrong choice of a husband. May be I was naive when the affair was contracted. May be it was a wrong choice. I won't call it a mistake but I call it experience which I have learnt from. The marriage, lasted for only three months you won't believe it. I had concieved the baby in my womb before we fell apart, three months later so I had the baby and have taken care of her all by myself since she was born. When I am working, she stays with my sister and as soon as I am back from location, I take her. She lives with me and I love her so much. In fact, she is my jewel.

Single mum
It is not easy but I cope. My baby is my jewel and I am very happy I have her. It's a blessing and not a stress as people want to say. Her name is Munachimsoaga.

Marry again?
Yes, if the time is right and the guy is right. Why not? I am young and can't live my entire life alone without a man. But the time and the guy have to be right. I can't afford to make the mistake I made earlier so I am watchful and very careful the way I fall this time around.

Hobbies
I love to spend time with my daughter and listen to music. I love music.

Philosophy
I do not regret any thing, I just move on. Just see everything as experience and it goes on and on. You must be strong in whatever you do.

I'm reading: Getting to Know More of Chiege Alisigwe of Nollywood

A Pictorial Glance at Prince Jide Kosoko of Nollywood

NAME: Prince Jide Kosoko.

ADDRESS: Abule Oja, Yaba, Lagos–State, Nigeria.

DATE OF BIRTH: 12th January, 1954.

MARITAL STATUS: Married with Children.

STATE OF ORIGIN: Lagos–Island, Lagos - State.

LANGUAGES SPOKEN: Yoruba, English and Pigeon English

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND:

i). Yaba Methodist primary school.

ii) Bona College/Methodist Boys High School

iii) Yaba College of Technology – Business Administration

iv) Lagos School of Drama – Dip. Theatre - Arts

Tell us a little about your childhood, growing up, parents, brothers and sisters?
A direct descendant of King Kosoko of Lagos Island grew up in Ebute–Metta /Yaba area of Lagos – State. My father, Prince Lasisi Kosoko and Mother Awawu Adeyanju Alake. I am the only living child of my late parents…… with very large extended royal family.

What was the first paying job ever that you had?
I was first paid for a job in my life as an actor. Later worked at various companies alongside acting. Voluntarily resigned as the General Manager of Steve Industrial company Limited Apapa.

How much were you paid per month and what were the responsibilities?
N13,500 in 1986 as the General Manager of the multi-million Naira cosmestic/candle and palm oil manufacturing Company.

What other jobs did you do outside Acting?
Acting scripts writing, directing, film producing, editing, and administrative consultant.

What made you go into the Acting career and when did you start Acting (year)?
I started precisely in the year 1964 at the age of 10 years. Late Chief Hubert Ogunde lived in same community with me then and I was so close to his family. I admired his overwhelming appreciation by his fans.

Who were your Idols/Models (Actors) in those days?
Late Chief Hubert Ogunde of blessed memory.

What was your first role in Theatre, TV or Movies?
The role of Alabi in a television production titled Makanjuola by the Ife Lodun travelling theatre. My first television appearance was on NTV barbeach – Lagos.

What was your major break-through role and in what film, series or play?
Combination of film and video;
Taxi driver (1983) arrival to Ade love
Comedy series by Ojo Ladipo
Various Felluloid film productions from 1977 - 1989.

What were the constraints you had to face and overcome as an up-and-coming Actor (young actor)?
Serious family objection both from my mother and father. My father believed that as a royal prince, I should rather be entertained than me entertaining people.

How many films have you been involved with as an Actor to date?
Too numerous to mention among them are taxi driver, Ojiji, Asiri nla, Omo onikan, Omolade, Glamour girls, end time, etc.

As a DYNAMIC, OUTSTANDING, 'A'-List Actor, how have you managed to adapt to the different range of roles you have played in your career?
As far as I am concerned, it's a gift to have this ability. I have played numerous different roles such as the part of a king, deaf and dumb, palm wine tapper, millionaire, drunkard, womaniser, crook etc.

What is the most awkward or strangest role you have had to take/play in your career and why?
I do not find any role awkward but a challenge.

What film have you been most proud to be involved with so far, and why?
End time – because of its World-wide acceptance.

As an 'A'-List Actor yourself, what other 'A'-List Actors or Actresses have worked or collaborated with?
Almost all of them, I cannot remember any that have not worked with me.

Did you at anytime want to quit your Acting career for something else or for a reason, and why (if any)?
Not at all.

What is the motivation for you or what keeps you interested in this career every morning you wake up?
I am just happy doing the job I know how to do best; determination to break new ground as a leader in the Industry.

How important are our Nigerian roots, morals, values, knowledge and sense of wisdom to you and your works?
Since my work entails creating wisdom, I ensure that I use my work to project the good culture of my tribe and my country; I educate; entertain and inform my viewers on the need to preserve our rich cultural values respect one another, I promote culture of respect.

On the stories, scripts, or screen play of your films, and its impact on the Nigerian/African cultural values (home and abroad), how do you manage to harness, keep and pass them across in your films?
As a producer, I ensure that I pick subjects that are not only entertaining but also educative, and the ability to highlight current issues of interest to the generality of my viewers. As an actor, I endeavour to interpret my roles to the best of my ability in accordance with directors' view.

What projects are you working on at the moment and with whom?
The Historical play of Lagos in the 18th century (all about the feud between King Akintoye and King Kosoko of Lagos). I am involving the British Council, Ghanaian and Nigerian Governments.

Where do you see yourself in this career in the next five years?
Still waxing strong and contributing my quota to the continuous growth of my noble profession. I also have the ambition of being the next President of Association of Nigeria Theatre – Arts practitioners (the largest Actors organisation here).

Where do you see the Nigerian movies industry in the next couple of years?
Penetrating the world market. Our actors and actresses are up to the task. Technically we are improving.

When you are not working (Acting, producing, directing or making a film), what do you do or how do you pass the time?

I love playing in-door games like script writing, draft, monopoly scrabble and I also play table- tennis.
What kind of music do you listen to and who is your favourite musician?

Juju music – King Sunny Ade.

Is there an International Actor (American, British, Australian, African, etc.) you will want to work with if the opportunity presented itself?
Eddie Murphy

What message do you have for your international fans in America, United kingdom, Europe, Africa and its Diaspora?
I promise to keep them happy at all times.

For any reason at all, how would you personally want your fans to remember you?
As a creator of wisdom, and grandmaster of all re-action

ON THE MARBLE

There is no gainsaying the fact that the Yoruba film industry, represented by the ANTP, pioneered what is called films in this country today. It started in 1976. The first commercially successful film in this country is called Ajani Ogun, by Dr. Ola Balogun, Duro Ladipo and Adeyemi Afolayan (Ade Love). There had been films before it, but they were not successful, so to say. We started with celluloid, but because Nigeria does not have the capacity for post-production unless one goes abroad, we went back to home video, which we equally pioneered. The first home video film was done by Muyideen Alade Ayomire. It was titled Ekun and produced in 1986.

But a lot of people believe that Living in Bondage by NEK Productions is the pioneer…

That is not correct. Living in Bondage was done in 1993; the same year I did Asiri Nla. I don’t want us to dwell on that. Even before Living in Bondage, NEK participated in the production of some Yoruba films. If people want to talk about stepping up, using special effects, Living in Bondage was a step up technologically. There is no doubt about that. I remember that Asiri Nla, which I produced in 1993, sold well over 160,000 copies without publicity. You know what that means?

I'm reading: A Pictorial Glance at Prince Jide Kosoko of Nollywood