‘Nollywood Is Retrogressive ‘

By Tope Olukole

Tunde KelaniLegend is a word tossed too lightly in show biz. But when it comes to Tunde Kelani, the ace cinematographer, the word just doesn’t seem too weighty. He has not only shaped the face of Nigerian movies, he has discovered, groomed and nurtured several artistes. A sizeable number of technicians have honed their skills under his tutelage too. As a writer, one has learnt to understand his fascination for stronger stories; his critical allegory of Nigerian politics and his probing relations, which he usually depicts through intense and powerful characters in his works.

But the graduate of the London Film School said he has been driven more by curiosity than the dictates of the society. He is well aware that cynics and even some critics feel he should have dealt with more socio –political themes. “I look outside of that sphere because there are so many things that fascinate me.

For instance, my culture, my environment and my people, their story and my world view are usually taken into consideration. Yes, we will do one of those classics later in the year. For me, there’s always an internal organic reason to make any movie.” With an enviable profile as a Nigerian film maker whose work has enjoyed screening in film festivals around the world, his current task, he said is to redefine African cinema and take it to lofty heights.

“I am beginning to redefine what African cinema should be and I am convinced that we probably have to borrow from any of the successful models. I might have borrowed a bit from the traditional African cinema, the Alarinjo Theatre Culture, that is ,the famous travelling theatre and added my own cinematic expressions, but what I’m doing is not Nollywood. I’m not part of Nollywood. I’m not part of ANTP, not part of the Northern movie tradition. Perhaps ,I’m a combination of all, using digital video technology to achieve what I call alternative cinema. That is exactly what I’m doing and I’m excited about this.”

The quest for a generic name and the choice of Nollywood for the movie industry in Nigeria, he said, is not progressive. “It is retrogressive to graduate from my culture to other cultures. But then in all these genres, everything is valid. You will find it difficult to shake off the Nollywood garb, which I know how it came. It came out of derision of some practices among some practitioners in the industry.” Besides, he continued, “we have a different backgrounds, so we cannot have equal or similar classifications but all these are media of expression and creativity. I don’t believe we can have one cinema, not in a country with the motto: Unity in diversity.”

His dexterity as a cinematographer has drawn different comments from his critics who questioned his foray into directing. Speaking on this, Kelani said: “I was trained at the London Film School. My course encouraged diversified knowledge in all departments of film making. So I was trained as a film maker but my previous experience as a cameraman in television spurred my interest as Director of Photography. Besides, I’ve worked as DOP for about 20 years before I started directing. The advantage to me is that I am familiar with all facets of film making. So, it is inevitable for me to graduate into directing. The advantage for me is that I’m able to take technical decisions quickly and this shortens my production time. It enables me to do things directly without delegating the technical aspects to other people. Significantly, I think it is how we tell the story and how the audience judges the matter. The audience to me is the king and paramount.”

Celebrated as Oscar, Kelani said he is indifferent, at least for now. “Candidly, Oscar is not on my mind. We can’t jump at Oscar, we must work at it. What bothers me as a film maker from Africa is the developmental aspect of films. I ask myself what will be the value of my film that is appreciated by the whites and does not add any developmental value to my community, my environment. I don’t care about who is the best cinematographer or the best actor. I just want to make a good story and use an actor that will advance the plot. I don’t subscribe to the star-syndrome. I wanted to be a photographer and then a film maker. As an independent film maker, I have had to face stark realities; funding has always been a problem, even then I must cut my coat according to my cloth. I have to practically strain myself to raise the fund for the next movie.

I am convinced that I will have to continue to work in low budget to give me the freedom to bring into fruition those films that personally appeal to me and so important in my freedom of self-expression. More importantly, I have devised a working method and procedure designed to take the tremendous advantage of multi-media technologies to enhance the process and boost my productivity.” Nigerian movie audience, he said, deserves a thumb-up. “They are actually supportive of the industry. The African film makers are yet to understand the needs of the teeming African movie audience. They get to be served anything in the name of movies and they buy. My wife is a good example of this, she patronises what she calls our ‘own thing.’ Interestingly, Nigeria is a reference point in movies production whether for good or bad, but we can take advantage of this, like I said it’s all about art.”

My Parents Wanted Me To Be An Accountant, But ... - Sammy

Sammie OkposoSammie Okposo has undoubtedly proven wrong the doubting Thomases with his brand of gospel music. After conducting various choirs for years and composing countless theme-songs for the Nigerian movie industry, he is not relenting, rather he has been forging ahead to produce more soul-inspiring songs. His insistence on staying strictly with gospel song has won him laurels and awards, notable among which is the KORA award. At a time when many artistes were at a loss on how and where to begin, Sammie has been in the studio with world class gospel artistes like Cece winans. He is quick to tell anyone that if not for God, he wouldn’t have been anywhere today. No wonder his hit song, Wellu, Wellu in 2000 , is still lighting up stages till date.

Sammie is many things to many people: many see him as immensely creative, just like he is well admired by both men and women. An encounter with Sammie would make you fall in love with Jesus all over again as he cannot stop but sing the Lord’s praises. At 38, he seems to have seen it all. Though his parents wanted him to be an accountant, God had a different plan and purpose for him. This is no hold-barred encounter with TOPE OLUKOLE by the godfather of the gospel music. Excerpt:

When did you release your first album?
That was in the year 2000. It is still doing well till tomorrow. People used to request for it whenever I’m on stage. Even when I sing other songs, the clamour for wellu, wellu is still the highest.

What is the secret of that song– wellu, wellu?
It is a grassroots song. It cuts across. At times, I sit down and try to listen to it over and over again to work out why the frenzy for it, but I just marvel. Sometimes, you get songs like that that become a hit, a success you just can’t explain.

Can you talk a bit about your background?
My mother is from Cross Rivers while my father is from Isoko in Delta State of Nigeria. I attended elementary school in Lagos, Hosea College in Abuja and ICU, Benin City for my A’ level. I was admitted to read Accounting at Delta State University, Nigeria but music didn’t leave me alone.
How do you see the entertainment industry in Nigeria?
You see, comedy, acting, modelling, football, music and entertainment have taken over. People make decent living from all these endeavours. My father wanted me to be an accountant, he did not want to see me playing music initially, but today he is so proud of me. He tells me well done. The entertainment industry is giving Nigeria a good name abroad. We have talents that have changed the fortunes of our country. Look at the footballers for instance. Someone told me a joke that now,most parents did not want to see their boys just loitering in the house, they will ask him why is he not playing football with his mates. They will ask them that :do they not want to be like Kanu or Okocha? It is a joke but the fact remains that entertainment is taking us to places in Nigeria. It is keeping our youths off crime.

How did you start?
At a very tender age, I sang in the choir. I conducted various Christian groups. I have never left music.

What are the challenges?
Initially, a particular clique dominated the music industry. People now know that talents abound everywhere, especially in the Niger Delta, where I come from. We turn out talents on daily basis. Music pays all my bills now. It has taken me everywhere.

Any temptation of going secular?
Not at all. Gospel is in me, my family members are church people. While growing up in my home, you dared not miss Sunday school or any other service. When I was a baby, they carried me on the shoulder to church. As soon as I started walking, I trekked to church by my self. The various groups shaped me. I am a complete gospel artiste.

You own a music label, what’s the name?
Yes. Zama.

How do you operate?
I do my music.

Look for marketers?
No! They come to me now and we are on. I have marketers in the UK, South Africa, and Ghana… just everywhere.

Let’s get a bit personal, are you married?
No, but I have a beautiful 13-year-old daughter.

How do you survive some controversial reports about you in the media?
How do I survive you people, you mean? As a gospel artiste, some don’t expect you to break some grounds. And when you do, people start to wonder. They will say ‘he is a single man.’

Ok, let’s go, Janet Fateye?
Janet is my ex …

...Gloria Ibru?
Gloria is the mother of my daughter, we relate till now. We are not enemies. Our daughter is in the United Kingdom. I don’t want to bring her into so much limelight? Do I continue?
Ok, I know you want to say Kate and I are good friends.

But many thought you and Kate would end up in marriage. Notably, Pastor Paul, who once asked publicly in his church that when are you, people, getting married?
Yes, Pastor Paul used to disturb me a lot about marriage then.

What happened?
As you know, it did not work, people of that kind who used to see us together are guessing. We are just friends.

What about Stella?
He is my good friend too.

What has Jesus done for you?
Hey! We no go leave here today o. All my albums mention that I don’t know where I would have been without God and Jesus. I can’t begin to count. God has done beyond my expectations. I just love praising him.

Are you a born-again christian?
Yes, absolutely! God is in me. He works in mysterious ways.

When did you hear the voice?
When I was under Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor when he was still in Word of God Mission Church. I have God in my system. Right from childhood, you know, sometimes as a teenager you try to dodge attending church but when the time comes you can’t walk away from the church and God.

What will you say to your fans in the UK?
I love them all; Jesus loves them too. I will always strive to do more for them and continually minister to them through my music because if not for God, I won’t be where I am today. We all have to praise and worship him forever.

What do you like to wear?
I like casual dressing. I don’t like things that will stifle me.

Where do you shop?
Everywhere. If I see what I like I just go ahead to buy it.

How do you relax?
I love watching movies. I could go to the cinema from morning till evening and watch movies one after the other. I love movies a lot.