Angela Basset was my first crush –Thomas Ikimi

Thomas Ikimi is a Hollywood director and wrote the widely acclaimed ‘Legacy: Black Ops’ which featured award-winning actor, Idris Elba. His has been on the news in recent times over his new TV series, ‘The Crusaders,’ which is currently in development by Fox TV. The Columbia University, New York, Literature and Writing graduate spoke to […]

Thomas Ikimi is a Hollywood director and wrote the widely acclaimed ‘Legacy: Black Ops’ which featured award-winning actor, Idris Elba. His has been on the news in recent times over his new TV series, ‘The Crusaders,’ which is currently in development by Fox TV. The Columbia University, New York, Literature and Writing graduate spoke to Weekend Magazine about his new project, making his small budget movie, ‘Limbo,’ work as well as the ladies who were his first crush, among other issues.
Weekend Magazine: What was your motivation to go into filmmaking?
Thomas Ikimi: My family collected movies when I was growing up in Nigeria in the 80s. Watching films every day meant they became a part of our family’s lives. In my early 20s I realised my affinity for storytelling could be best realised through film and that is when I made the transition, having already been a writer for many years.
WM: Please share with us your experience producing your first movie.
Ikimi: ‘Limbo’ was the first film I ever made and it was for $9000 (N1.7 million) as a second year student in University in NYC. It was gruelling and I learned a lot from the experience. I actually raised most of the budget on a credit card that I signed up for as CITIBANK were doing a promotion on the Columbia campus for new accounts. I wouldn’t attempt to make a film in this way again. But as I had no perspective at the time, I went head first into a project that should have been impossible, but we somehow managed to pull it off.  $9000 is not enough to pay for food on many movie productions let alone the entire project.
I learned very fast that making a film is expensive, time-consuming and unpredictable. There were many moving parts and I had to account for issues with locations, actors and equipment. The main thing was always being ready to figure out alternatives to problems that occurred and solving them quickly.
WM: ‘The Crusaders’ has recently made headlines. What’s the idea behind it?
Ikimi: It’s a show about a second generation African family living in the US who are tasked with recovering artefacts stolen from Africa during colonialism. The heroes are the children of Nigerian immigrants to the US. I wanted to make something fun and exciting that particularly connected to my heritage in Nigeria. Obviously Nigeria was a British colony and I thought it would be interesting to create a swashbuckling adventure incorporating some elements of actual African history that few people really know about.
It’s not as if much of our history is taught in classrooms around the world. I actually believe many Africans know more about world history than they do about African history. I know I am one of those. As such making a show that not only entertains but may enlighten audiences about the African continent was something worth doing.
WM: How does it feel reuniting with Idris Elba for this project?
Ikimi: Great. We have worked together before a number of times and this project is one we are looking forward to collaborating on.
WM: What kind of reactions do you anticipate that the series will provoke?
Ikimi: It’s actually a TV series and we hope it will be the kind of exciting adventure spectacle all audiences can enjoy. Obviously it is uncommon to have black action or adventure heroes, but to have them be characters with African heritage is very cool. I also like the idea that they are interested in preserving the history of Africa and reclaiming some of its identity.
WM: Which Nollywood movie is your favourite so far and why?
Ikimi: I enjoyed the ‘Jenifa’ series, especially the first instalment. I haven’t had a chance to watch as much of it as I would love to, but I also find Aki and Pawpaw hilarious. They are comedic stars and should get bigger and better films in the African market. I liked the satirical humour in it. I thought it was a film that didn’t take itself too seriously and had very memorable characters.
WM: What’s the thrill about being an author and a director at the same time?
Ikimi: I do enjoy combining directing with writing and producing. It allows you to see projects from multiple perspectives. It also allows you greater control in the creation of your work.
WM: What kind of movies do you enjoy making?
Ikimi: Sci-fi, fantasy, thrillers, action. Those are my main genres but I am not opposed to one day trying comedy, horror or romance.
WM: What informs your decision of who makes up your cast?
Ikimi: I take each project as it comes and pick the best people for the role. I certainly push for diversity and want to see a wide range of ethnicities and backgrounds represented in my work. I feel it makes things more interesting and authentic to the reality of the world.
WM: You did ‘Legacy: Black Ops,’ what was the inspiration?
Ikimi: An idea I had when I wanted to make a contained film on a small budget. I had seen the film ‘12 Angry Men’ and was amazed at how well a film on such a controlled scale could be realised.
WM: Why did you choose to have it set in one room and what challenges/benefits did that pose?
Ikimi: Narratively, the one room setting works well with the theme of PTSD that the character is dealing with. The claustrophobia and pressure cooker effect of being trapped with the character does make a difference in how the story is received by the audience. It was a challenge and setting the film in one room helped in focusing the story and keeping the budget down.
WM: Why the choice of Elba for the movie?
Ikimi: He had not done many feature films as the main star at the time and I felt the character was going to be a good departure for him. I had seen ‘The Wire’ and he had just completed ‘American Gangster.’ The character he played in my film was the opposite of most of his roles up to that time and I don’t think he has played anything quite like it since then. For any actor, playing a role that stretches them is an important factor, especially when they are ambitious and interested in growth.
For me as a filmmaker, you want to work with people who are always willing to push themselves.
WM: You’ve talked about your Catholic background and the influence it’s had on you. Does your current schedule still give you time for church?
Ikimi: Not too much. I think all people who have a Catholic background have been influenced by it in some way. As most Nigerian families, mine is very religious and so it has influenced a lot of my storytelling and ideas.
WM: Who/what is your muse?
Ikimi: I don’t really have one. I get inspired by many different things, from music, to situations to other filmmakers. I never really know what is going to inspire me to tell a story or to come up with an idea. It often just happens when I least expect it and from the most unlikely sources.
WM: Who was your first crush and what was it about her you admired?
Ikimi: Angela Bassett/Nia Long. I was about 12 and I recall they represented my fantasy of beautiful black women. I was also into all the members of En Vogue.
WM: Who’s the woman in your life?
Ikimi: Unfortunately I barely have enough time for myself when not working. I know it’s a boring answer, but I wish I had more time for a personal life these days.
WM: How supportive has your family been?
Ikimi: They are always there when I need them. Family is always important for keeping you grounded as you navigate your course.
WM: What lesson did you take from that first movie production to your other works?
Ikimi: I learned to always plan ahead for every eventuality. The most successful filmmakers are the ones who can adapt to problems and not panic when the unforeseen happens. It doesn’t matter how talented you are, it is essential that you are able to weather storms as no talent can overcome running way over budget or running out of time.
WM: Your short film, ‘Nostradamus,’ was a critic’s choice from Tribeca Film Festival. What was different making this in two days and the experience from ‘Limbo?’
Ikimi: I made Limbo when I was a second year University student. I started that film at 21. I made ‘Nostradamus’ having shot many projects and written numerous scripts, not to mention development work I had done to that point. My experience was far superior and thus ‘Nostradamus’ was the result of a lot of learning and development as a filmmaker. I am always learning and the film is just another step on the ongoing road I am on.