I’m positioning myself to be one of Nigeria’s most celebrated
Weekend Magzine:Who did you consider an icon in the industry before you entered? Sarah Hipsim Umah: It was Pete Edochie. I say that without thinking too hard. From the first time I saw him in movie, I fell in love with his acting and professionalism. His ability to fit into different roles was something I […]
Weekend Magzine:Who did you consider an icon in the industry before you entered?
Sarah Hipsim Umah: It was Pete Edochie. I say that without thinking too hard. From the first time I saw him in movie, I fell in love with his acting and professionalism. His ability to fit into different roles was something I admired and also wanted to be able to do. I simply love the way he acts and the seriousness he applies to his roles. I’m looking forward to an opportunity to working with him so that he can mentor me.
But it was a friend of mine, who passed on some years ago, that, actually got me into filmmaking and production. She invited me to a meeting and it was there that I fell in love with the industry. Fifteen years down the road, I have no regrets and I love it more.
WM: Asides acting, you also produce. How easy is it combining this with acting?
Umah: Producing is not an easy thing because you have to invest a lot of money; you need people who are capable to also help you out, people who can deliver your job. I am not a director but I know a little about directing. I also know little about the cameras and all that. But basically, the field that I am a professional in is producing which was and still is a good experience for me to producing a film.
WM: Have you ever acted in any movie you produced yourself?
Umah: Yes I have acted in one of the films I produced. It is called ‘Soil.’ It is making a whole lot of wave now. The experience was really terrible because I did the acting and directing. It wasn’t easy but however, it was a lovely experience for me. The movie focused on themes like child molestation, child abuse and women battering. In some homes, women are beaten by their husbands at the slightest opportunity. ‘Soil’ is the story of a woman whose son is suffering from cancer and is nursing the hurt that her husband has also abandoned them. Unable to overcome her grief and hardship, she passes on leaving her child in the hands of fate. That’s where the story begins.
WM: Are you working on another project soon?
Umah: Yes! I am actually working on another project right now and it is a big one. By the special grace of God it will be kicking off at the end of this month. It is also an interesting film that everybody would say ‘wow’ to. This is better than ‘Soil.’ But ‘Soil’ has had its own impact on the society.
WM: Do you have any actor/actress you look forward to working with in the industry?
Umah: Yes! I look forward to working with Angelina Jolie. I am a big fan of hers. I love her so much and I am mentored by her style and kind of movies she stars in. Like her, I love action movies. That’s why my movie ‘Soil’ is action.
WM: In the next couple of years, where do you see yourself?
Umah: I’m positioning myself to be one of Nigeria’s most celebrated celebrities in the next three years.