Omoni Oboli: Nollywood’s A-list triple-threat

Your movie, ‘Being Mrs. Elliott’ is a hit. How succesful, exactly, is it?Omoni Oboli: The first success for me is in rising out of my comfort zone to direct the movie. This movie was borne out of many years of procrastinating and watching others go ahead of me to do what I thought I wasn’t […]

Your movie, ‘Being Mrs. Elliott’ is a hit. How succesful, exactly, is it?
Omoni Oboli: The first success for me is in rising out of my comfort zone to direct the movie. This movie was borne out of many years of procrastinating and watching others go ahead of me to do what I thought I wasn’t yet prepared for. The great team of cast and crew involved in the movie and the final outcome of the movie is the first success.
After taking that first successful step, I was over the moon to sit in Aso Rock Villa in Abuja watching the president, vice president, senate president, PDP national chairman, ministers and many eminent members of our society sit and enjoy my movie from start to finish. Words fail me to describe how I felt for what was evidently a miracle. That was another success; my movie being the first to premiere in the new banquet hall of Aso Rock Villa.
All the nominations I have gotten from various award ceremonies, including the NAFCA, GIAMA and BON Awards were a testimony of the work I have produced. This all started with my movie being selected as the opening movie for this year’s Nollywood Week in Paris. I was so excited to find that they not only enjoyed the movie but they wanted it to set the pace as the opening act at the festival. That was an honour. Today, the movie is showing at the cinemas for an incredible five weeks running.
Many people and critics alike have said that it is the most entertaining movie they have seen in a while. All these and many more I can’t readily recall are the many successes of the movie.
How did the idea for the movie come about?
Oboli: I wrote the story about 5 years ago, but after I was told by someone I was pitching the story to that I had been telling that same story for four years, I realised that it was time to stop talking and start doing something. We got some money together and wrote to some sponsors who saw the potential, and wanting in, they helped us complete the funds which we used to produce the movie. That’s what you see today on the big screens.
What were the challenges you faced while shooting the movie?
Oboli: Funding was an initial issue, but thank God for the sponsors who came in at the start to help finish the project. The rest came in later at the marketing stage to help promote the movie. We were tired from shooting long hours. We shot one day for over 24 hours and in that state we lost some footages which we had to shoot all over again. Regardless of all the seeming downturns I loved every minute of it, and that’s why I went ahead to write, produce, direct and star in two more productions after ‘Being Mrs Elliott.’
Your movie is the first to have been screened at the Presidential Villa. How do you feel about this?
Oboli: Like I said, over the moon! It is not an everyday occurrence, so I will always remember that day for the rest of my life. It was a turning-point for me and for the Nigerian movie industry.
Do you think with the private screening in the Villa this will help boost Nollywood in terms of monetary backing and support from the federal government?
Oboli: We have always had monetary backing from the government, be it the federal or some state governments. The issue has always been the channel they used to give those funds, whether they are using it as the government intended for the industry or for other things. President Goodluck Jonathan, or any governor or government minister is not a filmmaker, so they rely on the professionals to come up with a plan that he can veto for their industry. If the intention is right, we will see the fruits of that decision or monetary backing, but if it isn’t, it will fail. Money isn’t always the solution to problems. What we also need is the strong right policies that will be implemented to give us the enabling environment to build our craft and also make some good returns on our investments.
The presidential screening is a step in the right direction, because it is the express endorsement of the president for our industry, not just as an onlooker, but demonstrating as a participant, the strongest avenue for the growth of our industry. And what is this strongest avenue for the growth of our industry? It’s the patronage of our movies by the people of Nigeria. He is showing, by this screening, that we shouldn’t just be onlookers, but be active participants by paying for the services that we provide. That’s where the growth will come from, and not just from money from government.
Your dress for the screening of the movie at the Villa generated a lot of controversy. What do you have to say about that?
Oboli: I was waiting for that question. It’s like we have been going round and round just to arrive at this destination. (Laughs) The truth is that I was so preoccupied with the screening and the fact that this was the premiere of my movie in Nigeria that I didn’t stop to think if my dress was going to generate any sort of controversy as it has done. Someone should have given me a head start. So, when I get this question I don’t have an answer that wouldn’t in itself generate another buzz to amuse us. The most important thing which we should all focus on is the rare feat of having a presidential screening.
What was it like having to direct and play a lead role in the movie?
Oboli: Let’s just say that it made me give a whole new level of respect to the likes of Tyler Perry, who writes, produces, directs and stars in dual roles in most of his movies. It is the hardest job in the world, no kidding. It takes an endearing passion to keep at it. I love what I do, and that fuels my zeal to go on even when it seems so daunting sometimes.
What is it that you know about filmmaking now but you weren’t told when you started your career?
Oboli: Be prepared for many sleepless nights. Seriously though, there are so many other things. Producing, directing and acting in the same movie is a nerve racking ordeal that is not for the faint-hearted. For every scene you write, there’s a cost attached to it, so be careful when you write. You should make sure that you give the best entertainment value for the least amount of money.
What misconceptions do people have about the world of entertainment, especially in regards to a career that can lead to fame?
Oboli: I think one of the misconceptions is that acting is easy. There are many people today who think that actors are just goofing around and collecting money, until they appear on set for the first time and realise that they can’t act to save their lives. They have been told all their lives ‘by their parents’ that they are good until they realise that they should have had a more professional opinion before pursuing that path. Many have fallen away and never came back, while others have gone ahead to fuel their passion by enrolling in schools to learn the art. Even after enrolling for acting courses, many have discovered their skills in other areas of filmmaking which they didn’t know they had the ability for.Another misconception is that you’ll still be the same, doing what you did before and won’t change because of fame. Wait till you encounter some fans!
In your opinion, as an actress and a Christian, what principles do you believe help sustain a person in a career like acting? What principles sustain the career itself?
Oboli: Learn not to cross the line in the name of art. People demand it, but they will turn around to be your first persecutors. Your faith and beliefs are yours according to scripture and don’t let anything force you into what makes you uncomfortable with yourself. As humans, we occasionally cross the line, but He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness, so don’t stay in a condemned zone but rise above it to stay on the path of righteousness. It is not easy, but listen to your conscience according to the word. That’s what I do. I make some mistakes and fall but I rise every time because God sustains me.
How does it feel to be on the other side of the camera?
Oboli: Acting is my first love! I don’t care how tired I am or stressed, once the director says ‘action’, I come alive. I have been doing it since I was a child. I have a brilliant editor, Steve Sodiya. I sit with him and we decide on how we want the story to go. Producing is not easy, but then what good thing do you get without the preceding hard work? It feels great to be behind the camera knowing that your story is coming alive under your watchful eyes. It’s simply exhilarating!
Your children are into movies too and they are getting recognition. Does this affect their education in any way?
Oboli:  My first son loves to act and has been nominated for several awards for his roles in ‘The Figurine’ and ‘Brother’s Keeper,’ and has won two awards so far as best child-actor. My other sons enjoy being around us and understand a thing or two about acting, but they don’t want to be actors. Yes, they have also been in our movies, but that’s all. Movies are movies and that is separate from their responsibilities as children to face their studies in school. They are normal children, doing their thing. My husband and I manage them as best as we can.
What next big project are you working on?
Oboli: I have two other movies that I have written, produced, directed and starred in. They will be coming out next year. Others are in various stages of preproduction.