Encomium
- Talks about his romantic role with Genevieve in Bursting Out
STAR actor, Majid Michel is one of the best actors in Accra, Ghana. He is happily married to Gavivina Tamakloe and blessed with two lovely girls, Keir 3 and Zara who is just three months old. The light-skinned role interpreter is the son of Mr. Michel Erawack, a Lebanese businessman and his mother, Mrs. Michel Paulina Olympio works for Ghana Review International. Majid is currently a student at the Academy of Screen Arts. ENCOMIUM Weekly had a chat with him recently at Silverbird Cinemas, Victoria Island, Lagos. He spoke on the role he played with star actress, Genevieve Nnaji in the movie, Bursting Out and sundry issues.
It was recently reported that you were threatened on phone here in Nigeria due to the fee imposed on Nigerian actors to act in your home country, Ghana, so you had to run for your life. How true is this?
No, that’s not true. I have no idea of what you are talking about. I never received any threatening call, nothing of such happened, believe me, it never happened. I didn’t run, nobody threatened me, not even on phone. I shuttle between Nigeria, Ghana and other countries. It is an untrue story and I don’t know where the story is from. All I know is that I was never threatened by anyone, I didn’t run and nothing happened to me as you can see. I don’t even know what informed it.
When did you arrive?
I came in today.
So, when are you going back to Accra?
I am leaving as soon as possible, tomorrow.
You are one of the best actors in Ghana, how does this make you feel?
I feel humbled, it feels great, it makes me want to work harder.
How were you able to pull through the love scene you acted with Genevieve in the movie, Bursting Out?
I had to do it because it’s my job. It’s my career, it is the role I accepted to play, so nothing is attached to it.
Was it difficult acting the scene with her?
To act that love scene with Genevieve was very, very difficult. It was not easy, I saw hell, I was like oh my God, I was sweating. She is hot, don’t you think so?
I thought it was going to be easy?
It wasn’t easy, it was like a war scene, I was sweating.
How many takes did you had before the final take?
It was one take, we had just one take and that was the final take.
Is it because both of you are professionals?
No, its not because we are professionals but we had good directors.
What attracted you to the character?
I know the directors, I know the jobs they’ve done, I know I wasn’t going to do anything they know nothing about. I know all that they’ve achieved, I know they are excellent people to work with. I knew I wasn’t going to do what I don’t know anything about, I knew the people I was going to work with are people that I would be comfortable with, I knew they were going to choose their cast carefully. I went through the script and it was really good, I was very impressed when I saw it. So, I had to accept the role.
What is your assessment of the film, do you classify it as the best Nollywood has ever done?
No, it is not the best but one of the best ever done.
Is there anything you would like to change about our script?
I think they are okay but there is room for improvement, we are not there yet. We haven’t even started, we are warming up and we will definitely get there very soon.
How do you work on your scripts that you make them so real and believable?
I do a lot of research, I work on myself. I know what I do, I get myself educated from time to time and it works, it helps a lot.
How long did it take you to research to fit into the role with Genevieve?
The directors helped me a lot, they did 70 per cent of the job for me, I did 30 per cent. Desmond Elliot and Daniel Ademinokan are amazing people to work with, they are wonderful directors, they are two fantastic people, I had no challenge.
What is your comment on the fees imposed on Nigerian actors in your country?
We are African actors, we are worldwide. We are not Nigerian or Ghanaian actors, we are actors, we are universal. I am neutral, so I don’t have problem with anyone, I believe we are one. We are Africans, I don’t have any other thing to say.
You are looking nice, what is the secret?
It’s God.
Who designed the clothe you are wearing?
I don’t know, my wife dressed me up. I don’t know where she got it from.
How will you describe your wife?
My wife is very caring, understanding and loving.
How do you juggle family life with your career, shutting between Ghana, Nigeria and other counties?
It has not been easy but thank God I have an understanding wife, so there is no problem about that.
What are you working on presently?
I am working on my movie which will be premiered on August 27, 2010.
Will it be premiered here in Nigeria?
No, the premiere is going to take place in Accra and will be out soon.
Which do you consider more tasking the psychological role you play in movies or facing the press?
The psychological role, I love the press.
What do you like about Nigerian women?
Women? I love African women, I love Nigeria, I love Nigerians but what you hear about them is that Nigerians are wicked, that they would kill you. I believe its all lies, Nigerians are wonderful people.
- THIS STORY WAS FIRST PUBLISHED IN ENCOMIUM WEEKLY ON TUESDAY, AUGUST 24, 2010
