Encomium
‘We lack love in Nollywood’
NOLLYWOOD star, Halima Abubakar has finally released her much awaited movie, Mistresses, and it’s really doing well in the market. The brilliant thespian spoke excitedly on this enviable success and other issues when ENCOMIUM Weekly visited her in her Maryland, Lagos residence on Thursday, September 19, 2013. According to the Kogi born actress cum film maker, the movie has sold above 120,000 copies so far which makes it number one in the market at the moment. But she said, ‘the race has just started.’
How do you feel now that your much awaited movie, Mistresses is out at last?
Yes, I feel very much happy. It’s a good development. I give God all the glory.
How would you assess its success in the market at the moment?
From what I have seen, heard and all the calls I have received so far on the movie since it was released on Monday, September 9, 2013, I learnt Mistresses is actually number one in the market right now. That’s not my doing anyway, it’s the fans that are judging the movie. But right now, you can’t even find a lot in the market. That alone amazes me. Now, they’re printing fresh copies again and that will be about 120,000 copies also.
We learnt the movie has sold over 120,000 copies, how true is it?
That’s the truth. It has sold well over 120,000 copies. That’s a fantastic report. And the movie was released all over the country. I believe one of the reasons that gave it an edge was simply because a lot of people have been waiting to see it, and a little teaser, I mean the trailer they saw wasn’t a disappointment.
How do you now feel about this success report?
I feel amazed, fulfilled hearing all the positive comments concerning the movie. I even want to sell over a million copies. For a movie that has been shot over two years now, and it has been highly anticipated, I am going to say I am proud of its success. But actually, that’s just the beginning of greater things ahead.
With that record so far, the movie might have grossed up to N30m…
(Cuts in) No, movies can’t be judged in that way. I am not going to put any figure in terms of money. All I know is that it’s doing well in the market, and I am excited. I am happy that it’s Halima Abubakar Production that’s doing that.
What do you think is the magic?
Nothing, the poster itself is very catchy. It’s a great movie, I don’t want to sound like a judge in my own case. I am also saying this based on what movie lovers are saying. It will be wrong of me to start hyping my job, pretending as if it’s 100 per cent good. Like I said, it’s my first movie, there are bound to be mistakes. I am going to say there is room for improvement. But to be sincere, my fans really love it. I thank God for that. So, it’s not about any magic but God.
Would you say the desired message was delivered?
Yes, hopefully.
Can you still tell us a little about the movie?
Mistresses is about relationship, lies, fidelity, infidelity. It’s also about love, acted by the young generation of Nollywood. So, go and grab your copy for details (laughs).
Now that Mistresses is popularly accepted, do you have any plan to produce its Part 2?
No, I am not going to do anything like that. It’s boring when you do that. It’s better you give people different stories. We shouldn’t do more than one but very meaningful and comprehensive story so far it covers all the expected aspects. It is not a comedy story, it’s a real life one and it has ended there. It’s a straight forward message about relationship, lies and all that. So, there is no need for continuation.
What next from the stable of Halima Abubakar Production?
Actually, the next movie now is The Bully, which is going to be premiered soon. It’s going to be shown in the cinema next month by the special grace of God.
We believe people would have also loved to see Mistresses at the cinema, why didn’t you take it there before finally releasing it on DVD?
It was like two years I have been waiting for that date but the date wasn’t coming. And there were about 11 movies before mine. And really, I couldn’t wait any longer. If I had waited, I could have perhaps premiered the movie in September which couldn’t have been the best. I believe there is time for everything.
Can we say Halima is fulfilled now career wise?
No, I am not yet there. The fact that my movie is number one in the market right now doesn’t mean I am fulfilled. I still have a long way to go. That’s just my debut movie. But I am grateful to God for its amazing success.
Apart from the monetary reward from the movie, what else are you expecting?
I get calls all the time, that shows people appreciate my movie. I need to say a big thank you to them. What I acknowledge most is the appreciation from people. My target is not money now. This is just the movie I released since I have been in the industry, I might not gain as much as people think but I believe money will come later.
Would you say you have recouped all the money spent on Mistresses?
I don’t know. I am not going to start talking about money. The truth is that, in every business you either gain or lose. Let’s not forget, it’s my first movie. If you ask me that question after my next movie, I will definitely give you a great answer.
Do you think it’s more rewarding being a producer than just an actress?
Being an executive producer means it’s your own job while acting maybe another person’s job. But you’re going to get acknowledgement from both sides. If you’re a seasoned actress, you’re going to get a lot of jobs. But if you’re a producer and you shoot quality movies, the credit is yours.
How would you describe all the cast that contributed to the success of the movie?
They’re all amazing. Actually, we didn’t finish a lot of scenes, we also lost some tapes along the line. Personally, I feel like it wasn’t really completed the way I wanted but I am glad I was able to pass a message, and I am grateful to all the cast.
What were the mistakes you later discovered in the movie that you will like to address in your subsequent productions?
In my subsequent productions, I am going to be hands on. I am going to preview the movie while I am shooting. Also, we’re going to be editing while we’re shooting. I am going to bring in international editors who will be editing while we’re shooting so that there won’t be any mistakes. In this one, we thought because the camera we’re using which was 700mm was the first class camera so we didn’t really preview much. When the cast now left, we found out that a lot of things were not in the movie. For example, some of Yvonne Nelson’s scenes were cut off. I lost four tapes containing about 40 to 45 scenes. I was only able to recall few actors, I couldn’t get Yvonne Nelson back. She was busy in the U.S then. Maybe because it’s my movie that’s why I am able to notice all these things I am talking about. But commercially, no one is complaining.
What do you think is missing in Nigerian movie industry?
Love. We need love in Nollywood. We need to live together as one big family. We must love ourselves wholeheartedly, your cast have to genuinely love your scripts. You also must love the people you’re working with so that they can come out well. We only pretend to love.
That means the real love is missing in the industry?
Yes, there is no real love.
Does that mean there is discrimination among you guys?
Yes, there is. People may say Halima likes talking. No, I am not just talking but the truth. We need to actually love one another. There shouldn’t be anything like, ‘I don’t like working with this and that.’ We’re all in the industry for a reason, which is working together as one. So, what’s the point of fighting? What is the point in not acting well? And what’s the point in not coming back to do correction in your job? That means there is no love, and we really need love to be together.
Where do we put Halima now in the industry?
I am where God wants me to be and I am comfortable there.
What’s happening at the moment concerning your relationship?
I have nothing to say anymore. Thank you very much.
– TADE ASIFAT
