Encomium
‘Those who discouraged me from acting now beg for their children to be in Nollywood’ – KEPPY EKPEYONG BASSEY
FOR popular actor, Keppy Ekpeyong, Nollywood is an institution celebrated beyond our shores. While wishing it well, he went on to share with ENCOMIUM Weekly his experience as a film maker…
What does Nollywood mean to you?
Nollywood is the best thing that has happened to Nigerian history.
Why?
First, Nollywood managed without the assistance of government, to launder Nigeria’s image. You know what? Over 100 professors across the globe had done extensive research on the novelty of Nollywood. What I will also tell you is that there are some university departments outside the country that have every single movie we have shot. That may not be the same here. Nollywood has put food on the table of over three million Nigerians. Nollywood has encouraged the development of various sectors within the economy. We built the comedy and the music industry. Ask Ali Baba and Sammie Okposo. God knows how many television programmes that feed from Nollywood. We also encouraged all celebrity magazines. I don’t know where to start, I don’t know where to end. Nollywood started as an accident but crystallized to something big today.
What is your prayer for Nollywood?
Nollywood can only get better. My prayer is that we will realize our dreams.
What should we expect?
Revelation. The truth about slavery of mankind. Mankind versus mankind.
What do you look out for when shooting a movie?
It is first, the story. Then, I look at the technical expertise because in film production, everything is team work, nothing stands out in isolation. We need a blend of the menu. That is what should be looked out for.
When do you reject a movie script?
So many things. First, I need to read the story to find out if there are flaws. And like I said, the making of a movie is a combination of many little components. And if those components are not there, there is no point in being part of it.
When you look back at how you started, what excites you most?
When I started out on television, my father being conservative was discouraged by his friends. But today, those friends of my dad are now begging for their children and grandchildren to come to Nollywood. That’s what excites me most right now.
You have not been visible in the industry lately?
I produced a movie this year. It’s unique. It’s on human trafficking. It is entitled St. Mary and it would be released shortly, wait for it.
