ADVERTISEMENT
  • The Membership Club
  • PT Hausa
  • About Us
  • Advert Rates
  • Careers
  • Contact Us
Monday, March 1, 2021
Premium Times Nigeria
  • Home
  • COVID-19
  • News
    • Headline Stories
    • Top News
    • More News
    • Foreign
  • Investigations
  • Business
    • News Reports
    • Financial Inclusion
    • Analysis and Data
    • Business Specials
    • Opinion
    • Oil/Gas Reports
      • FAAC Reports
      • Revenue
  • Opinion
  • Health
    • News Reports
    • Investigations
    • Data and Infographics
    • Health Specials
    • Features
    • Events
    • Primary Health Tracker
  • Agriculture
    • News Report
    • Research & Innovation
    • Data & Infographics
    • Special Reports/Features
    • Investigations
    • Interviews
    • Markets
  • Arts/Life
    • Arts/Books
    • Kannywood
    • Lifestyle
    • Music
    • Nollywood
    • Travel
  • Sports
    • Football
    • More Sports News
    • Sports Features
  • Projects
    • Parliament Watch
    • Panama Papers
    • Paradise Papers
    • AGAHRIN
  • Home
  • COVID-19
  • News
    • Headline Stories
    • Top News
    • More News
    • Foreign
  • Investigations
  • Business
    • News Reports
    • Financial Inclusion
    • Analysis and Data
    • Business Specials
    • Opinion
    • Oil/Gas Reports
      • FAAC Reports
      • Revenue
  • Opinion
  • Health
    • News Reports
    • Investigations
    • Data and Infographics
    • Health Specials
    • Features
    • Events
    • Primary Health Tracker
  • Agriculture
    • News Report
    • Research & Innovation
    • Data & Infographics
    • Special Reports/Features
    • Investigations
    • Interviews
    • Markets
  • Arts/Life
    • Arts/Books
    • Kannywood
    • Lifestyle
    • Music
    • Nollywood
    • Travel
  • Sports
    • Football
    • More Sports News
    • Sports Features
  • Projects
    • Parliament Watch
    • Panama Papers
    • Paradise Papers
    • AGAHRIN
Premium Times Nigeria
BUA Group Ad BUA Group Ad BUA Group Ad
ADVERTISEMENT
Funke Akindele

Funke Akindele

INTERVIEW: How Nollywood can change the Nigerian narrative — Funke Akindele

byJayne Augoye
December 7, 2019
4 min read

Nollywood star, Funke Akindele, shot into limelight after starring in popular United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)-sponsored sitcom ‘I Need to know’, which ran from 1998 to 2002.

Her breakthrough came in 2008 after she appeared in the movie ‘Jenifa’. She has enjoyed an impressive career and recently made her directorial debut in the socio-political comedy film, ‘Your Excellency’ which hits the cinemas this December.

PREMIUM TIMES spoke with the talented actress at the media screening of her latest film which held in Lagos recently.

Here, the 41-year-old actress speaks about the new direction of her career and her industry.

PT: Congrats on your directorial debut. How was it like shooting behind the camera?

Funke: It was a mixed feeling, fun, challenging and tiring. Then also it was more fun. It gave me opportunity to work with Ebonyi Life as a director. Shooting Your Excellency was worth it all. The shoot lasted about a month. Directing isn’t really a new field to me because I’m an actor, writer. I also direct, produce, so directing is something I have always been involved in.

PT: Why were you drawn to the script?

Funke: The storyline is fresh and unique. It basically gives a new spin to the story which was created by Mo Abudu and developed by her too. It’s not a regular storyline. It is something you expect. It’s a political comedy or a comedy movie. It is filled with so many lessons and also to make people laugh. I worked with Ms. Abudu some years ago on the project titled ‘ Screen Divas’, a reality show EbonyLife started then I moved on to Chief Daddy where I acted in. The truth is whenever I see the positive drive of Aunty Mo I just want to double on my own; so when she reached out to me to work as director and lead cast on the project ‘Your Excellency’ I was so happy and jumped on it despite my busy schedule.

PT: What is the story line all about?

RelatedNews

Movie Review: ‘Omo Ghetto: The Saga’ is an engaging tribute to shanty gangsterism

Top 10 highest-grossing Nollywood movies in 2020

NETFLIX debuts ‘Naija to the World’ collection

Netflix approves ‘Citation’,‘Òlòtūré’, ‘King of Boys 2’, one original Nigerian series

Funke: Your Excellency tells the story of Chief Olalekan Ajadi, a bubbling, billionaire businessman and a failed presidential candidate who is obsessed with Donald Trump. Just when his campaign looks set to be another disaster, Ajadi is anointed by a major party and becomes a credible contender-all through the power of social media. As the political drama unfolds, it seems possible that even the most inept candidate with little to offer voters except for viral soundbites and amusing antics can mount a serious challenge for the presidency.

PT: How easy or tough was it joggling the role of a director whilst playing the lead role in the same movie?

Funke: I must say tedious because I do that a lot like the head writer for Jenifa’s Diary and some other contents you see on Scene One Production. This (Your Excellency) is more tedious for me because this is a film compared to TV Series and we kept on working every day. I am super proud of the outcome so far and I can’t wait for people to see what we have cooked.

Dangote adbanner 728x90_2 (1)

PT: What is that role that you are yet to play?

Funke: So many roles, watch out for 2020 one of those challenging roles I haven’t played is coming out. I have done some serious roles too not just comedy.

PT: So much has changed in your industry since you launched your career nearly 21 years ago. What type of stories do you think Nollywood needs to begin to shoot?

Funke: We need to shoot more movies that promote and celebrate our culture. Right now, it should be all about presenting our stories to the Western world. I think Nollywood needs to shoot more indigenous, historical movies to tell our stories like ‘Sango’ and all of that. We can change the Nigerian narrative through our films. I believe Nigerian filmmakers have a lot of power in their hands to change our society and even hold our politicians accountable.

READ ALSo The year of Gooodluck By Ose Oyamendan

This is why I love what Genevieve Nnaji did with ‘LionHeart’, I particularly love the role Genevieve’s family played. We just need to tell our story, to make people happy. Let them know what we have in Nigeria.

ADVERTISEMENT

PT: If indeed like you said that the ‘Lion Heart’ why didn’t it make the Oscar Best International feature cut?

Funke: It’s not a setback. I love the movie. The Oscar rejection made the film more popular. People had to go watch it. It gained attention far and wide.

Funke Akindele
Funke Akindele

PT: Nollywood is almost an all-comers affair. What skills do you think budding actors have to possess?

Funke: First, you have to be sure you have the talent. You must have it in you. There must be something different about you. You can’t force talent or do something simply because someone else is doing it. You can learn how to act for sure, but you must be willing to learn. Then stay focused. You must be ready to be patient and endure. You have to work hard. Do not be distracted. You have to be well-grounded and listen to correction. You have to grow organically. I did Screen Divas with Ebony Life some years ago and here I am now directing a movie with the same Ebony Life. It’s called organic growth. Then, you have to be very respectful.

PT: So, which are you most comfortable with acting or directing?

Funke: Honestly, I think acting because I get to express myself so well. Also based on the fact that acting is what I have been doing for so many years; I feel so much at peace doing it; directing takes a whole part of an individual.

PT: Where there moments when you felt like throwing the towel during the shoot?

Funke: Don’t forget that I am also a strong woman; even on those days when I had down moments onset; the executive producer is always there to give words of encouragement. She will be like ‘Funke you can’t give up now; let the world see the stuff you are made of on this project’ and all those words from her and other crew members made the job seamless for me. And before I forget, my ever-supportive husband was also there to support and encourage me and one thing he keeps telling us that you have done your jobs well; this is another person’s production; you have to kill it.

PT: What is that one thing you love about this particular production?

Funke: Well, that will be the fact that everything you see from start to finish of the movie is 100%real in terms of props and more importantly all the cast came with their A game.

PT: So when is your creativity normally at its peak?

Funke: I draw inspiration from happenings around me. I could get an idea and when I am in the bathroom taking a shower I develop it. Later on maybe during a massage, I could give the concept a deeper thought.

  • WhatsApp
  • Tweet
  • Email
  • Print
  • Telegram
  • More
  • Share on Tumblr
  • Pocket

Support PREMIUM TIMES' journalism of integrity and credibility

Good journalism costs a lot of money. Yet only good journalism can ensure the possibility of a good society, an accountable democracy, and a transparent government.

For continued free access to the best investigative journalism in the country we ask you to consider making a modest support to this noble endeavour.

By contributing to PREMIUM TIMES, you are helping to sustain a journalism of relevance and ensuring it remains free and available to all.

Donate


TEXT AD: To advertise here . Call Willie +2347088095401...


JOIN THE CONVERSATION

  • Disqus (0)
premiumtimes



PT Mag Campaign AD

Previous Post

Court Invasion: Human Rights Commission demands prosecution SSS officials

Next Post

Taiwan marks 40th anniversary of crushing of pro-democracy march

Jayne Augoye

Jayne Augoye

Jayne Augoye is an assistant editor and covers the entertainment and lifestyle beat for PREMIUM TIMES. She has a master's degree in Media and Communication from the Pan Atlantic University. Twitter: @jaynejones

More News

Basirat Rufai, 22, aced a 6.9 CGPA of 7

INTERVIEW: How ‘low score’ propelled me to graduate as best student – UI Valedictorian

February 28, 2021
Osun State Governor, Gboyega Oyetola, Iyiola Omisore with Rauf Aregbesola

ANALYSIS: Omisore’s defection widens Aregbesola, Oyetola’s rift in Osun

February 28, 2021
Chikwe Ihekweazu, Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) [PHOTO: @NCDCgov]

ANALYSIS: One year after, five gaps in Nigeria’s management of COVID-19

February 28, 2021
L-R : CEO EbonyLife Media, Mo Abudu; Honorable Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs Uzamat Akinbile-Yusuf and Founder of Del-York Creative Academy, Dr. Linus Idahosa at the official launch of the Lagos State Creative Industries Initiative (LACI)

Free skills training for 1500 filmmakers, creatives, launches in Lagos

February 27, 2021
NCPC has denied appointing Tonto Dikeh as its Ambassador of Peace

Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission denies appointing Tonto Dikeh as Peace Ambassador

February 27, 2021
Blossom Chukwujekwu and Elozonam in Sanidation Day movie

Movie Review: ‘Sanitation Day’ is chaotic, with disjointed themes, complicated storyline

February 27, 2021
Next Post
Photo credit: Operation World

Taiwan marks 40th anniversary of crushing of pro-democracy march

Joke Silva

Eddie Ugbomah, Joke Silva honoured with Movie Rock of Fame Award

Discussion about this post

Search

#EndSARS: Latest Updates




Polaris Bank


JAIZ Ad


NITDA Ad





Glo Ad

Subscribe to News via Email

Enter your email address and receive notifications of news by email.

Join 1,626,467 other subscribers.

Advertisement






netherland biz school Advert

Zenith Advert
ADVERTISEMENT

Our Digital Network

  • PT Hausa
  • Election Centre
  • Human Trafficking Investigation
  • Centre for Investigative Journalism
  • National Conference
  • Press Attack Tracker
  • PT Academy
  • Dubawa
  • LeaksNG
  • Campus Reporter

Resources

  • Oil & Gas Facts
  • List of Universities in Nigeria
  • LIST: Federal Unity Colleges in Nigeria
  • NYSC Orientation Camps in Nigeria
  • Nigeria’s Federal/States’ Budgets since 2005
  • Malabu Scandal Thread
  • World Cup 2018
  • Panama Papers Game
  • Our Digital Network
  • About Us
  • Resources
  • Projects
  • Data & Infographics
  • DONATE

All content is Copyrighted © 2020 The Premium Times, Nigeria

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • COVID-19
  • News
    • Headline Stories
    • Top News
    • More News
    • Foreign
  • Investigations
  • Business
    • News Reports
    • Financial Inclusion
    • Analysis and Data
    • Business Specials
    • Opinion
    • Oil/Gas Reports
      • FAAC Reports
      • Revenue
  • Health
    • News Reports
    • Investigations
    • Data and Infographics
    • Health Specials
    • Features
    • Events
    • Primary Health Tracker
  • Agriculture
    • News Report
    • Research & Innovation
    • Data & Infographics
    • Special Reports/Features
    • Investigations
    • Interviews
    • Markets
  • Arts/Life
    • Arts/Books
    • Kannywood
    • Lifestyle
    • Music
    • Nollywood
    • Travel
  • Sports
    • Football
    • More Sports News
    • Sports Features
  • Projects
    • Panama Papers
    • Paradise Papers
    • Parliament Watch
    • AGAHRIN
  • Opinion
  • PT Hausa
  • The Membership Club
  • Dubawa
    • Dubawa NG
  • About Us
  • Advert Rates
  • Careers
  • Contact Us
  • Digital Store
  • DONATE

All content is Copyrighted © 2020 The Premium Times, Nigeria

Our website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.
loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.