INTERVIEW: Cliques, tribalism destroying Nollywood, top director, Chima Okoroji
By AZUH AMATUS
Youthful top director, Chima Okoroji, in this engaging interview with AZUH AMATUS, bared his mind on the many challenges facing Nollywood.
He also made it clear that cliques and tribalism are gradually killing the industry because most of those calling the shots have blatantly abandoned professionalism for favouritism and nepotism.
Enjoy the interaction!
We would like to know more about you, family and academic background?
My name is Chima Okoroji, I read theatre arts at the university of Ibadan then proceeded to Times Journalism Institute.
When and how did you join Nollywood?
When I finished my secondary school, I was at home doing nothing. I later took a bold step and approached a neighbour who works with NTA and told him that I would love to go to work with him and he agreed. So every morning I will join him to work with no pay but because of the passion. I have no other choice than to endure all I went through. That was how I came into the industry.
As a top director, which was your first film?
My first move was shot in 1998 and titled Faceless, I shot that movie as a student.
And like how many movies do you have in your kitty as top director?
To be honest with you I have lost count.
What would you say is the biggest challenge facing Nollywood currently?
Clique and tribalism. As a director if you are not able to fall into a clique, it will be very difficult for you to showcase your directing skills and that is very unhealthy for the industry. Many directors are wasted talent due to clique’s situations in the industry.
Tribalism is one of the bacteria’s destroying the industry and I will give you an instance, which was my own experience. I was handling a project owned by another tribe’s man. It was a new project so no fund, he begged me to direct the project for him with little payment. I took pity on him and I also love to encourage people with beautiful projects. Eventually the project started getting sponsors and his tribe’s people started advising him to drop me and pick someone from their tribe which he did and I left. Two years later, the project was dead and buried due to nepotism.
What makes a good director?
A good director is someone with a third eye, communication skills, confidence, discipline and good judgement.
Have you ever been harassed sexually by desperate actresses on set?
It’s usual in the entertainment world because most ladies are desperate to make it to the limelight.
Do you think the government has done enough to support Nollywood?
Government has not done enough to support Nollywood especially this current administration. They do not care about the existence of Nigerian movie industry. Lack of government support is very visible in Nollywood currently. They have done nothing to assist the Nigerian film industry. Only the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan initiated the N3billion naira intervention fund for the industry.
Even at that it was not channelled to the appropriate quarters; it became a clique thing that destroyed the concept of the project. Nigerian government needs to understand the power of movie making just like America and other countries who understand the economic values of movie making. I urge government to take serious interest in the activities of movie makers to help tackle some national challenges. Their support is also needed to ensure the growth of the industry.
As a director what is your biggest achievement in Nollywood?
Being able to assist some emerging talents to achieve their dreams
What would say is the biggest challenge facing directors in Nollywood today?
Clique. If you are not in the clique of ROKTV or DSTV, they will kill your passion for directing because they control the industry.
In your opinion, are Nigerian directors well remunerated?
Most Nigerian movie directors can’t afford to pay house rents or live in a comfortable place.
Any regrets as a top director in Nollywood?
Well, it is not easy but because of the passion we have for the industry we keep fighting.
What are the three major things a good director must look out for on set?
A good director looks out for everything on set for the success of the production.
First published in DAYLIGHTNG, in September 2021
