Seasoned Nollywood actor Lancelot Oduwa-Imasuen wh0o recently over 20 years in the industry has revealed the industry isn’t fully maximized.
Lancelot Oduwa Imasuen and Uti Nwachukwu
“Naturally, any person that has stayed in a particular business for a length of time like this should really feel happy and have reasons to thank God. I see it as an uncommon grace. The most interesting thing is that this would give me the grace to re-assess myself and also see how I am perceived and received by my colleagues in the industry and my fans at large. By and large, the feeling is good and I thank God for everything, particularly the gift of life. I made my first official movie in 1995. My first film was Igbo. That is why I remain grateful to the Igbo people, because they gave me the platform to rise in the industry,” he said.
Oduwa-Imasuen also talked about how his journey in the industry started, how much he made in his early movies and how much the Igbo-speaking players in the movie sector had helped him entrench fully in the industry.
“I thank God for the success I have recorded through my works and talents in the course of pursuing my career. My first film was ‘Adaaku’; my second film fetched me the sum of N100, 000 naira also through an Igbo man who believed in me inspite of the fact that he didn’t know where I resided. This was in 1996. I asked him why he gave me the money, because I never expected such and he replied ‘Young man, I think you are a Benin man, the only thing you people do is to go abroad. Maybe you should use the money to travel abroad.’ I felt sad and changed my orientation about my career.”
Speaking on his plans for the coming years given how much he has achieved thus far, the film
director said: “There are lots to come. I think this is just the beginning of what I intend to deliver. If you listen to what people have been saying about my career, it will tell you about where I was coming from and the kind of relationship I have built, especially among my colleagues over the years. Though, I am known to be an actor and a film director, I am happy to inform you that I have stepped up my game to a corporate businessman. Now, we have begun to look at the other side of arts. It is about what we are going to bequeath to generations to come. I want to match my artistic strength with the technicalities of film making. I want to look back to the works I have done that have fetched me recognitions and laurels in year pasts and also to check whether I have attained my zenith.”
He beckoned on the government to show some support for the arts by recognizing key players in the industry in order to give rise to the needed growth and development.
“I have decided to raise my game and also add more value to my life. Gone are the days when filmmakers are seen as mere entertainers, especially at political gatherings and party campaigns to thrill people alone. This must change. We have to be part of the policy-makers. I have to say this and I believe many will agree with me that we are more connected to the people than the politicians; we influence than the political office holders. If our films can make people stay glued to their seats and make them laugh and cry without seeing us face-to-face, we can make things happen.”
In addition, he addressed the authorities of the movie industry saying they were a ill equipped for the task before them hence failing to duly represent the industry.
He said: “What I am more concerned about is being more visible in the mainstream of the socio-economic life of our country. We have the pedigree, brand and followership to make things happen positively. For example: The ministry that controls the entertainment industry is under communication. This is an aberration; we need to form a pressure group to fight against this and move it finally to culture where the industry would function optimally.
Also, what stops the government to always take along some key Nollywood practitioners whenever they are travelling for national assignments; why is it that Nigeria does not have a bilateral production agreement with other countries to make our works institutional? Government is completely ignorant of the business and a lot of people who have represented our sector are ignoramus.”
Lancelot Oduwa Imasuen is a renowned Nigerian actor, director and screen writer.
The 44-year-old has spent over 20 years in different capacities as a creative person and is still involved in projects in the film industry.
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