Meet Francis Duru: The ‘screen darling’ plots a comeback

HE used to feature in about six out of every 10 home movies released in the late ‘90s and 2000s. But e later slowed and got involved in other interests outside acting. Notable Nollywood actor Francis Duru revealed that aside acting, he later got involved in producing, managing events and serving as master of ceremony. He also revealed that he has over the years built capacity that has stretched into mobilising for politics. Indeed, the period he slowed down — featuring in only a couple of movies a year in 2011 when he played an active role in the Goodluck for President campaign.

Duru revealed that he was instrumental in creating a platform for political consciousness as it affects practitioners in Nollywood. He returned to the turf afterward, worked on Majek Fashek’s biopic as directed by Charles Novia and also featured in two hit movies, Final War and Total War. But Duru’s fans will insist that he has taken the backseat in the scheme of things considering that he was at a time a constant and not an occasional visitor to their homes. They want the recipient of the prestigious ‘Legend of Nollywood Award’ (LNA) back on the beat and; even Duru has assured that he is due for a loaded comeback soon as he has featured in a couple of movies that are at various stages of post-production.

A native of Imo State and star of critically acclaimed flicks like Rattle Snake, Dust to Dust and Sgt Okoro, Duru isclearly a versatile actor whose movies have somewhat become a hallmark of nostalgia in the minds of moviegoers. The University of Port Harcourt graduate of theatre arts and former chairman of the Abuja chapter of the Actors Guild of Nigeria is roundly hailed for his professionalism and commitment to the stage and screen acting vocation. An actor, whose staying power has been total respect for professional ethics, discipline and hard work, Duru also revealed that he has learnt a lot from being humble and learning from situations and everyman who comes around him.

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REVIEW

Title- 11 days and 11 nights

Producer- Chibueze Uchenna

Actors- Dakore Egbuson, Pat Attah, Caroline Ekanem and others

DAKORE Akande, the actress of the Emotional Crack fame, is Cindy in this take on trust betrayal, revenge, lust and misconception. Cindy is in love with Roberts (Patrick Attah) but Cindy’s friend played by the ‘mulatto’ actress, Carol Ekanem, thinks they are not compatible. She works at frustrating the relationship. She succeeds. Robert and Cindy eventually part ways. Robert got married later but Cindy had her destiny to battle with. Months past and Cindy and this friend who clogged the wheel of her relationship meet. The law of retribution sets in and the movie ends.

This will get you hanging-on on it. It throws up the acting abilities of the Ijaw actress on the movie run way, Dakore Akande. She has a way of bumping snugly into roles. She contributed in giving this tastefully told movie much of the credits it deserves.

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Filmdom Notice Board

Light Dims on Fiery Actress Orisabunmi

A DARK cloud descended on the Nigerian stage and movie industry Wednesday last week as soon as news broke that notable actress of the stage and screen Folake Aremu aka Orisabunmi had passed on. The actress who rode into prominence in the ‘80s precisely in 1987 playing Orisabunmi in a TV series ‘Arelu’ reportedly died at her Ibadan, Oyo State residence late on Tuesday night. A native of Kwara state, the 61-year old actress, in the early stages of her career, was married to the late veteran theatre and filmmaker, Chief Jimoh Aliu. Incidentally, Chief Aliu passed on last October. Films that benefited from her intense portrayal of roles include, ‘Yanponyarin’ and ‘Fopomoyo’.

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Chico Ejiro to be buried February 20

THE remains of the late prolificNollywood filmmaker and honcho of Grand Touch Pictures, Chico John Meziakpono Ejiro, will be committed to mother earth in his hometown, Ozoro, Isoko North Local Government Area of Delta State on Saturday, February 20. Chico’s elder brother, Chief Zeb Ejiro, OON, confirmed the burial date and location in a press statement. Chico, according to Zeb, died last  Christmas Day. Zeb Ejiro clarified that his demise followed complications arising from high blood pressure for which he had been treated. ’ He (Chico) had returned delightfully to the only business he was so passionate about and had concluded his movie shoot barely two days before Christmas. His painful death was a tragic drama that took less than 10 minutes and there was silence’’ the older Ejiro, himself a veteran filmmaker said.

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Filmdom WORD BITES:

All for Orisabunmi

‘’IT is so sad we lost a priceless jewel, a very rare gem in Nigeria film industry. We will surely miss Orisabunmi for her talent. She was an orator who would perfectly chant eloquently with her resounding sonorous voice. Iya Oosha, we will surely miss you’– President of Theatre and Motion Picture Practitioners Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN), Otunba Bolaji Amusan aka Mr. Latin.

“THE news of your sudden demise came to me as a rude shock. Beginning the New Year with this is highly disturbing. You were a highly trained practitioner of arts and custodian of culture. Our beloved association TAMPAN is bereaved. Rest in peace ,Orisabunmi.”

— Notable filmmaker, Chief Adebayo Salami aka Oga Bello

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This is a very painful exit. I saw you at Mama Ẹfunsetan’s birthday looking so; so that was the last day I’m going to see you. Till we meet and part no more, RIP ma”

–Popular Actress, Ronke Oshodi Oke. 

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‘The Entertainment industry in Nigeria has been privileged to have Late Chief Mrs. Folakemi Aremu (ORISABUNMI). A phenomenal talent, loving mother, role model and a very honest friend. It is indeed painful and a great loss that we will not be seeing you again, Mama. Your performances in movies gave us excellent childhood memories such that when we look back, we are always happy and proud of your achievements. From the entire Rareedge family we send our condolences to her family and loved ones. We pray she is in a happy place resting. We miss you; we love you ORISABUNMI’

Popular Yoruba comic actor, Ajirebi.

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Star Fad & Hobbies

The Actress Bukky Wright –

‘’I PREFER blunt folks to dishonest people. I don’t like dishonesty. I don’t like fake people. I like blunt people, maybe because I am very blunt and straightforward. I hate liars because if you are one you are bound to steal and you are bound to be fake. I hear a lot of people say I am difficult but I am a straightforward person. If I don’t like something, I say it straightaway without mincing word. I also like to help people a lot. I believe I have been trying but I have not done enough but I still want to do more’.’

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The Actress Bhaira Mcwizu-

‘’I LIKE very simple people. When I am free, I like to stay here and be close to family. In terms of food, I like a lot of African food. I like pounded yam a lot. I also like a lot of fish and vegetables. I like African salad and then Amala. Music wise I like Shakira a lot and the fact that she has time to be involved with charities. Here, people like Auntie Taiwo Ajayi Lycett, Genevieve Nnaji and Omotola Jolade Ekeinde inspire me. Of course, there is Denzel Washington and Angela Basset. Angela is also into some charity work. I also did a bit of charity work and will still do more as I get the resources to. It takes a lot to do charity and more than one person to save the world’.

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MILE STONES AND ROUGH CUTS

 #Done and Dusted- Nigeria’s special screening of ‘The Milkmaid’— Nigeria’s entry for the International Feature Film category of the 2021 Oscars. The screening held at the Terra Kulture on Tiamiyu Savage, Victoria Island Lagos before a quality crowd on Sunday January 10. Recall that the film was selected as Nigeria’s official entry for the Best International Film category of the Oscars by the 12-member Nigeria Official Selection Committee (NOSC) after it met the prescribed procedure of selection by the Academy of Motion Pictures, Arts and Sciences (AMPAS). Written, produced and directed by Desmond Ovbiagele, ‘The Milkmaid’ is a Hausa language-based thriller spotlighting insurgency and extremism, especially as they affect women and children in Sub-Saharan Africa. The film, which recently garnered eight nominations at the 2020 Africa Movie Academy Awards narrates the story of a Fulani milkmaid who confronts extremists in a rural African community in a quest to locate her missing sister, and details how efforts to recapture her disrupted past became complicated.

#Time for PAFF IN Los Angeles: The 29^th edition of the annual Pan African Film and Arts Festival (PAFF) will hold February 28 through to March 14 in Los Angeles, USA. The festival has over the years served as a platform for presenting and showcasing the broad spectrum of Black creative works, particularly those that reinforce positive images and help destroy negative stereotypes.