Meet Jim Iyke

THERE was a time Jim Iyke was the poster boy of Nollywood. He was everywhere. In fact, at a time, he was in seven out of every 10 movies released. But that was then. Even though the dashing actor has featured in a few recent big budget movies, the Jim of Nollywood — as some of his fans call him — has somewhat taken the backseat. Although some fans say they have seen him in a few movies produced recently and had followed him on television as a star of his own reality show ‘Unscripted’, they complain that those few appearances are not the same as having Jim Iyke star in several movies.

An actor of many credits who disclosed that he would have featured in over 150 Nollywood movies, fans want Iyke to regain his status of being a constant visitor to their homes as soon as he can but the actor has hinted that only a good script can get him back on set.

Born in Gabon and raised from a humble background between Gabon and Nigeria, Jim Iyke Esomugha — or Jim Iyke for short — studied Philosophy at the University of Jos. On graduation and after the completion of the compulsory National Youth Service Corps scheme, Iyke moved to Lagos ‘in search of greener pasture.’

In Lagos, Iyke said he encountered frustration and setbacks but he revealed that he was focused on excelling as a showbiz personality. An opportunity to feature in ‘Cursed from Beyond’ as directed by Teco Benson turned things around for the Enugu Agidi, Anambra State- born native. He evealed that he has funded the production of two big budgets flicks — ‘Ebony’ and ‘Good Evening’. Cast mainly as a lover boy, which has conferred on him the unofficial title of the ‘movie lover boy’, movies that have had the benefit of his portrayal include  ‘Arrested by Love’, ‘Blind Love’, ‘Break Up’, ‘One Dollar’, ‘A life to Remember’, ‘Life Partner’, ‘My Sweet Heart’, ‘Tentacles’ and ‘Last Flight To Abuja’. His most recent movie credits include ‘Cold Feet’, ‘A Star in Heaven’, ‘Merry Men’, ‘Between Kings and Queens’, ‘American Driver’, ‘Palace War’ and ‘Set Up’.

REVIEW

Title- 11 days and 11 nights

Producer- Chibueze Uchenna

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

DAKORE Egbuson, 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 fair-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 runway, Dakore Omobola Egbuson. 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

SRTV show to harvest new creative talents 

SRTV production is set to organise a talent expo and an international networking event designed to scout and empower emerging creative talents in Nigeria. According to a press statement issued by the Creative Director of the organisation, Christian Ashaiku, the show which will harness talents in Nigeria, whilst rewarding, celebrating, and honouring those who have contributed to the growth of the Nigerian creative industry will take place December the 4- 6 of 2020 at Honeyland Resort, Lekki, Lagos State. 

According to Ashaiku, “This show is aimed to move talent discovery in Nigeria out of the polite drawing rooms into the clamour of the streets. Nigerians of all ages will be provided with the right tools to showcase their talent. Our goal is to bring Nollywood talents (home and away) together to share knowledge, skills, experiences, and contacts. Our programme demonstrates the things we all can do, to positively contribute to our viable creative industry.

“SRTV Talent EXPO is a global brand created to operate in Nigeria, Africa, and the rest of the world.’’ The Creative Director also noted that the show would feature SRTV Moonlight Film Festival, SRTV Talent Hunts and SRTV Talent Awards. He stated that SRTV has designed these inclusive events, putting together selected Nollywood filmmakers (home and away) to come together; celebrate, network, and do business and noted that the 2020 edition will screen films from selected Nollywood filmmakers from the United States, United Kingdom, and Nigeria at the beautiful. The talent hunt part of the show will see the winner go home with N500,000 according to the organisers. 

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Toyin Abraham’s ‘Fate of Alakada’ is trending

CINEMAS all over the world have experienced low patronage as a result of Covid-19 and many of them are shutting down their branches and the prediction by observers is that the industry might not pick up until 2021. However, Toyin Abraham’s movie ‘Fate of Alakada,’ which she co-owned with Film One, has invalidated that prediction as the movie grossed over N30million in the opening weekend. This is a major feat considering the fact that even before Covid and in the history of the box office in Nigeria, only four movies have done over N20 million in its opening weekend. So, for this major feat, a lot of stakeholders have commended the actress for reviving cinema culture in Nigeria post-pandemic.

Produced by Toyin Abraham and directed by Kayode Kasum the star-studded movie continues the hilarious journey of Yetunde (Toyin Abraham) alongside Instagram comedian, Broda Shaggi and other A-list celebrities in the likes of DMW label owner, Davido, and Peruzzi, Odunlade Adekola, Cobhams, BBNAIJA S04 winner, Mercy Eke and a host of others. It is the fifth instalment in Abraham’s fan-favourite ‘Alakada’ film franchise.

Head of the film production at FilmOne, Mimi Bartels had this to say about this development; “The performance of “Fate of Alakada” has taken everyone by storm, we knew it will do well but nobody predicted it will do this well especially after a terrible pandemic. The cinema industry deserves to give Toyin a pat on the back for using her influence to drag her fans to the cinema. It is a sort of a revival for the cinema culture for the post-pandemic era”.

Vice President of Genesis Cinemas, Ope Ajayi said:  “I think Fate of Alakada is the best we have seen since we reopened particularly in the south-west region. It has done fairly decent numbers and we have seen people come back to cinemas. Generally, it’s been a slow start but we are seeing increased confidence as people are getting more used to it so with a few more blockbusters from Hollywood and Nollywood, things will get better and it should be back to normal.”

Fate of Alakada is still showing in cinemas nationwide.

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FILMDOM WORD BITES

THE fact is; film festival is a good platform to foster the growth and development of film business in the world today. We need film festivals to expose our local filmmakers on new developments in this business in terms of producing quality films that will attract international distribution and co-production to increase the mileage and patronage of our local movies in the global village. A film festival allows movie aficionados to converge together and have one to one interaction, which give room for synergy, co-productions and collaborations

— Hope Obioma Opara; President Eko International Film Festival (EKOIFF)

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TODAY, the realities of Nollywood are as follows: An average producer spends between $20,000 and $35,000 to produce a Nollywood film. Some people may find this level of investment commitment ridiculous, accounting for the apparent low quality of the film products, but indigenous film producers in Nollywood argue that based on the present available distribution opportunities any increase in the production budget renders the project non-viable.

— Tony Abulu, President/ CEO of Filmmakers Association of Nigeria, USA and President and CEO of Black Ivory Communications

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Star Fad & Hobbies

The Actress, Angela Phillips

 I LOVE to cook. Oh, I can spend a whole day preparing a local delicacy. As for my other likes and dislikes, I hate people that base their life on assumption. You don’t assume things. Spend time finding out before you draw conclusions. I hate people that envy and backbite.  I hate people who don’t call a spade a spade. I like to eat any good food because I cook well. I generally like colours from blue to red, to yellow and to purple because I consider myself a colourful person. What is important is how well you combine the colours.’’

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Actress of The Johnson’s fame, Ada Ameh

 ‘I LOVE people who are sincere. I don’t think it is a good thing to cheat and backstab. I just believe that we should just love ourselves because if we do, the world will be a better place to live in. I love cooking for people and seeing them eat my food, it makes me feel good. For food, I like rice and stew a lot. I like perfumes, good shoes and bags. And as for Mr. Right, of course he should be God-fearing and a man that would love me for who I am. He must not have all the monies in the world but he must not think that he is coming to deal with a fool because me I be Ajegunle babe oo. If he thinks I have money he wants to come and eat, e go fail’. 

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MILE STONES & ROUGH CUTS

 #Premiered- Nigerian Film ‘Eyimofe’ (This is My Desire). The movie, which had its world premiere at the 70th Berlin International Film Festival in February premiered in the United Kingdom at the BFI London Film Festival on October 11. It is billed for a U.S premiere at the AFI Fest on October 20. Directed by twin brothers Arie and Chuko Esiri, the 114 minutes GDN Studios production features Jude Akuwudike, Temi Ami-Williams, Cynthia Ebijie, Sadiq Daba, Tomiwa Edun, Jacobs Alexander, Tomiwa Edun, Chioma ‘Chigul’ Omeruah and others. Funded entirely in Nigeria and shot in 16mm and filmed across 48 locations in Lagos, the two-chapter drama follows the stories of Mofe (Jude Akuwudike), a factory technician, and Rosa (Temi Ami-Williams), a hairdresser, on their quest for what they believe will be a better life on foreign shores. A passport, photos and a visa form recurring elements, Eyimofe is distributed by APO Group on behalf of GDN Studios. Details of the film can be sourced at www.Eyimofe.film

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#SCHEDULED —  Charles Granville’s latest film, ‘30 Pieces of Silver’. The movie will hit the big screen on October 23. It features a stellar cast comprising Enyinna Nwigwe, Nse Ikpe Etim, Jide Kosoko, Keppy Ekpenyong, Charles Granville, Collette Nwadike and Deyemi Okanlawon and tells the story of Detective Shola (Nse Ikpe-Etim), who knows it will be a career high to finally pin down the ruthless Chief Boga (Jide Kosoko), a drug lord with a history of evading arrests and a reputation for killing his nemesis. But her resolve is tested by Martins (Enyinna Nwigwe), her absentee husband’s closest friend who seeks refuge in her home after he is evicted by his landlord. The film will be available in cinemas across major Nigerian cities.