(A Naija Times special focus on Nollywood’s ‘Mr Prolific’ (15.10.1963- 25.12.2020)

Personal

Full names- Chico Meziakpono John Ejiro

Alias – Mr. Prolific

LGA/State of Origin- Ozoro, Delta North Local Government Area, Delta State 

Marital Status- Married to Joy and they are blessed with 4 children

Childhood ambition- To become the foremost Agric Economist

Later day passion – Filmmaking 

Biggest Filmmaking Influence: My Elder brother Zeb Ejiro, OON

An Alumnus of – Federal University of Agriculture Umudike, Abia State

Qualification obtained – BSc (Agric Economy)

Career

First Screen Credit as Director– Ripples, Mega Fortune (Television)

First Movie as Director –  ‘Aiye Ma le’ (Yoruba movie)

Movie runs- ‘Full Moon’, ‘Silent Night’, ‘Emotional Pain’, ‘Wanted Alive’ and ‘Outcast’, ‘Open Marriage’, ‘Festival of Fire’, ‘Wanted Alive’, and ‘When Dreams Fall Apart’ etc

Most Pronounced movie effort– ‘Silent Night’, ‘Full Moon’ and ‘Outcast’.

First pay Cheque– Can’t remember. It was a long tine now

Pay cheque now- Can’t disclose. The wall have ears!

Number of movies done so far- would have done over two hundred movies

Pains of the profession– collapse of the distribution network and lack of government support

Gains of the profession– so many that it will take me a whole day to reel out. But it has been good. This has really open doors

Trivia

Car choice- I am in love with elevated cars. The four wheel range. They are better on our roads.

Inspiration- God. He is the All and All

Hobbies- listening to music, watching movies and of course watching Arsenal play.  

Philosophy about life- Do unto others as you want them to do unto you.

Dislike- Fake people

Likes- Honest, hardworking, caring and God-fearing people

Staying Power: ’It is God and then the passion that has kept people like me going. There are times when you feel like doing something else because you can’t break even, but you keep at it believing that one day you are going to hit it big. It has not been easy. The pirates are everywhere. The DVD market that we made so much money from has practically collapsed. The online market that we should even augment with has now been so saturated. So it is survival for the fittest. But we pray and hope for the best. I believe that things will get better if we get the kind of government and private sector support that we have been yearning for, for decades now. They must help us solve the problem we have with distribution. I like the idea of going to the cinema. But how many movies can possibly be shown there. We need more cinemas and we need to strengthen the other distribution platforms

Biggest wish yet- to worship God all my life

Retirement Plan – Filmmakers don’t retire. They work until they can no longer use their hands. But I am in this until I cannot move my body again. I mean, nothing gives me joy as hitting location to tell a story that people will watch, enjoy and learn something from. So, I will keep at it and just ask God for His grace and uncommon favour on me and my family’’. 

REVIEW

Title- Emotional Pains

Producer- Chico Ejiro

Director- Chico Ejiro

Actors- Richard Mofe Damijo, Eucharia Anunobi, Stella Damasus, Ebi Sam and others

SOON after her wedding to one Greg played by the character-actor Richard Mofe Damijo, Maureen (Eucharia Anunobi) invites her younger sister (with no resemblance at all) Titi (Stella Damasus) to assist with house chores. In between, Maureen travels abroad; to the United Kingdom and Titi her younger sister goes beyond her brief. She chose to date Greg who though didn’t see the relationship beyond just a fling. Well, Maureen returns from the UK and those sweet moments which Greg and Titi shared while she was away turns sour. Moving on now, Titi is pregnant and won’t abort the baby. She is murdered on her way from an appointment she had gone to keep with her long-standing boyfriend Steve (Ebi Sam). The rest of the story from here is devoted to finding out who was responsible for the murder. The case almost became a hard nut for the police to crack until Maureen owns up…

This played out very much as we expected. We have watched so many of these “Emotional this and that” to know that this was going to end up the way it did. But it is a commendable effort. It is particularly so because the younger Ejiro, Chico approaches this from an interesting angle. The movie got, among the ones we saw, an over-the-top rating, especially in the acting department. The fact that Ejiro expanded his cast of actors accounted for this and it really paid off. He engaged Damijo and Damasus as against his traditional lovebirds ‘Ramsey Noah and Stephanie Okereke’. Both Damijo and Damasus gelled. They beat the other recognisable faces in the movie, particularly Ebi Sam to the second place. No Damijo and Damasus arethe stand-out. They are not only convincingly in character, their performance is top notch.

Emotional Love is recommended for general viewing. The suspense at the end is good but the resolution leaves much to be desired. Wonder what Ejiro wanted us to take away from this movie. Is that show of cowardice the best way to protest against such an illicit affair? The chaps here start very well but often times they land badly.

Filmdom Notice Board

Chico Ejiro’s final journey to Ozoro

THE remains of the prolific Nollywood filmmaker, Chico Ejiro was laid to rest in his hometown, Ozoro in Delta North Local Government Area of Delta State. The burial ceremony took place on February 20 and was witnessed by family, friends, fans and his colleagues in the motion picture business. An industry evening of tributes and service of songs was held in his honour at the National Theatre on February 16. The event was attended by big names in the Nollywood industry including Richard Mofe Damijo, Paul Obazele, Desmond Elliot, Francis Onwochei, Ada Ameh, Opa Williams and Segun Arinze who had earlier penned a touching tribute in honour of the filmmaker who was popularly called,  ‘Mr. prolific’.

Arinze recalled how he first met Chico in the ‘90s first on the set of the television series ‘Ripples’ and later while filming the weekly TV series, ‘Fortunes’. But their first close encounter as Arinze recalled was in 1996 when Chico spoke to Arinze about a movie idea that was later titled, ‘Silent Night’.  ‘’He wanted me to play a supporting role. He asked if I wouldn’t mind shaving my hair off because he wanted the character bald. I agreed and that was how we shot ‘Silent Night’ with Ramsey as the lead and me as Black Arrow. A funny conversation happened between us while filming. Black Arrow was to be executed with Stanley (Ramsey) but i suggested to Chico: ‘Why not make Black Arrow escape and then come back in part 2 to avenge his fallen colleagues? He paused, looked at me and spontaneously shouted “Yes!” And that was how the part 2 became a monster hit.

“Chico and I became extremely close from then on and went on to shoot more hits. We became brothers. Chico is one person outside work that will always call to check up on you. He had a way of getting friends out of any problem or mess they found themselves.

‘’There are so many stories I could go on and on to tell about Chico but will save it for my memoirs. We talked so much about remaking ‘Silent Night’ and called it ‘The Return of Black Arrow’. We only just recently signed with a company Nevada BridgeTV for the remake and this happened! Chico my brother, my friend, why did you choose the wrong Grotto on Christmas day? Why the Grotto of death? Adieu, Mr Prolific, Icon, Chico. Sleep on my brother, my friend.’

Here are some scenes recorded at the Industry evening and service of songs for Ejiro:

Filmdom WORD BITES

‘’THE AIFF is one of those intelligent choices my wife (Tope Duker) and I took to leave an indelible mark. I must say that we had a 10-year roadmap at the inception of the festival in 2003. The idea was to start small and grow the festival to an international brand, which is our focus and we are not yet there but like they say a journey of a thousand mile starts with one step and we are still moving with a determined focus to succeed. We are encouraged by the support we have received so far from the media, practitioners and festival enthusiast to keep keeping.’’

“WE have no issues. Not at all. We are sharing in it and we work together. I mean most times we find ourselves sharing work notes and helping ourselves with our lines when it is not sticking. We do that a lot. But in terms of how I cope, I cope well. I mean my husband is the head of the home. There is no competition and I have no plans at all to compete with my husband when it comes to work or anything else. The only time we focus on our work is when we are helping each other with the lines or understanding a character. So that is what we do. We criticise each other works and he has been a great trainer and motivator.’’

Star Fad & Hobbies

The Actor Francis Duru

“IT is mystery to me. I just found out recently that I add weight when I am stressed. So, every human being needs to create a spiritual capacity that he can rely on during stormy times. If you identify with your maker, God, as the ultimate source of the grace that gives you the time to rest, nothing happens to you and that has been my inspiration. I don’t allow anything that will create unnecessary tension and I don’t struggle to impress anyone.  I am an original. There is no other Francis Duru except me. Anything that tries to be like me is a photocopy. So, I cannot try to meet up with your lifestyle because my own lifestyle makes me unique.   So, if you don’t like it, that’s your business because I no send-that’s my slogan’’.

The Actress Esther Ene Audu

“I THINK I just try as much as I can to stay fit, not just for the movies but for my health and appearance as a public figure. I drink lot of water, eat fruits and vegetables, I exercise and then I also find time to rest. In fact, when I am not busy on any set, I stay at home and rest. And resting for me is watching films, reading novels and spending quality time with family and friends.’’

MILE STONES AND ROUGH CUTS

 #Wini Lazarus’s ‘My Body, My Pride’ Is Ready

NOLLYWOOD actress, Wini Lazarus, has dedicated her latest movie, “My Body, My Pride” to Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State. Wini said Bello was deserving of the award because his government recognises women by giving different political appointments to them in his state. Recalling when she set her eyes on the script early last year, Wini said that the various activities of Governor Bello show they both share the same school of thought. Speaking on the similarities, she said her movie is centred on the marriage institution and factors that strengthen the home, adding that Governor Bello is equally toeing same line by empowering women via job provision and appointing a large number in various positions in his state, thereby financially equipping them to support their families, which also translates to building enduring homes and a healthy nation at large. 

Aside Bello, Wini explained that her new project is also dedicated to Dr. Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii and Dr. Felix King Eiremiokhae, for using their respective Foundations in uplifting various homefronts by contributing their lots to women and widows via their foundation. The film also recognises the former first lady of Lagos State, Senator Oluremi Tinubu whose New Era Foundation also has similarities with Wini’s pet project, ‘ building the future’   for senior secondary school students in Nigeria. Speaking on the movie, Wini said: “It is a beautiful family story, about a couple who chose not to give up amid series of matrimonial cobwebs. The story teaches married couple how to live their lives.  “Although it is not my first movie, this takes me a step further from acting.” She described the entire scenario in the film as very interesting. Stars in the movie include Eddie Watson, Peggy Ovire, Wini Lazarus and Monica Friday.

#David Oyelowo’s film to open PAFF 2021:

DAVID Oyelowo’sfeature directorial debut ‘The Water Man’ will open the 29^th edition of the​ Pan African Film Festival​ which begins on February 28 in Los Angeles. The Opening Night celebration​will be held virtually at 6:30 p.m. PT while ​the Pan African Film Festival will take place virtually February 28 – March 14. ‘The Water Man’ is a fantasy-adventure film about a young boy named Gunner (Lonnie Chavis) who sets out on a quest to save his sick mother (Rosario Dawson) by searching for a mythic figure who knows the secret to immortality. Gunner enlists the help of a mysterious local girl (Amiah Miller) who has her own terrifying tale of meeting this figure, known as the Water Man, face-to-face. Together they journey into the remote Wild Horse forest, but the deeper they venture, the stranger and more dangerous the forest becomes. Back home, Gunner’s father, Amos (Oyelowo), who has grown distant from Gunner over the years, will stop at nothing to find his son — and in the process discovers who his son really is. Aside Oyelowo, the film’s stellar ensemble cast also includes, Rosario Dawson, Lonnie Chavis, Amiah Miller, Alfred Molina, and Maria Bello. Details of the festival can be sourced at www.paff.org.