Respected for his versatility, John Okafor's career has seen him traversing some major aspects of the movie-making chain before he found fame in acting. Fondly called, Mr. Ibu, he discusses his work and life in this interview with Friday Flavour's NGOZI EMEDOLIBE. Excerpts:
You must be busy at the moment with the resurgence of comic movies?
I have always been busy. In fact, sometimes I wish the hours of the day could be stretched so that my schedule would be accommodated within that time frame. If I am not shooting movies, I am doing shows in Nigeria or abroad. It has never been a dull moment.
I do not think it has anything to do with the resurgence of films in this line. The truth is that Nigerians want to laugh. If you go out, you will realise how much Nigerians need to laugh. If we should borrow from what doctors usually say about one needing to laugh to stay healthy and going by the economy, people need to laugh.
How did you discover the humour in you?
It does not take a lot to discover. It is something that lies within and the truth is that nobody forces it. The moment you have it, it will show. I grew up in an environment where everything was fun and I naturally picked that way of life.
It is not something you jump into and begin to do, because it must flow from within you. One thing people do not know about me is that my grandfather was a funny man. In fact, Ibu was his name. He has remained a great source of inspiration and sometimes I do borrow his lines for my work today.
There are many versions to how you entered Nollywood. Did you really start as a production manager?
I started as a production assistant. I am one of the few people who have gone through the rungs and you know when you start that way, it affords you the opportunity to begin from the scratch and understudy a lot of people. That is the beauty of being a creative person. When they ask you to do something and you do it well, you could be tried in other fields someday and that is how it continues.
Why didn't you remain a production manager, since Nollywood believes you are one of the best?
Is that what Nollywood believes? But I am also someone that likes to experiment. I always paint pictures in my mind and once my heart asks me to follow up, I go for it. That is my nature. Perhaps, I would have been great as a production manager, because Nollywood says so, but I think I like what I am doing.
The reason is because I enjoy it. This is what I am naturally cut out for. People tend to say he behaves like a fool and laugh, but the truth is that I enjoy doing so.
Has it denied you anything?
Not really, instead it has added to me. I get some favour wherever I go because of this. There are people who see me and show love and affection in ways that make me marvel; and I thank God for making me a part of other people's lives. You know as actors we are not only part of our lives but also part of other people's lives. While Nigerians show some affection, I get double of that whenever I travel abroad.
It is rumoured that South Africans are crazy about you?
That is a confirmation of how big our industry is. Nigeria used to be popular with 419, but now the trend is changing. Nollywood is bringing the country the rebranding the millions of dollars and naira so far spent could not achieve. That is why Nollywood personalities are easily recognisable in Europe and America today; that is the power of art and culture. As a matter of fact, I have done some projects in South Africa and they appreciated all the efforts.
So what works are you currently handling?
Works are lined up for me. But I have special interest in the movie I want to produce, which is taking me to America in July. It is called, Mr. Ibu in America. The script has been completed and it is collaboration between me and some Americans.
Is this your first movie as a producer?
No. I have been producing since I became a producer; i.e. since I produced my first movie. Producing is another challenge entirely, which I also enjoy.
Honestly, I make conscious efforts to make sure I produce at least one movie every year.
Are there years you produced more?
Of course, you know that aside producing my own film, I also produce for others. But I make sure I produce at least one from my own stable every year. I have not lost that dream.
Ideally must your movie dwell on comedy?
Yes, I am in the business of humour. For my own efforts, it must be comedy.
For others, it would be what they want. So, you can also see me producing action movies or drama for others people.
Which would you like to be described as– a producer or actor?
I will leave that to people to decide, but I am a little bit of both. The two jobs are quite challenging. Acting makes you assume a new personality.
Producing also requires a lot of time, because it tasks your ability to manage both men and resources. When people ask me which one is challenging, I tell them that getting the money and staking it on what you can't predict the outcome is not a joke. Sometimes, you may have used the only parcel of land your father left you or your car and if it turns out bad, you are back to square one.
The actor is just there; interpret the role and go to sleep. So it is not easy being a producer in this context, because when you produce, you follow the film up from the premieres to the release.
With the activities of piracy, you would be praying to God that you recoup your money before one boy on the street gives you another version of the work you have been in the studio sweating to put together.
The issue of your kidnap was very well celebrated. How much did you pay to get out of the den?
Honestly, I did not pay anything. I did not give them one naira.
But I heard you were asked to pay N4m?
I will tell you what happened. When they attacked and seized me, blindfolded me and took me to the house, I was just calm wondering what was going on. Of course, I thought it was because I am an actor. But when the main man came later, he shook his head on seeing me.
He felt he has caught a big fish?
Well, he looked at me and looked at his boys and told them that they have kidnapped the wrong person. He mandated them to treat me nicely and while in their 'detention', they enjoyed me because they were laughing.
Despite the nature of their business, I would make a joke out of every situation and they would laugh. While there, they never maltreated me. They never ordered me around and when I was being released, they apologised to me.
At the time it happened, a lot of your colleagues suffered the same fate. Has it changed your perception of Enugu?
I still like Enugu. Enugu is still one of the best cities in this country despite what happened to me. In fact, when I want to cool off after so much stress, the city that comes to my mind is Enugu.
The experience has not changed the way I feel about Enugu.
Are you worried about the fate of Igbo language films?
The awareness is coming back and I like the attention it is getting now.
Personally, I produce movies in Igbo language, English language and also French. I will not blame the producers; I will urge Igbos to create an appetite for the films produced in their language. By so doing, the producers would have the urge to produce more. Whether you like it or not, that is the only way the beautiful Igbo heritage can be passed on to the generation coming up.
I have also realised that when Igbo language films are produced, they are consumed mostly abroad, especially amongst parents who want their kids to be in touch with home. By and large, the production of Igbo language movies is improving now. People are responding positively to Igbo language films now. Many are in the works as I am talking to you. It can, however, get better.
This can be done by some investors also coming out to support the cause.
Nollywood as an industry is looking better than what it was in the past? What do you think is responsible?
I think the industry is growing. While the sale of films in Nigeria may have reduced, other markets have been developed.
If you go to some of these African countries, Nigerian films are widely sold there. I will agree that some of them, if not majority, are pirated but they have done one good thing for our country. That is why the government needs to stamp their feet about helping the industry.
What do you want the government to do?
First of all, I want government to stop giving money to Actors Guild of Nigeria. It annoys me when I hear that this government or that has given some amount to actors. Government should concentrate on providing infrastructures that would make the business of movie making thrive.
With all the money they have collected, actors do not have a place where they can stay as office; that is why actors move from one hotel to another. When they want to hold auditions, they go to a hotel.
That is the reason people think actors are not serious people because the people have a way of reasoning when they see someone in a hotel from morning till night.
Government should strive and provide some things like Artistes' Village all around the country, where the business of art could be transacted. There could be cinemas and studios there, so that people in that locality can get all their production needs in one arena.
This idea of moving from one hotel to another is causing pain for a lot of people.
How do you mean?
For instance I know an actress, a decent girl at that, who wanted to pursue acting but her father disinherited her because he went to a hotel where they were having an audition and saw his daughter there! The man was mad.
He could not understand which career someone will be pursuing in a hotel that is not Hotel Management. That is why government from local government to state to federal should stop giving cash.
What would you tell fathers who react like this to their daughters?
I will not tell them anything, it is left for us to get our acts together.
When a father hears that you are pursuing a movie career in a hotel, he would misconstrue you.
What will you tell many young men aspiring to be like Mr. Ibu?
I will tell them not to aspire to be like Mr. Ibu or anybody. They should just try and be themselves. It is by being yourself that the original being in you comes out. They should stay focused, believe in their dreams and pursue it without letting any distractions hinder them.
Can we talk about your family?
No, I want to leave them out of the media for now. For obvious reason, I want to leave them.
National Mirror