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Hello again George.
Congratulations on the completion of your new film;
Heavy Mama in London.
What is the film about?
George: Thanks. Heavy Mama in London is a comedy
which is instigated by a love triangle. It centers on Kassan
(Preston Toghanro), a multi- millionaire who spends a great
part of his matrimonial life as a Casanova. He does this
with the assistance of Emeka (Jim Iyke) leading to a
dramatic twist which lands Kassan’s wife, Ngozi literally in
a boxing ring with her best friend Ifeoma. The movie is
based on a true life story
but I have decided to adopt a
comic approach to the storyline.
Did you write the film as well?
George: Yes, I did in 2005 but kept developing it. I
guess a good script needs time to mature, just like vintage
wine.
Are you more challenged by writing or by directing?
George: As a final year law student, I guess I am
quite comfortable with writing large volumes of literature,
including movie scripts. I would say I am more challenged by
directing because I believe that shoddy directing quite
often ruins a good script.
You have made Heavy Mama in London as a comedy. Brave.
Given that generally, a joke does not travel as far as a
kick in the groin. Do you have any expectations about
conquering the world with this movie, will your
international audiences get Nigerian funny takes?
George: Certainly. Various independent reviews have
confirmed the fact that Heavy Mama in London is one of a
kind. It was shot across the choicest locations in the
beautiful city of London. This is coupled with the wonderful
performances of Jim Iyke and Preston Toghanro (UK’s rib
cracker), Tessy Kuale, Theodora Ibekwe, Tyna Gibah and many
more actors from Brazil, Jamaica, etc. Heavy Mama in London
is in a class by itself. It cuts across various
nationalities and would certainly conquer the world.
What are the great Nollywood comedies you believe
Heavy Mama will be compared with?
George: Like I said before, Heavy Mama in London is in a
class by itself. I admire the comic performances in Nek
Woo’s movies but I’d love to think of Heavy Mama in London
as breath of fresh air which will add a new kind of flavour
to Nigerian comedy in particular and African movies in
general.
You have mentioned some stars that feature in the film
such as Jim Iyke and Preston Toghanro. What was it like
working with them?
George: There are of course Tessy Kuale, Theodora
Ibekwe, and Tyna Gibah. Working with them was very
challenging but quite rewarding. Jim Iyke and Preston
Toghanro bonded very quickly even though they met each other
for the very first time. The sessions were generally very
hectic but I’m glad that our hard work has paid off in the
end.
What difference will Heavy Mama make to the history of
Nollywood?
George. The movie is devoid of adverts which millions
of Nollywood fans find too long, very boring, and
irritating. The intro comprises a montage of various
original and colourful clips from all over London. Heavy
Mama in London will go down in the history of Nollywood for
its different style and fast pace.
How long have you been in the film business and how
did you become a movie director?
George: I started in the year 2000. That was in
Nigeria. I wrote a script for, and directed the musical
videos, Zongo Zongo and Ago Makosa. I later returned to the
United Kingdom to study film production. I have since been
involved with various underground projects, but decided to
come out of my shell with Heavy Mama in London.
Are you expecting any problems with distribution of
Heavy Mama given that it was made outside Nigeria, will the
Pound Road/Upper Iweka brothers pose any problems for you?
George: I once had a stint at distributing music in
Aba and Onitsha. I understand the mentality of the Pound
Road/Upper Iweka brothers. One of them has already mocked me
by offering to buy the movie for a ridiculous amount. I am
not easily blown away by the mention of millions of Naira. I
have established various distribution contacts in Spain,
Italy, Holland, the UK, etc. The movie is on DVD, at 100%
quality. I do not intend to compromise my quality and hard
work. If the Pound Road/Upper Iweka brothers want the
product, the price has to be right. I love Nigeria and I
made the movie for Nigerians and people from other
nationalities.
Is Heavy Mama a complete film with a beginning a
middle and an end, or have you left the conflicts raised in
the film unresolved in typical Nollywood tradition to ensure
a part 2 or even a part 3?
George: Despite being set in the UK, Heavy Mama in
London is a Nollywood product. As a comedy, it entertains
you from start to finish. However, if our audience want more
fun and laughter at a short notice, then the answer will be
a sequel.
You don’t want to say if there will be a part 2?
George: From the kind of feedback we are already
receiving. People are already asking for a part two. It is
very likely that we may go down that road, but nothing is
set to stone yet.
After Heavy Mama in London, what is next for you?
George: I have written a number of synopses, out of
which I can draw out and develop my next movie. For now, I
prefer to keep the details of such project under wraps.
Offer a brief assessment of the state of Nigerian film
industry at the moment, and where do you think the industry
will be in ten years?
George: Some 15 years ago, to be quite honest, I wasn’t
really a fan of Nigerian movies because I found the sound
and picture quality on a lot of them unacceptable. To be
quite honest, we were capable of doing great stuff even
then. Television productions such as Cock Crow at Dawn,
Mirror in the Sun etc were quite good.
Nevertheless, we have since made some improvements along
those lines. However, a lot still need to be learnt. Digital
technology has been of tremendous help, but we need to learn
to do things the right way. If we do, our movies will become
more relevant within the international movie circuit.
Do you have any personal heroes in Nollywood?
George: I strongly admire the likes of Pete Edochie,
Nkem Owoh and Desmond Elliot. There are of course the
vibrant and fiery retinue of actresses.
Finally, is there anything I should have, but have not
asked you today?
George: Well, the sun does not shine only for one
day. I just wish to promise all movie enthusiasts out there
that I will continue to deliver high quality movies. It’s
about time we embraced the perfectionist culture. So long as
I continue to strive for excellence in my productions, I
will continue to shine and grow from strength to strength.
Heavy Mama will officially be released on DVD tomorrow the
4th of October, 2008 in London.
There are clips of the movie on You Tube for viewing. So
far, the movie has received so many accolades across the
world. To all our fans, the cast and crew of Heavy Mama in
London want to thank you for all your positive comments so
far. We promise that our second production will be heavily
loaded with a lot more flavour than you’d ever imagine.
Thanks.
Thanks for talking to NF today, George. Good luck with
the launch on Saturday.
George: Thank you Nnorom, keep up the good work and
good luck with your Eastern Light project and the Nollywood
Focus Magazine.
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Nollywood Focus. All rights reserved. |
