Nigerian Movie Star Profile
Amiable movie actor, Emeka Ossai, came into showbiz first as a model, rose
to the top as one time Nigeria’s number one model before coming to Nollywood
to showcase his skills and talent.
Ossai, through sagacity and dexterity rose to the pinnacle of his career in
Nollywood as a talented actor-cum-seasoned producer.
However, the bubble burst in 2000, when Jennifer, his pretty actress wife,
died thereby leaving him shattered and crestfallen.
However, seven years after that sad episode in his life, Delta State-born
Ossai, is bouncing back to the industry where he once held sway.
In this interview with Daily Sun, the widower, spoke passionately about his
latest project, a new movie about AIDS, entitled: Checkered Fate. He also
painfully opened up on his late wife, women in his chequered love life,
plans and the shape of things to come from him this new year.
New Project
My latest project is my new movie entitled: Checkered Fate. The world
premiere recently took place at City Mall Cinemas and it was successful.
Right now, we are not sure of the date of its release on VCD and DVD
nationwide. Being a very good film with a good contemporary storyline, it
has enjoyed patronage from different agencies.
Going to the Cinemas
All I want to say is that aside my outfit, Motorola is also partnering with
Nollywood to take the film to the next level.
One of things that encouraged Motorola to partner with us was the film
itself. It’s high time, we started producing socially relevant films. I am a
pioneer of this industry and I know very well that when we started this
industry, we were treating issue-based stories. Films that will change the
society for better, until impostors hijacked the industry and threw it to
the dogs. Today, we are going back to the good old days.
For me, the next level is departing from the status quo and moving to the
stage of making films that would make national and global impacts. Films
that its qualities can be ascertained by those who call themselves films
critics and pundits.
Message
Well, like I said earlier on that from the outset, many organizations wanted
to partner with us. They told me that the theme would help in propagating
the Catholic faith regarding the dreaded disease. The movie treats mainly
abstinence, mutual fidelity and responsible sex live as against the use of
condom. They felt we could use my movie as a contemporary avenue to spread
the message of having a responsible sex life.
A true life story?
It was not a true life story, but inspired by true happenings. I am an
unrepentant optimist; I hate the dark side of life. All the AIDS campaigns I
had seen dealt with death and other gory things. I thought that wasn’t the
best way to carry on with the campaign. Recently, the campaign globally has
changed from celebrating death to life.
I also used the movie to bring to the consciousness of Nigerians the new
direction in the campaign on AIDS globally.
Target Audience
The main targets are youths and young people in secondary schools. The
impact this movie will make in the society is of more concern to me than the
monetary gains.
Checkered Fate
The story revolves around a man called Osaro, he had a chequered life; he’s
usually battling with one problem or the other. His life is full of ups and
downs, but the problem got to a head when he tested positive to HIV/AIDS.
When I was conceptualizing this movie, the new campaign of social
responsibility as regard sex, had not started.
Then the people preached death. And I’m happy my film is out to advise
people to zip up and live a socially responsible life.
Issue-based themes
It was borne out of social responsibility of Emeka Ossai as an individual
and that of Golden Pyramid Production as a corporate entity. It is my little
contribution in the fight against the scourge of HIV/AIDS. My first film,
Thorns of Rose, treated in detail, the issue of child abandonment, in 1996.
I’m a social critic and a commentator.
Break from Nollywood
You knew a lot happened that period, the film, Thorns of Rose, was co
produced with my late wife-Jennifer, it was supposed to have a sequel, but
that didn’t happen, it came out in 1996. And if you remember very well, my
wife died in 2000. I am one person who believes in maximizing returns on
investments. I also don’t believe in churning out films everyday.
I lost my wife in the process of trying to have a sequel to my first movie
and it would be very irresponsible of me to carry on as usual, when that
happened. Also, there was a lot of backlash after her death, sentiments here
and there. All that I needed then was to give myself a little break and that
I did.
Second marriage
Well, I’m not somebody who erroneously fixes deadlines in anything that I
do. It could be tomorrow, next month or even next year. The truth is that
there has always been somebody in my life.
Life without late wife
Well, I’ve been trying my possible best, but it has not been easy because of
the kind of relationship that existed between us. With that kind of
relationship and friendship, finding a replacement had not been easy.
Plans of going into politics
Severally, I’ve been compelled but have not seen enough reason to yield to
that suggestion. I believe in finishing what I start. I know that yielding
might not be the best decision to take. Right now, I want to consolidate on
my primary.
Background
I’m Emeka Ossai, from Ndokwa West LGA of Delta State. I am the first of
several children, and my parents are still alive. I read Food Technology, at
the University of Agric, Ogun State. I am a pioneer movie maker/actor. I
started as a model and was one time Nigeria’s number one model.
Coping with female fans
I am used to staying in among women and have always known how to handle
them. I started modelling as a secondary school leaver. Let me also state it
that Okey Ogunjiofor invited me to the set of Circle of Doom. The modelling
industry was a booming one before film came.
Biggest problem facing Nollywood
Our major problem is the quality of our practitioners. We have very low
quality practitioners, in all the departments and the structures that made
up Nollywood.
Way forward
The way forward is very difficult to chart, because it is not an industry
you can censor. It is a free market and that is why we have impostors
everywhere. If the industry can be empowered enough for those who have the
right ideas and the right films to function, then it can move forward.
Filmography:
Greatest Weapon,
Executive Mess,
Dead End,
Tel:571-247-2679 email:contact@nigeriamovies.net
