EMEM ISONG GETS READY FOR PREMIERE OF THE YEAR
By nigeriafilms.com - NigeriaFilms.comNollywood Exclusive | Fri, 23 Oct 2009
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It seems Nollywood is not quite done with premieres. Just when we thought we had seen 'em all, we received feelers from the camp of Emem Isong that she is about to hit the town with the world premiere of 'Guilty Pleasures'. I decided to investigate and managed to track down the busy Producer and this is what went down.
BA: Hello Emem.
Emem: How are you Bola?
BA: I hear you are hitting town with another premiere.
Emem: What do you mean another premiere? I haven't done one this year?
BA: Really? Well, it wasn't so long ago that you did one for the film, “Reloaded”.
Emem: That was last year. This is another year.
BA: So are you premiering 'Guilty Pleasures' in Nigeria?
Emem: Yes I am. Im premiering 'Guilty Pleasures' and 'Nollywood Hustler'; two films I co-produced with people. One, Guilty Pleasures I co produced with Desmond Elliot and the other Nollywood Hustler with Uche Jombo.
BA: Why do you like co-producing with others?
Emem: Because, we each have our strengths and weakness. We bring out the best in each other. Truly great productions have to do with teamwork. We are a greater team when we work together.
BA: So why do you want to premiere these films?
Emem: Because I know I have winners in them.
BA: Please explain.
Emem: Sometimes when you do films you know there are some that stand out. These two do. Mind you, Im not saying my other films are not good.
BA: Tell us more about the films.
Emem: Well one 'Nollywood Hustler' is a hilarious comedy about the behind-the scenes look at how films are made in Nollywood. It is star-studded with some of the actors acting as themselves. Others did cameo appearances. It's a must see! The other 'Guilty Pleasures' is a love story…intense and passionate… a pampered, bored, house wife feels emotionally neglected by her husband, a controlling busy business executive. On the other hand they are visited by his happy-go-lucky, attractive brother-in-law.
BA: Then what happens?
Emem: (smiling) Find out at the Premiere!!
(Laughter) Continued
Source: nigeriafilms.com - NigeriaFilms.com
BA: Hello Emem.
Emem: How are you Bola?
BA: I hear you are hitting town with another premiere.
Emem: What do you mean another premiere? I haven't done one this year?
BA: Really? Well, it wasn't so long ago that you did one for the film, “Reloaded”.
Emem: That was last year. This is another year.
BA: So are you premiering 'Guilty Pleasures' in Nigeria?
Emem: Yes I am. Im premiering 'Guilty Pleasures' and 'Nollywood Hustler'; two films I co-produced with people. One, Guilty Pleasures I co produced with Desmond Elliot and the other Nollywood Hustler with Uche Jombo.
BA: Why do you like co-producing with others?
Emem: Because, we each have our strengths and weakness. We bring out the best in each other. Truly great productions have to do with teamwork. We are a greater team when we work together.
BA: So why do you want to premiere these films?
Emem: Because I know I have winners in them.
BA: Please explain.
Emem: Sometimes when you do films you know there are some that stand out. These two do. Mind you, Im not saying my other films are not good.
BA: Tell us more about the films.
Emem: Well one 'Nollywood Hustler' is a hilarious comedy about the behind-the scenes look at how films are made in Nollywood. It is star-studded with some of the actors acting as themselves. Others did cameo appearances. It's a must see! The other 'Guilty Pleasures' is a love story…intense and passionate… a pampered, bored, house wife feels emotionally neglected by her husband, a controlling busy business executive. On the other hand they are visited by his happy-go-lucky, attractive brother-in-law.
BA: Then what happens?
Emem: (smiling) Find out at the Premiere!!
(Laughter) Continued
Comments To This Article
4 readers have commented so far on this story. And below this page is a sample of the latest comments published. Or you can also click view all to read all comments that readers have sent in.
CONGRATULATIONS
LINDA | NY-NY (United States) | 10/23/2009 7:47:00 PM
CONGRATULATIONS HONEY GREAT JOB
EMEM ISONG, I DISAGREE ! ! !
Emeka | London-UK (United Kingdom) | 10/24/2009 11:37:00 AM
Emem Isong, you have made some controversial statements in this interview, and I want to address them. When your interviewer, Biola, told you that certain movie producers are working on films with themes very similar to your films, " Edikan " and " Guilty Pleasures ", this was what you said :".....They say.....if its not the original it can never be like the original. It is sad that some colleagues have to resort to waiting for you to do all the thinking and brainwork only for them to bring out cheap knock-offs ! My advice to them is to desist from this unsavory act and use their talents to do something more productive. There are so many topics one can explore.....why copy what another person has done? "
My first comment is that I am very shocked that a renowned movie producer could make the above statements. Emem Isong, in case you still feel that these statements are justified, I shall attempt to convince you otherwise.
Now, by the above statements, you imply that when a movie producer tackles a subject in a movie, that movie becomes the last word on the subject. First of all, if that is the case, Nollywood would be producing about five to ten movies in a year. We know that Nollywood actually produces a lot more movies than that evey year. I have watched several Nollywood movies that tackle the subject of rape, divorce, widohood, armed robbery, and so on. Secondly, do you realise that your statements imply, that the subjects tackled by you in all the movies you have produced to date, were originated by you ? Do you think this true ? Seriously, are you beginning to see how ridiculous your statements sound?
Emem Isong, do you now agree, based on my arguments in the preceding paragraph, that there is no justifiable basis for you to make such devastating disparaging remarks about the work of your producer colleagues ? Did you ever think some of them could find your comments insulting ? Suppose you were told that after reading your comments, some of your angry colleagues brushed them aside as " the empty words of an over-rated twit ", would you be happy with such a comment ? I am not sure you would. I think I have made my points.
The overall conclusion I draw from your comments is that a lot is wrong at Nollywood. I think that it is not only AGN that cannot keep its house in order. I think the entire Nollywood may have splintered into several unfriendly factions, with each faction catering independently for its own members. That can never be good for the industry. And, by the way, are these the same people that will be at the forefront of rebranding Nigeria ( whatever that word means ) ? I wonder !
Reply to interview with Emem
Ruby | Lagos-Naija (Nigeria) | 10/25/2009 2:47:00 PM
My friend go and sleep! You have no point! There is nothing wrong with what Emem has said. Why should someone work hard to come up with an idea and others sit in the corner waiting to copy? Nollywood is full of copy-cats with no imagination! If the one that is selling has juju lets put juju! If the reigning one is cult, put cult...okay love is reigning now o! They join the band wagon! So my friend go and sleep and stop being jealous! Show me what you have done in terms of film then if its better than hers you can talk! You overrated twit! Ptcheeeew!
