Juliet, the 'big dreamer'

She has been off the screens and has kept a low profile on the showbiz front for almost four years sending fans of Juliet Asante wondering where she has been.

Well, although the Chief Executive Officer of Eagle Productions  was away to further her education at Havard Kennedy School in the US, she didn't part ways with her love for the arts and entertainment and is back with a new innovation.

Unlike her previous productions like Oh! Baby and Secrets which were all TV series, Juliet describes her new 'baby' Mobilefliks as a 'revolution' in the entertainment sector.

Showbiz caught up with her last Monday and the first question that popped up was, 'what is Mobilefliks?'

With excitement dancing on her face, Juliet who describes herself as a 'big dreamer' said 'Mobilefliks which will be launched in Accra on November 6 is about mobile movies made specially for mobile phones. The films tell complete stories in just 10 minutes,' she said.

Juliet who  also edited Entertainment Today, an entertainment magazine with a corresponding television programme went on to throw more light on her new 'baby.'

' You know, research has shown that more people in Ghana own mobile phones than televisions thus there has to be more innovative ways to make the use of mobile phones more entertaining.

'Mobilefliks bring movies to your phone, anytime, anywhere.   There should never be a dull moment for mobile phone users. Ghana is the first country in Africa to experience this.

'It is a new creation and users of any smart phone can download the Mobilefliks app and watch movies. It is convenient, cost effective and a good source of entertainment. It is however not to take the place of movies.

'We have had negotiations with some of the mobile networks like MTN, Airtel, Tigo and we are still talking with Vodafone to get on board. Meanwhile Airtel Money users can access Mobilefliks even though it is yet to be launched,' she said.

Away from that, Juliet who has also served in various capacities including President of Women in Film and Television Chapter in Ghana and Director of Save Our Women International, an NGO talked about  the challenges she had to face as a woman to achieve her dreams.

'In our part of the world, there are various factors that limit the woman and most women have bought into the idea that you need to behave in a particular way just because you are a woman.

'I always seize the opportunity to let people know that I am a determined young woman who likes to dream big and  work hard to achieve them. I don't believe that I am inferior because of my sex. '

'What most people do not know is that I am a very academic person   and I always want to gain more knowledge. My two years' experience at Harvard Kennedy School where I read Masters in Public Administration  was the most difficult and challenging moments in my life but it was worth it. I gained new insights into world business and learnt many things that complemented my dreams.

'It was so hectic that at a point in time, I started losing my hair because it was more than stressful for me. I don't ever regret that experience since it has toughened and strengthened my belief in the saying that 'no pain, no gain''

Touching on her background, Juliet said 'I don't come from a privileged home at all. I didn't even attend a grade B school in the country but I didn't allow my background to limit me in my life. My family lived in Liberia and I can vividly recall how we lost everything and didn't even own a cooking utensil on our return to the country during the war.

'It was difficult for my family and that is why my story has always been inspirational. I worked hard to get here. It was a journey of thorns but  hard work and determination got me here'.

It appears however that these very fine qualities threatened to undermine her love life because men flew away in the face of her growing success.

'The few men that I've dated are comfortable with me as long as they don't know who I am, but everything changes the moment they realise that I'm quite an ambitious person with a lot going on for me.

'Well, now,  I am happy to have found a wonderful man who understands me. He is intelligent and complements me in many ways. So now as many would want to know, Juliet is in a serious relationship' she said smiling.

Juliet, a product of the National Film and Television Institute (NAFTI) said she loves being behind the camera but  bemoaned the lack of resources as a major challenge for film producers to churn out quality materials to compete on the global market.

As an actress, she has featured in many movies including Twin Lovers, Fresh Blood, Tears of Blood, Ripples, Deadly Voyage and Thread of Ananse.

Juliet who is a proud mother of a 13-year-old daughter is a product of the Cape Coast University and the Harvard Kennedy University.

She is the second of five children born to Mr John Asante of Akwamufie in the Eastern Region and Madam Stella Obeng from Cape Coast in the Central Region.

As an ambassador for MIT Legatum Centre Catalyst Forum, Juliet is an ardent advocate of education and believes that every child must not be denied access to education because 'education is the key that  unlocks many opportunities' she added.

By Gifty Owusu-Amoah/Graphic Showbiz/Ghana