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Bringing up ‘Anchor Baby’
Bringing up ‘Anchor Baby’
Nigeria’s film
industry is enjoying a good moment, going by the number of
international collaborations and world class movie premieres it has
witnessed lately. Film and music producer, Lonzo Nzekwe, joins the
growing number of producers tapping into the vibrant movie sector with
his ‘Anchor Baby’.
Though set in the
United States, the movie was shot in Brampton and Hamilton, Canada,
where Nzekwe is based; and features an international cast including
Nigeria’s Omoni Oboli and Ghanaian born Sam Sarpong.
The movie explores
issues of migration in the US and other developed countries as typified
by a Nigerian couple living in the US. He shares his story with NEXT.
I hear you are a self-taught filmmaker
I started buying
books and watching a lot of DVDs on making movies. That’s how I learned
how to direct and produce films. As an editor, it allowed me to see the
final film in my head prior to shooting it. After my training and
studying on my own, I wrote, directed and produced my first feature
film, ‘Anchor Baby’. I am currently shopping it for distribution. You
will be amazed at the wealth of information one can get from watching
those. I read a lot of books on how to make independent films and also
bought the 2 Day Film School DVD by Dov Simmens. I studied those
religiously until I felt I was ready. I am a very creative person, so I
guess it helped in the process.
I watched a lot of
films; both the good and bad ones just to know what to do and what not
to do. I also watch the “making of films” which is always at the end of
most original movie DVDs.
What prompted the decision to leave Nigeria for Canada?
I left Nigeria
when I was about 22 years old and back then I was a basketball player,
playing for the Imo State basketball team on the national level. Back
then, the only thing I wanted to do was to obtain a university
scholarship in the US and go play college basketball. I wanted to make
it to the NBA by all means. I got a few schools interested in me but
for some reason, things weren’t falling into the right places. I got
frustrated and moved out of Nigeria. I lived in the UK and US prior to
moving to Canada. I guess I went to Canada because of the great
opportunities there. Recently, I started developing a very strong
passion for making movies and that’s how ‘Anchor Baby’ started.
IJE, which
premiered recently, touched on migration issues, so does your movie,
‘Anchor Baby’. Is this borne out of personal experience?
No ,it’s not a
personal story and it’s not based on any particular anyone’s
experience. The things which happened to the characters the movie is
totally insane so I will be shocked to find anyone who passed through
the same experience.
‘Anchor Baby’ is a
term used mostly for babies born by illegal immigrants and other non-
citizens in the United State. The movie is a highly emotional story of
a Nigerian illegal immigrant couple on a daring journey to achieve the
American Dream for their unborn child. A lot of times, people forget
that these illegal immigrants are humans who want the same good things
in life, just like everyone else. This movie, I know helps put a human
face to the migrants’ struggle and what they go through as well as the
drastic steps they take to achieve their set goals .
It also paints a
vivid picture of the kids, who are the actual victims under these
circumstances. Hopefully, it will raise discussions to address the main
reasons why a person will leave his or her home country and then go
through that struggle.
Why did you cast Omoni Oboli as the lead actress?
When I wrote the
script, I wanted someone who could transform the script and bring it to
life. I hired a professional casting director to audition all the
actors I used in the movie. I sat through all the auditions and
handpicked every character in the movie. When I watched a few of
Omoni’s movies, I was convinced that she possessed the ability to
transform the script. I also carried out a brief background check on
her and spoke to her extensively on the phone to find out more about
her. That was when I decided she was the one. Though, a few of my
production crew were against me flying her all the way from Nigeria but
I told them that there was something I saw in her which they did not.
Afterwards, I realised they were waiting to see what she was going to
bring to the table. So, from the first day Omoni got on the set, I took
her aside and told her that ‘Anchor Baby’ was her movie. Right away,
she took over the show and set a standard on the set which every other
actor had to follow. That decision was one the best decision I made in
the earlier stages of production.
Is this a big budget movie?
Well, depending on
the standard you are looking at it from; it is a low budget film if you
compare it to the American standard. I say that because even one
million dollars is considered a low budget film in North America. But
as a Nollywood film, it is a very huge budget film. I cannot even give
you a figure because we are still in post production and promoting the
movie as we speak. All these are expenses that are going to be
calculated into the budget. Financing the movie was a major challenge
because I do not have any track record to show any financier, so I had
to use personal funds and also got some help from close family members.
Another big challenge was bringing the two lead acts (Omoni Oboli and
Sam Sarpong) from Nigeria and the USA to Canada for the movie. Due to
delays in travel arrangements, Omoni and Sam came in just a few days
before we started principal photography.
Do you think Anchor Baby will be a success in Nigeria?
Oh, for sure. I
know a lot of Nigerians will easily connect to the story. I mean how
many Nigerians come to the US to have their babies? Almost everyone has
a friend or relative who was born in the US or Europe. These babies are
what the US term as ‘Anchor Babies’. Most Nigerian parents regardless
of their economic background will like to see their child succeed by
providing a better opportunity for the child [from birth]; and that’s
exactly what I tried to portray in the movie. Though sometimes, the
struggle might not be the right thing to do and could be detrimental to
everyone involved.
I have a great
passion in making films and I want to win than the next man. I come
from a sports background and I’m very competitive. That alone has
gotten me this far in the game. I had almost 40 actors with speaking
roles and about 60 extras in this movie. I had Caucasian, Hispanic,
Asian and African characters playing major roles in the movie. That
alone attracts people of other nationalities to ‘Anchor Baby’ right
away. As a matter of fact, if I was a Hispanic writer and director,
Omoni and Sam’s characters would have been Hispanic characters and the
story would not change.
Piracy is a big issue here in Nigeria, how do you intend to manage that?
That is a tough
one because it is a major problem all over the world. The government
should set up a strong body to tackle the problem. We should also
support the cinema culture which is making a big comeback in Nollywood.
That way, the producer can recoup most of his money and be able to make
another film. My intention is to release ‘Anchor Baby’ in the theatres
in Nigeria before [going] into DVD.I do not think the problem can be
completely eradicated, but I believe it can be controlled to a certain
level. That is the more reason why Nigerians, and Africans as a whole,
should support the cinema industry. If a producer can screen a movie in
the theatre prior to the DVD release, chances are that he will recoup
some, before going for DVD release.
‘Anchor Baby’ premieres in Nigerian Cinemas on December 10.
STUDIO VISIT: Midahuen Yves
STUDIO VISIT: Midahuen Yves
Why Art?
When I was in
primary school, my teacher used to send me to draw pictures on the
blackboard and friends with whom I went to school usually said: Midy,
you have the talent. I will say I had it inside me and it came out when
the time came. I was not forced; it is a pleasure for me to do Art.
Training
I got my training
with a senior artist in Cotonou. After that, I went to College of Art,
University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana, to further my
training. I also came to Agbarha Otor, the annual workshops organised
by Bruce Onobrakpeya. I got to learn things that I added to my work
there. I have been to the Agbarha Otor workshops five times now and I
enjoy it because I see friends there.
Medium
I use acrylic and I
also use coffee. I experimented with coffee and the result was okay so
I continued. Coffee is good for giving a painting an old effect. To get
the old effect, you mix it with acrylic. You just pour hot water on it
and mix it with acrylic. I learnt it from one of the senior artists in
Benin but I also experimented to get my own result. The way I use
coffee to work is different from the way I learned to use it.
Influences
I don’t like to go
through books, I want to be myself. I go to exhibitions to see
paintings but I love to be myself, to create things belonging to me.
You have people whom you appreciate what they are doing; when I went to
Agbarha Otor, Bruce Onobrakpeya influenced me. I was doing some things
before but I discovered from him another way of doing those things. I
was also influenced by most of the senior artists in Ivory Coast.
Inspiration
Ordinary life. What is happening around me inspires me. If I want to summarise everything, I will say God inspires me.
Best work so far
It is in my house,
I’m not selling it. It’s a painting but I want to protect it. Everybody
coming into my studio wants to buy that artwork so I decided two months
ago not to show it again. I placed it inside my bedroom, nobody will
see it again.
Least satisfying work
I like everything.
If I don’t like it today, I can keep it somewhere. Years or months
after, I will work on it again to give it another aspect. Some of the
works, I don’t feel them so I just keep them aside but years later, I
can have a contact with the work, I’ll go back to it. Most of my works,
I used to do them like that.
Career high point
When I went to
Dak’Art Biennale in 2006. I wanted to go in 2002 and 2004 but was
afraid because of the finance. I have a collector; I just went to see
him, to tell him that I’ll like to go to Dakar Biennale. The first
answer he gave me was I will buy you a ticket so I was so happy. I went
to see what was happening, that people had always told me about.
Favourite artist living or dead
I have to thank
Agbelusi Abiodun, he is the one who asked me to come to Nigeria to show
my work. He started asking me in 2002 but I was scared until I decided
to come in 2005. People like him are rare, most people like to keep
things to themselves but I don’t like such people. There is also
Romuald Hazoume, one of the senior artists in Benin. He also made me
like what I’m doing.
Ambitions
I’ll like to have a
centre that I will call Midy Art Centre where I will teach people what
I’m doing because when God has given you something, you have to give
back to others. I want to share what I know with other people. That
will be my satisfaction.
PERSONAL FINANCE: Organise your finances ahead of the New Year
PERSONAL FINANCE: Organise your finances ahead of the New Year
Organising your
finances can be a real chore. Every month, you receive several bills,
statements, and other financial documents, which can be quite
overwhelming. Unpaid bills and statements from multiple bank accounts
lying unopened are a sure sign that you are losing control of your
financial life.
Perhaps, you
regularly miss payment deadlines and end up having to pay penalty fees
or punitive interest because you just can’t keep up with all your
financial matters. You could be putting your financial wellbeing at
risk.
Just as you would
attempt to de-clutter your home by throwing out all the things you no
longer need, your finances need an overhaul from time to time. If you
are disorganised, it will be difficult for you to be in control.
Ask yourself these
questions: is your home insured? When is your health insurance policy
due for renewal? What kind of policy do you have? When is your next
rent due? Is the landlord willing to renew at the old rate?
Most of us badly
need to go through this exercise, so this December, let us together go
through all our financial matters and try to create some order ahead of
2011. This might seem like a daunting task; where do you start, with
envelopes, drawers, and cupboards full to the brim and overflowing with
documents that you haven’t looked at for years. If you put your mind to
it and devote some time to this task, you will make huge strides in
sorting things out.
What tools do you need?
To get started, you
need to put a few things in place. Your purchase list could include the
following items: files and folders, A4 envelopes, a letter opener,
stapler, a paper punch, markers, biros and pencils, address labels, a
calculator, a shredder, and even a small safe.
Create a simple filing system
To put your
documents in order, you need to carefully create a system that helps
you to keep track of all the paperwork. A simple filing system is one
way, as there is a lot of important financial information that needs to
be organised and maintained.
The categories
usually include the following documents: bank statements, retirement
account, other investment statements, brokerage and mutual fund
statements, portfolio reports, insurance policies including those for
your home, life, medical and health insurance, title documents for your
home and your car, tax returns, mortgage documents, tax returns,
monthly bills, salary pay slips, warranties, title documents for home,
car, receipts for significant items, and so on.
Sensitive documents
We all have some
particularly important personal documents such as a passport, birth
certificates, title documents, stock certificates, educational
certificates or your marriage certificate; scan or photocopy these
documents for your household files.
Ideally, the
original documents should be stored in a sturdy fireproof filing
cabinet or a small fireproof safe. List all the contents and make
copies to be kept with your lawyer or other reliable family member or
friend. It is important to protect these from the risk of fire, flood,
or other disasters.
You don’t need to
go overboard in trying to create a military fortress at home, but at
the same time you shouldn’t have things lying around in cardboard boxes
at the bottom of your wardrobe for the wrong house keeper to rifle
through whilst you are at work.
Regular Maintenance
Setting up a basic
filing system is one thing, but maintaining it is another. Even if you
are too busy to go over your money matters once a week, do try to
revisit this most important aspect of your life periodically. Whenever
you receive a bank statement, take a moment to check it for errors
before you put away in the correctly labeled folder. That way, your
bills and important documents are easily accessible.
Too many bank accounts?
How many bank
accounts do you have and how many do you actually need and use
regularly? If you have more than two bank accounts, you might consider
closing down the ones you don’t really use unless the accounts play
very specific roles.
Deal with bills promptly
If you receive a
new bill, deal with it promptly. If you subscribe to internet banking,
it will be easy to automate some of your regular utility bill payments.
Otherwise, write a cheque and send it off immediately. Do not
procrastinate; start this task and finish it straightaway so that it
takes only a few minutes of your time.
Shred! Shred! Shred!
Many Nigerians find
themselves victims of fraud and identity theft, in which personal
documents are stolen and the data is used fraudulently. Your financial
information is very personal, and it is essential that you maintain
confidentiality to protect yourself from fraud. When your rubbish is
picked up, you don’t know exactly where it ends up.
Don’t just
carelessly discard old financial statements; all those old bills, bank
statements can become prime targets for thieves. Consider buying a
shredder so that you can immediately shred any sensitive documents that
you no longer need. This way, you can minimise the chances of the wrong
person getting at the information.
These are just
suggestions; it is important to devise a system that works for you,
otherwise you will not follow it through. Using technology to organise
your finances will make things even quicker and easier.
Often, we don’t appreciate the importance of keeping our finances
organised until we are faced with a major financial decision such as
buying a home, applying for a car loan, or trying to claim on our
insurance policy.
Election, extra budgetary spending stress Nigeria’s economy
Election, extra budgetary spending stress Nigeria’s economy
A major factor that
would determine the performance of the Nigerian economy next year is
the elections. Economic and financial analysts all acknowledge this
concern. Apart from the huge spending that has pushed deficit to above
six percent of gross domestic product, there is also the concern that
in the event of a change in government, there may be radical reversals
of many of the policies already in place.
Expenditure is
estimated at N5.16 trillion, revenue is put at N3.18 trillion, while
budget is estimated at N 4.67 trillion. The shortfall will be sourced
from massive domestic and foreign borrowing, with the attendant effect
on the economy. The exchange rate is tottering; interest rate is pegged
at 6.25 percent, while inflation at above 13 percent has not shown any
signs of slowing down.
In its October
rating of the country, Fitch Ratings, a global rating agency, noted
that elections in the first half of next year have increased short-term
political uncertainty in the country. According to its ratings note,
the end of zoning in the ruling party could give rise to instability in
the Niger Delta or in the northern states, depending on who is chosen
as candidate.
“A flare-up in the
Niger Delta would be the worst outcome for the economy as a whole, as
it would likely bring a renewed decline in oil output, budget revenues,
and international reserves,” the report said.
The report added
that the major constraints on the ratings, low per capita income, weak
transparency and governance, and the infrastructure deficit, especially
the power shortage, remain in place.
Uncertainty persists
Bismarck Rewane,
managing director, Financial Derivatives Company Limited, a Lagos-based
financial advisory services firm, also believes that the current
development in the political scene creates uncertainty in the country.
In his presentation
at the Lagos Business School November monthly executive breakfast
meeting, Mr. Rewane said recent development has made the incumbent
president more vulnerable, adding “the political structure is fragile
and the imponderables have multiplied. Stakes are high and situation
fluid.”
Thankfully, the
country’s oil production is back to its best levels since 2006, but
elections pose a risk. Without doubt, the election period comes with
some level of frenzied spending by government that is usually not
captured in the appropriation.
“Revised budgetary
projections and two supplementary budgets (including one to cover the
costs of Nigeria’s new voter registration system) suggest that spending
will rise around 50 percent in 2010, with some spillover into 2011,”
said Razia Khan, regional head of research, Africa, at Standard
Chartered Bank, London.
Ms. Khan said
Nigeria’s election will be one of Africa’s most watched political
events in 2011. She added that the extra budgetary spending is not
without its repercussion.
“Elections are not
without their risks, however, and the concern is that while much reform
is promised in the future, there is little to show for the reform
agenda so far. Almost the entire focus has been on elections and what
emerges thereafter, with comparatively little emphasis on structural
reforms that would benefit the economy now,” Ms. Khan said.
This is in addition
to the coming on board of the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria
to buy up bad debts from the books of the banks. This will be financed
by bonds to be floated in the next few weeks. According to Fitch,
institutional and structural factors are weaknesses for the public
finances.
“Costs arising from AMCON and other contingent liabilities would
still leave debt ratios comfortably below rated peers,” it said.
Doctors protest kidnap of 65-year-old woman in Ondo
Doctors protest kidnap of 65-year-old woman in Ondo
The abduction of a 65-year-old housewife, Juliana
Ogunleye from her residence in Akure, the Ondo State capital by three
armed bandits has sparked off protest from members the Nigerian Medical
Association (NMA) in the State.
The association has therefore given the state
government 48 hours to secure the release of the woman, who is the wife
of a Saudi-based Gynecologist, Idowu Ogunleye.
Mrs. Ogunleye was playing with her grandchildren at
her No 2, Ogunleye Street, Ijoka-Akure when she was abducted at about
7pm last month.
The three armed men, it was learnt, came to the house
on the pretext that they had come to deliver a message to the victim.
The woman was the only person kidnapped by the suspected gunmen, who
met six people in the house while carrying out the dastardly act.Her
husband, Idowu Ogunleye is at present outside the country.
A source close to the family said the abductors had
earlier placed a N100 million ransom on the woman before reducing it to
N50 million.
The family has however told the kidnappers that they
could not afford such huge amount, noting that the woman who was
neither a political office holder nor any of her siblings had been
taken away since November 25.
The Nigeria Medical Association has therefore sent a Save Our Soul letter to the state governor,Olusegun Mimiko.
The association, in the letter signed by Adetan
Oluwatoyin and I. J Adebose, chairman and the secretary respectively,
said that the latest case was the second involving wives of senior
medical practitioners in the state by criminals intent on extorting
money.
Unhappy doctors
They stated that the kidnap of doctors and their
relatives was a strange thing in the state.“Your Excellency, we need to
emphasize that as the Chief Security Officer of this state, our lives
and property are in your hand. When it concerned the politicians, the
government was there, for journalists, the whole nation was involved
and now that it involves doctors’ relatives, we do not expect anything
less”, the NMA said.
The NMA therefore called on the government and security agencies to
act fast in order to secure the release of the abducted Mrs Ogunleye,
whose abductors have now reduced the ransome to N30 million.
Obi seeks Igbo support for Jonathan
Obi seeks Igbo support for Jonathan
Governor of Anambra
State, and Chairman of the South East Governors’ Forum, Peter Obi, said
at the weekend he is pushing for the Igbo to support President Goodluck
Jonathan in next year’s presidential election because of the increased
federal presence in the south east zone.
Mr Obi, who spoke
at a ceremony to mark the commissioning of a multi-purpose hall built
and donated to the Nnewi Sports Club by a philanthropist, Emeka Offor,
said key projects such as the second Niger Bridge which, over the
years, had become a subject of political propaganda had been duly
designed and awarded by the Mr Jonathan administration, while work
would soon commence on some erosion sites as well as the Sakamori
project in Onitsha. “These are projects which hitherto had been
receiving lip service from previous administrations,” he said.
The governor, while
commending Mr Offor for the philanthropic gesture, promised residents
of the state that his administration would continue to encourage those
who contributes towards community development in any form. While noting
that the state had grown beyond party politics to that of development
with necessary stability and steady progress, he called for the
election of credible candidates in future elections.
The Minister of Defence, Adetokumbo Kayode, described Mr Obi as a
high profile leader who had made the country proud. He recalled that
the on-going comprehensive fencing of the Onitsha Military Barracks was
initiated and by the governor, and urged the people to give Mr Obi all
necessary support to complete his vision.
Edo state starts N2.48bn hospital project
Edo state starts N2.48bn hospital project
The premises of
Edo State Specialist hospital is now a beehive of activities as some of
the hospital wards are being pulled down in preparation for the
construction of an ultra-modern hospital ward, with state of the art
equipment.
The State
Government had recently signed a contract with a construction company,
Messers Sincies Chiementin International (Nigeria) for the construction
of the accident and emergency ward and a 120 bed in-patient ward in the
hospital.
Edo State
Commissioner for Health, Moses Momoh who signed the contract on-behalf
of the State Government, said the projects will cost the government the
sum of N2bn . He confirmed that the project will be completed within 18
months.
When completed, the
120-bed capacity wards will help meet with the growing challenges in
the health sector, and will also provide relief for the already over
stretched wards now in use at the hospital, as well as giving an
improved service to the patients and reducing the work load on other
tertiary health institutions in the State, especially the University of
Benin Teaching Hospital, (UBTH).
Five star clinic
Some patients who
spoke to NEXT at the hospital commended the State Governor, Adams
Oshiomhole for embarking on the project which they said was long
overdue. They pointed out that the reconstruction of the wards will
create room for the increasing number of patients. They also urged the
state government to extend the gesture to all hospitals across the
state.
Mr Oshiomhole had mentioned during his 2011 budget presentation that
the demolished hospital wards will give way to a “five-star hospital”
with facilities that could compare with any best hospital in the
world.‘‘Upgrading of other hospitals across the State will also takes
priority in the 2011 budget,’’ Mr.Oshiomhole said.
Ondo governor says security challenges may mar 2011 polls
Ondo governor says security challenges may mar 2011 polls
The Ondo State
governor, Olusegun Mimiko has advised security operatives to be alert
to their responsibilities during the forthcoming general elections to
prevent outbreaks of violence.
The governor gave
the warning while welcoming the Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval
Command, Emmanuel Ogbor to Akure. The officer was familiarisation tour
of the Nigerian Navy Forward Operations Base (FOB) at Igbokoda. Mr
Mimiko said a repeat of the security challenges experienced by the
electorate during the 2007 general elections is capable of truncating
the hope of conducting free and fair elections in the country in the
country.
The governor, who
referred to the security situation during the bye-election held in
Ilaje Local Government Area July this year, told the Naval Chief that
the 2011 polls is also a security matter as it will go beyond the realm
of politics.
“It is important to
be pro-active because having credible elections in this country depends
largely on the security situation,” he said.
“It behoves on the
armed forces to ensure that the 2011 elections and subsequent ones are
free and fair as we normally have security challenges during
elections…
“The last
bye-election we had in Ilaje, we had real serious security challenges.
As a matter of fact, it was your men that went to rescue INEC officials
who were held hostage by some hooligans who wanted to attack them and
perhaps they could have had a fatal encounter with those hoodlums, but
your men rose to the occasion. So, we hope that during next year’s
election, you will beef up security in the water ways, policing the
water ways is very important in conducting free and fair election in
the riverine areas. As a nation, Nigeria is regarded as the giant of
Africa and must prove that leading position. It must perform or lead by
ensuring the conduct of successful free and fair elections and everyone
in Nigeria have a role to play if the next elections must be credible.”
Mr Ogbor commended the state government for its commitment to the
welfare of Naval officers and men in the state and called for
government support in ensuring the movement of the FOB to its permanent
base.
Police arrest landlord for killing tenant’s wife
Police arrest landlord for killing tenant’s wife
The owner of a
building in Agbado, Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State, Tunde
Alabi, has been arrested by the police for allegedly killing the wife
of one of his tenants following a brawl which ensued between him and
the husband of the deceased.
The 46-year-old
suspect, who was paraded weekend at the Eleweran Police Headquarters,
Abeokuta, was, according to the police, said to have engaged his
tenant, Adelabi Dehinde, an official of the Nigerian Immigration
Service, in a fight in the house, located at 6 Kadiri Avenue, Oluwo
Ope-Ilu. The Commissioner of Police, Musa Daura, said the accused, who
resides in the same compound, hit Mr Dehinde on the head with a plank,
in the course of the fight. The wife of the tenant, Tolake Akinola,
came to the rescue of her hubby. Mr Alabi allegedly hit the 40-year-old
woman with the plank on her forehead, following which she collapsed and
was taken to the Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta, where she reportedly
died some hours later.
Mr Daura said the suspect has confessed to the crime and will be
charged to court on completion of investigation. Mr Alabi said that he
regretted his action, adding that explaining that he did not mean to
kill her. “The husband and the wife descended on me, and the only way
to react is the use of the plank available, but I don’t know it can
kill,” he said. “I want to beg for forgiveness. I know that who kills
will be killed, but I don’t mean to kill the woman. Please the
authority should temper justice with mercy for me.”
