Na wa ooh! Nigerian Movie Industry Is Corrupt

Joy Amata, born and bred in Lagos State, is a rising actress who grew up in the popular slum, Ajegunle. In this interview with The Nation's Dupe Ayinla-Olasunkami, she talks about her refusal to let her environment take hold of her future, and other issues relating to her acting career.

Tell us about yourself?
I grew up in Ajegunle. When I tell people, they hardly believe me. It took much time, and grooming for my environment not to have a negative impact on me. I read books, and watched foreign movies.

Eucharia Anuobi is one actress who impressed me. She speaks very good English... I am a graduate of Social Studies from Delta State Uni. But I was not satisfied, due to my love for movies, so I went to a film school in Delta state, to obtain a Diploma in Film and Television Production.

Why haven’t you taken the same steps as other upcoming actresses by sleeping with someone?
I don’t really like assuming, but I believe it is luck and timing. I have a lot of faith and I am waiting for that time. And maybe I don’t have the body like others that can sell movies; like a busty front, or an attractive backside. I can’t sleep my way to fame, despite the strong temptations to grab the opportunity given to climb the ladder of fame in the “easiest manner”, by sleeping around, I have chosen to stay focused and let success come at the right time.

I have been approached by many, including popular actors and producers. They all believe that once you have made up your mind to be in the movie world, the best way you can be known is to dance to their tune. But that has made me stronger.

I have been around for a while now, and see the way things are done. Once you agree to sleep with one of them, you will get tossed around. I don’t want that for my career, which may be why I don’t get called like the others. I was recently at an audition for a popular production company, where I was selected to play the role of a Warri babe. The role went to someone else, because the director wanted his own person to play that role. That is how the whole thing goes, which is why talented actors and actresses are yet to have a break. The industry is corrupt, and talent is seen to be secondary.

I have seen cases where talented people are marked down, and friends put in their place. That is where favouritism comes in.

So which movie would you say gave you your big break?
In my opinion, I am yet to break through as I am yet to get to play a lead role, but I get sub leads with notable actors. But I do more of stage performances, which hardly sells people in this country. People hardly go to the theatre to watch plays. So I am still hoping for that big break. I was meant to get one recently, but the lead character was swapped. But I know it is coming soon.

At this age, are you not considering settling own?
I am really taking my time. I have married sisters, and marriage is scary to me. Though I have seen some encouraging ones that will make you want to go into marriage, at the same time, I have seen marriages that involve lot of things; money, wanting to leave your parents house, and other factors. Those pressures make people marry, and later on have problems. When I marry, I don’t want to regret it, I want my first marriage to be my last. I want it to be almost perfect, though I know that no marriage is perfect. But I want to get married to my friend, because I don’t have the heart; I am very emotional. There is no space for pains in my heart. There is someone though.

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