| Emem Isong: The Story behind the Glory Part 2 |
| Written by Bola | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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PART 2: Entering Idumota…
NWU: I take it your troubles were over when you finished shooting the movie, ‘Breaking Point’?
E.I: How can? Actually they were just beginning. After I finished shoot and editing in Tunde Kilani’s studio, I then went to the film market in Idumota (
NWU: What happened then?
E.I: They watched the film and luckily, liked it and then agreed to partner with me for a percentage of the sales. They handled all the much needed publicity for the film and gave me a marketer in Idumota to market it. That was Infinity Merchants and we were able to sell the film, pay off all my debts and have some money to put in my pocket.
NWU: Im sure you were so relieved.
E.I: You can say that again!
NWU: So can you say you had made it then?
E.I: I wish! (laughter) Na yam? Ofcourse I didn’t make it just like that but it did get my foot in the door and people sat up and took notice. After ‘Breaking Point’ with the little profit made, I partnered with the marketer and shot another film titled ‘A Minute to Midnite’ again starring Stella Damasus and a fashion designer, Kese Jabari who (naturally) costumed himself! (laughter). I shot several films as an independent producer; ‘Rumours’, ‘Silent Tears’, Hit and Run’, ‘Sweet Revenge’, Play Boy.
NWU: When did you enter Idumota proper?
E.I: Well, I had shot two films..I think it was ‘Play Boy’ and ‘Silent Tears and a marketer who had promised me that when I finished shooting, he would buy them off me, changed his mind at the last minute. I was devastated. But I remembered I had met Remmy Jes another marketer in one of the editing suites and we had exchanged cards. I called him and told him I had some films to sell. He said he would like to take a look at them but he was in
NWU: Wow! Go on!
E.I: When Remmy (Rob Emeka Eze) arrived he was shocked to see me because he knew I was an educated person, (a graduate and an ex-banker) and yet I had braved all this just to see him. It made him look at me in with different eyes. He then watched the films and liked the first one, Play Boy but not so much the second one, ‘Silent Tears’ but since I had come all the way from Lagos and been through so much, he decided to buy both off me and market them. He then asked whether I had other scripts. What a question! My bedroom and sitting room were overflowing with scripts! (laughter) I told him immediately that I had one.
NWU: Which one was that?
E.I: That was ‘Emotional Crack’ and that was the film that I can call my breakthrough film. I shot it in 2003 quite cheaply in my usual three-man -character style. It featured Ramsey Nouah and relative new comers then, Stephanie Okereke and Dakore Egbuson. It also had Patience Ozorkwor in it and was a big hit. It was nominated for five Awards in
NWU: Im sure Mr Kilani was surprised to see you!
E.I: (laughter) Sort of!
NWU: That must have been a proud moment for you.
E.I: It was. It all seemed worthwhile then. All the struggling, hustling and the tears. It got even better! Some one mentioned to the Minister of Information (then, Chief Chukwuemeka Chikelu) that we had been nominated to represent
NWU: Sounds like the stuff dreams are made off!
E.I: Only in the movies! (laughter) Its good to dream sometimes. They do come true.
NWU: Well, Im inspired already! (laughter) So what’s your advice for incoming producers.
E.I: Hmm… you need strength… both physically, mentally, spiritually and emotionally! You need to be strong and never give up. The Marketers that never gave me a chance at the beginning, doff their hats to me today. I see the respect in their eyes when we meet. They call me ‘Nwanyi Calabar’! (Calabar Woman) and have learnt to accept me. Even now there are new challenges but you have to take it in your stride. That is what life is all about.
NWU: So what next for you to conquer?
E.I: Im sure you know Im a marketer now. I market my own films and other people’s if they are good. I am also about opening a
NWU: Hope youre not retiring from film making any time soon?
E.I: Oh no…. not yet anyway. Things might not be so tough now but Im still a hustler and a go-getter at heart. My winning formula is; the three P’s; perseverance, passion and prayer. With these three in place, you can’t go wrong.
NWU: Thank you so much for sharing, Emem. We at nollywooduncut.com wish you the very best.
E.I: Thanks you so much, Bola for reminding me about those fiery days! (general laughter)
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Last week we at nollywooduncut.com started an interview with ace producer Emem Isong about her arduous journey as a producer in the 2nd largest film producing market in the world, Nollywood. This is the final and concluding part of how this Amazon braved it in the male-dominated, tribe dominated film market known as Idumota. It’s a must read! 
