The ONYE OZI (The Messenger) Preview Series: Interview With Iffy Chukwu

Next in line in the ONYE OZI (The Messenger) Preview Series is an interview with vivacious Iffy Chukwu…

Name: Iffy Chukwu

State of Origin: Anambra

Is this your first film role?

I had previously been in Obi Emelonye’s debut feature film titled The Mirror Boy, a short film titled Choices and Saidi’s Song (not yet released).

What character do you play? Tell us a bit about the character in the film.

I play a female pastor. A sheep needs a shepherd to bring it home. So, when the pastor sees Metu and Mkpuruma looking lost, confused, spiritually disoriented, she performs one of her duties (you have to be at the premier to find out more).

What made you want to audition for ONYE OZI (The Messenger)?

The chance to be in an Igbo language film shot on location in London.

What was the initial reaction from family and friends when you told them that you will be involved in the first ever Igbo language film in London?

First of all, there was disbelief. After filming, they became anxious. Now for the premier, they are excited.

How different did it feel for you to act in an Igbo language film, in comparison to English? Was it easier or harder, considering you had to learn the script in Igbo, etc?

It was kind of funny. I speak Igbo but when I read the translated script, I was picking at the words like a young reader. I didn’t want Okey Bakassi to joke about it, so I took myself back in time to listen to that 7 o’clock news they call Akuko Uwa and the fluency came.

Also, there was the issue of dialect. Igbo language has quite a few. For example, in my village, house is ‘uno’, but for the film, house was ‘ulo’. It did feel strange in my mouth but at the end, it went well and will soon be judged by the world.

This film will definitely bring something new to Nollywood, being one of the few Igbo films being made. Considering the large number of Igbo actors/actresses, directors in the Industry, why do you think there are very few Igbo films being made, in comparison with other groups?

In my opinion, I think it is finance. Nollywood doesn’t get any funding from the government. How many companies or individuals will invest in an Igbo language movie which may not attract a huge audience?

The directors and producers are left with no choice. They need to do whatever business it takes to fend for their families, after all movie making is called ‘show-business.’

Another reason for lack of Igbo films is the story. There must be a good story, and the right cast to pull crowd and get rave reviews.

What do you wish for the outcome of ONYE OZI (The Messenger)?

Hopefully, ONYE OZI will challenge other producers and directors to do something different. Something that would trigger a change in society, and make kids growing up in UK proud of their language.

In less than five years (as mentioned in an Igbo conference held at SOAS in April this year), the Igbo language will be one of the languages taken in GCSE’S. So this movie could generate interest among Igbo teachers. Could it be one of their teaching tools? Only time will tell.

Any final comments?

First of all, I want to appreciate Obi Emelonye and Ngozi Ideh for working so hard through series of phone calls, emails, facebook messages to make this production come to its final stage. Everyone in London works, so getting people together to form a team, a cast especially in a cold weather, is not easy. So I applaud them.

Secondly, I have to use this opportunity to announce the new release of my children’s story book, titled A Week of Tortoise Tales. Do you remember Tales by Moonlight or those NTA or ABS kind of stories? Well, this is a modern retelling of those classic tales for young readers and listeners. Available on Amazon. I’m thankful to God.