This is the concluding part of our exclusive interview with the movie legend, Pete Edochie. The first part of it was published last week.
Was featuring in ‘Things Fall Apart’ the first production that brought you to limelight?
Yes, it was the production that projected me. I had played other little roles on television such as Segment of Shakespeare, Every Man, Realm of Violence, Resurrection and others. But Things Fall Apart was a full blown production. Because of its popularity as a set book, it was welcomed by a lot of people. They were not disappointed with the interpretation of the role. I feel very happy about it.
For many years now that production has not been shown on television?
It is the property of NTA and I think (I am not speaking with authority here) that some people bought the rights and decided to package and sell the production. A lot of people have the complete set of thirteen episodes. All the same, it is the property of NTA, and if the management of the television house decide that they want to run it again, all they require is sponsorship. But I know that the production is still very much in demand.
A lot of people have visited me from outside the shores of this country to ask for my help to enable them acquire the production. But I told them that the production was the property of NTA. There was a time I was approached by some people who wanted to translate the production into French.
They wanted to pay me a lot of money just for me to give my consent. But I am not used to that kind of thing. I need money but I don’t steal. If I had given it to them, nothing would have happened, but I would have stolen somebody’s property.
It would have haunted me all through my life. I am a devoted Catholic. However, I directed them to the management of NTA, and I don’t know how they sealed the deal.
Among your five sons, Yul is the only one that decided to take after you in the area of acting. Watching his films, do you see your blood running in his vein?
Yes, I’m not really used to watching our movies. But after some people told me that my son was doing very well I decided to watch him consciously. I think he’s doing very well. He has a good voice and he’s a good role interpreter. Actually, while he was in the university, he majored in directing.
But I told him that he ought to be in front of the camera, and not behind it. I assessed him as his father and advised him to go into acting. He did, and I don’t think he regrets it. Also, my other son, Linc, was there before Yul. He is married now and based in Abuja. Unfortunately, Linc didn’t quite make the impression that Yul made on screen.
So, he decided to back out. He is more creative than Yul is, but the latter is a better role interpreter. That’s the major difference. But if Linc has gone into directing, he would have done marvelously well because he is very creative. He chose his own path. I never compelled any of my children to do any thing.
I allowed them to follow their dreams. Yul is an actor while Adam is a Fine artist. Linc also studied Fine Art. My first son did Agric-economics and he’s based in Port- Harcourt with his family. Yul is the person who is flying the flag now.
You bought cars for all your sons. Was it a way of appreciating them for making you proud?
I wanted to encourage them. I said to them that if you guys graduate from the university, I would buy cars for you all. That was intended to be a source of inspiration for them. And they had it at the back of their minds. As they were graduating, I was buying cars for them and I don’t regret it.
Again, you graduate from the university, there is what we call peer group influence. You join your peer group, it’s a very venturesome age. They believe very much in adventure. You want to move around with them, and you see about four or five of the young men squeezing themselves into one car and getting themselves drunk while driving recklessly and killing themselves in the process.
I didn’t want that to happen to any of my sons. You have your own car and you drive at your own pace. Don’t be tempted by other people. Do your own thing in your own way. That’s why I bought cars for them and I don’t regret it.
Your beard is as old as the grey hair on your head. Will you ever shave it off for any price?
No, I wouldn’t, no matter how much you would pay me. It gives me character. I have always played a big man in my movies. If I am not a leader of a cult, I am an Igwe or a native doctor. There must be something inspiring about you. Something that frightens people, that terrifies them, intimidates them when they know that you are coming. When you clean-shave, you lose that character.
For how many years have you been growing your beard?
I started growing beard when I was 23 years.
And you have not shaved the beard since then?
It’s not necessary. I could trim it, but I will not shave my beard. I will carry it till the end of my time. I have a lot of hair on my head, and there is so much power in the hair. You read about the Bible story of Samson and Delilah. Our Lord Jesus Christ never shaved off his hair. There’s so much power in the hair.
IGBOS OWN NOLLYWOOD
Recently, Wale Adenuga, producer of “Super story” and Waptv Chairman alleged that Igbos have hijacked Nollywood. Do you agree with his observation?
Comments are free but facts are sacred. People are free to say whatever they like, but a fact is a fact. Who make up Nollywood? The Igbos. Who started Nollywood? The Igbos. What are the films you remember most in Nollywood; ‘Living in Bondage” which was produced by an Igbo man, “Rituals”, ‘Igbodo”, Ëbuka” among others. They were all produced by Igbo filmmakers. I featured in about 90 percent of these films.
No comments:
Post a Comment