Though many Nollywood actors are always quick to dismiss the existence of cliques or godfathers in the industry, Kemi Lala Akindoju has let the cat out of the bag.
Lala, while speaking with o u r correspondent, said relationships make the world go round and give people a sense of belonging.
She said, “As human beings, we thrive on relationships. Personally, I am not against having cliques in an industry. I am also a producer and the truth is that people like to work with people they like. It might not be about talent; I might just like the energy you bring in, your commitments or passion. If I like you, chances are that I would call you again and it may look like we belong to the same clique.
“Some producers will work with some actors because they know that they can never be late to location, and they will learn their lines or not throw tantrums. This does not mean they are not open to other people. Sometimes they have a short time and they are not ready to manage people.”
She disclosed further that Nollywood thrives on referrals and that one cannot rule out the place of ‘Godfatherism’ or ‘Godmotherism,’ as all industries are built on that.
When she collected an award at the 2016 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards, which came with a car, certain people felt she did not deserve it. But, according to Lala, before an explosion happens, something has to be burning underground for a while but may be unseen. She added that before she won AMVCA in 2016, she had been working for 11 years.
“2017 will make it 12 years that I have been working. First, that is not a short time and in that period I did strictly theatre for five years. Sometimes, getting people to see your work or talent alone is a challenge. We have many talented people but it is about whose talent is seen. And for every talented person, your mission is to make sure your talent is seen. When your talent is seen, then you can push for more and the right people would see you.”
She is, however, undisturbed by what people say about her on the various social media networks, insisting that they are faceless and ignorant.
“If you feel somebody does not deserve an award or recognition, read about the person. We are in an internet savvy age. If nothing comes up, then you are allowed to say all you have to say. This also says a lot about our generation as nobody wants to do research anymore. I can tell you that 80 percent of people who said I did not deserve the award were yet to watch my movies or read about me. At that point I had done ‘Dazzling Mirage’ and I had won AMAA in 2015. I do not even care about what people say because if I do, I would cry every day and probably give myself headache. For me, my eyes are on the prize and I am focused on the work,” she says.
