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‘Playing Arinze In Surulere Was Tasking’

By CHUKS NWANNE
30 January 2016   |   6:33 am
I started mainly performing in church and by mimicking family members in front of a small audience at home. However, professionally, I started after my first semester at the Department of Creative Arts at the University of Lagos.
Ajayi

Ajayi

Though not totally a new face in Nollywood, having featured in a couple of movies, budding actor Seun Ajayi recently took a daring plunge as lead actor in soon to be released movie, Surulere (Patience Pays). Though of Yoruba descent, the Creative Arts graduate of the University of Lagos played the role of Arinze, a financially challenged Igbo. In this interview with CHUKS NWANNE, he spoke on his experiences on the set of the movie and the challenges of learning Igbo language in a bid to convince the production crew and impress viewers.

How did you get into acting in the first place?
I started mainly performing in church and by mimicking family members in front of a small audience at home. However, professionally, I started after my first semester at the Department of Creative Arts at the University of Lagos. After doing a couple of plays as class projects, I started getting gigs on platforms such as Terra Kulture and the National Theatre, with directors like Segun Adefila and Tunji Sotinmirin. In 2007, I transitioned from African traditional theatre to Television as I debuted on the Amstel Malta Box Office 3, where I was second runner up. At that point, I knew it would be acting for a living.

For the first time, you took a major role in a movie, how was the experience on set of Surulere?
My experience was quite educative; I learnt that one of the most important things to do when you have gathered a bunch of creative minds with skillful hands is to create an environment that enables these professionals to express themselves. Though the director’s vision was a guide for the cast and crew, there was a lot of input that was allowed to thrive within the right context and I think it made the work so much fun; we showed up every day to work ‘playfully’.

As an actor, what specifically interests you about Surulere?
The stands out primarily because of the commitment to the story; I observed that the ultimate aim of the director for this film was to tell the story in the most creative and effective way. So, all creative and technical efforts were driven by a desire to tell this Nigerian story the best way. That is exactly what makes the difference with this film; it did not come out of a need to make a film, but out of a need to tell a great story.

How was it like playing Arinze?
I play the role of Arinze, a young man who, is steeped in financial woes and has been intimidated by an overbearing boss. While preparing for the role, I had to learn some Igbo expressions and nuances because the character is from Eastern Nigeria but resident in Lagos. In my quiet moments, I also created a manner of speaking and a specific way of walking for the character, to reflect Arinze’s ‘brow beaten’ state of mind.

What do you consider the most challenging part of the role?
I think the major challenge was getting the Igbo words right and not messing it up. Some of these mistakes are unforgivable for some members of the audience, so ‘fingers crossed’ I am hoping I get a good grade.

What lesson do viewers stand to gain from Surulere?
I think the primary lesson in this film is reflected in the title, ‘Patience Pays’. However, there are smaller nuggets about the importance of having confidence in one ’s self and not trying to be what you are not. We have a generation of young people, who try to live replicate the uniqueness of other people they idolize on TV, but it’s more important to find out who you are and be the best version of you possible.

How was it like working with other cast members?
There was a very interesting mix of actors in this film. I think the director Mildred Okwo should be applauded for having an eye for the hidden abilities of actors she observes. Almost every actor in this film is cast outside of role they would ordinarily play. The chemistry was great with the actors, as there was a depth of characterisation across board. If you look at what is on the page compared to how actors like Rita Dominic, Gregory Ojefua, Enyinna Nwigwe, Tope Tedela, Beverly Naya and Lala Akindoju executed their performances, there so much more added flavor and life.

What are your aspirations for the career?
I hope to build and bring alive memorable characters that will be loved all over the continent and the world. It brings me joy when a character is believed and can be related with. The reason why Nkem Owoh is called ‘Osofia’ or Funke Akindele is called ‘Jenifa’ is because of how much in love the audiences fell with those characters. I hope that with God’s help, I can replicate this effect across projects and genres.

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