Light dims on veteran actor, Emmanuel France, son of first Sarkin Sabon Gari of Kano

Screen and real-life light have dimmed on notable Nigerian veteran actor, Emmanuel France. ‘Uncle Emmanuel, as the grand old actor who is famous for playing a sorcerer or devious uncle in Nollywood films is simply called by younger colleagues, reportedly passed on at 83. The news of his passing was shared by filmmaker Femi Ogedengbe on his confirmed social media handles.

Ogedengbe who expressed grief and recalled their fond memories together shared his picture on his Instagram handle and wrote: “Rest in peace to one of Nollywood’s legends, Uncle Emmanuel France. One of the actors I took to Tanzania in 2006. We shot three movies together: Cross My Sin, She Is My Sister and The Director. R.I.P.” Ghana-born but ‘Nigeria raised and buttered’ actor, the irrepressible actor and star of countless Nollywood and Ghanaian movies include, Emergency Wedding and Holy Oracle, has done nothing outside acting since he took the decision to venture into the make belief vocation in 1969. An interview the iconic actor granted Moviedom is reproduced as tribute to the die-hard thespian and son of the first Sarkin Sabon Gari of Kano State.

Will it be correct to say that you have been missing in action for sometimes now?
I have been around — In Abuja, but I shuttle between Lagos and Abuja, and indeed, all other places where movies are produced. I have also been involved in propagating the faith I profess through the arts. But in terms of my not being involved in what you will call mainstream acting, well it is because those there now don’t recognise my value. If they do, I will be very busy like my contemporaries. Also I think they don’t want to listen to people like us. We are those they refer to as old school. But what they failed to realise is that there would not have been a new school without an old structure standing there. But I have always maintained that we could do better than this. We have a lot of stories that we can tell that can divert attention from the tension in the land including the mayhem called Boko Haram. We were doing that before, but now I don’t even know the direction the industry is headed.

So you are obviously not satisfied with what is going on in Nollywood?
I am not but that does not mean that they have not tried. This industry was built out of nothing.

I mean look at all the big professor today speaking grammar and holding conferences here and there about Nollywood.They never knew that anything good would come out of Nollywood until these traders who were dealing in electronics pulled their resources on the line and today there is Nollywood that everyone talks about. I mean when we started, the Nigerian Television authority (NTA) was the only avenue open for us apart from live theatre to express ourselves. I remember way back then in1983 someone like Tunde Kelani was already using computer when we were shooting Mirror in the Sun. We were asking him then what it was and he was laughing at us. But he has developed himself and today he is a master of his craft. He saw tomorrow just as those traders saw and gave us Nollywood. Today everybody is into it. Nollywood rules Africa and it’s talked about world over. I believe that with enough capital support we can do much better.

It looks to me that you will quit acting anytime soon?
I cannot quit. I was born into it. I cannot quit. I started acting in 1949 when I was nine years old. I started film in 1969. I have spent 43 (55) years old now in the film industry. It is just that when we talk people don’t listen or recognize us. I have done more than 530 films and I am still counting. Go and watch a movie like Holy Oracle and Emergency Wedding and plenty others. They are my all time best. There are so any I cannot readily mention now.

You must be very fulfilled with 530 films?
I am fulfilled by the grace of God but not financially. I’m sure you will be asking why when I have done over 530 films? Well, it is because they don’t know my value. How will I be financially fulfilled when all they do is to play you in just about six scenes and then they pay you peanuts? I mean they come and give you two scenes to play and then offer you N10,000 for instance, how will you survive compared to those people they will pay hundreds of thousands to for doing 62 scenes. So, you manage and want to see what tomorrow will bring and one is not getting any younger. Even when you try to produce your own film they block it, and won’t try to support you. So that has been the situation.

So what is the gain of all this for you?
One of the gains is the fact that it allows me to enter anywhere. The other is the fact that it allows you to meet anyone. It opens doors of opportunity. In fact, as an actor you are elevated.

You don’t have to hang an identity card. Your face is your identity. I have through acting met with governors, ministers and heads of state including former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who tried to help me, but before I could hear from those in the Information Ministry he referred me to, he was out of office.

Does playing an herbalist have an effect on you off set?
No it has not and that is because I am myself very spiritual. It pays you as an actor to be spiritual. You are better off if you are spiritual and that is because in some roles that we take up like when good fights evil, we are engaged in a lot of spiritual warfare. I know that a lot of the roles I have played had to do with playing the herbalist but I ensure I pray before and after I get on set because the forces of darkness will definitely attack you because you are mocking the devil and so the devil will not allow you. So, just hold on to God and nothing can disturb you. That has been the secret.

What is the secret of your longetivity?
Prayer, hard work and I also watch what I eat. I eat a lot of fruits and I have been on a lot of ginger, garlic and carrots all my life. I also take things easy. Take things one at a time. Have a free mind and a mind that is free from hatred. So don’t have anything in your mind. Forgive everyone. But importantly be close to God. There is nothing like it. He is the giver of life and lifter of heads. I am a living testimony of His faithfulness. I mean look at me. I am still vibrant at my age. I have never had any accident in my life and have not removed a single tooth. So, the young ones should hold on to God live simply and watch what they eat.

What is this story that you were born and bred in Ghana?
My parents are from the Gold Coast now Ghana, but I was born in Kano and raised in Kano, Nigeria. Go to Kano, we have a street there named after my grandfather. It’s 32 France Road. That was where I was born. My grand father was the first Sarkin Sabon Gari of Kano. In fact, I am a Kano prince. I attended St Thomas’ Catholic School, continued in college at African Church Grammar School, Abeokuta. I returned to Ghana, shot my first film in Ghana in 1969 and worked on a documentary with Gihoc Distilleries and Ghana Fishing Co-operation that took us to Angola and after that I joined GBC TV writing for the Osofo Dazie group until the revolution in 1979. I returned to Nigeria in 1980 and joined the NTA in 1983 and since then I have been around and I have done nothing else than to act and serve God.