Entertainers have side businesses; we are not broke —Actor, Enyinna Nwigwe

Enyinna Nwigwe is an actor and producer who has continued to grace the Nollywood screen with his looks, talent and professionalism. The graduate of Economics from the University of Calabar was born in September 1982, and is the last of four children. He became more popular in the Nigerian movie industry having played the role of ‘Nonso Onwuka’ in West Africa’s highest grossing film ‘The Wedding Party’. In this interview by FAVOUR BOLUWADE, the actor describes his experiences in the industry, his aspiration and the ideas he thinks would make Nollywood better and bigger

When did you discover your interest in acting?

It was in the university, in my third year then at the University of Calabar. At a time, I was introduced to modelling; I started training models which I was doing as a side business thing back then as an undergraduate. That was my introduction to entertainment. In 2003, I met Jeta Amata, who was working on a project in Calabar at the time and we became friends. He had just started shooting his movie, “The Wheel of Change.” He had invited me to his film set and I honoured the invitation. Somehow, he was shooting a particular scene where he needed one more person to fill up the frame as he’d want. That was how he casually asked me to jump in. I would say that my delving into acting was accidental, pure serendipity. In fact, it was this singular action that triggered off my interest in acting.

How has your journey in Nollywood been?

It’s been quite an interesting adventure I must admit. It’s had its ups and downs like every journey in life, but I wouldn’t change any part of my story. It only gets better.

What film would you say brought you into the limelight? 

A lot have led to the next and have all had their important roles to play in my career, but I’ll give it to ‘The Wedding Party’.

 Are you satisfied with the progression of the Nigerian movie industry? 

Partly yes, but I think there is a lot more we can do to make sure we take our rightful place on the global film stage; looking at our market size globally and the richness of our stories, history and culture. We can do a lot in pushing for excellent standards in the creation of the ‘show’ which will translate essentially to better ‘business’ for the entire chain.

You are a versatile actor and have been featured outside Nollywood. What innovative approach do you think should be tried in our movie directing and production? 

Innovative may not be the word, as we are slowly growing the courage to push the bar with budgets, to get the best quality we can technically. I believe the more original we stay; while employing global film standards through continuous capacity building, the closer to taking our place on that world stage.

What is one thing you wish the public understood about the Nigerian movie industry? 

That we need to support our own to get to the level we dream of seeing the industry internationally. With our strength in numbers, the world should take us more seriously.

Some females often express how they go through some kind of pressures to get roles, and it has given the public a kind of perspective of what ‘you must do’ to be a star. Do males go through this pressure? 

I can only speak for myself and that is a NO, I have never experienced that.

What kind of pressures are you (males) faced with?

Same as any man in any other industry really.

There has been a narrative of how actors get depressed after being relegated to a particular role recently; how exactly do you think a solution can be found to this?

I can’t speak for any actor and I am hearing about that for the first time. The thing is, different actors approach characters from different places to achieve on-screen believability. Some from experiences in life past; some go deep into experiences they never had until it becomes them, while some have mastered the art of compartmentalisation and wear characters like cloaks they take off after the job is done. So it could be any of the cases and that I can’t say for certain. I have been on a set where the three female leads had an emotional scene where they had to bare their hearts out with a lot of tears, an hour after the director cut the scene, we were done, but they weren’t done crying for the next hour.

You are about to be featured in a new movie?

Yes, it is a comedy – drama to be directed by a first time feature film director Omar Kona, about a young dad who had a clairvoyant little daughter. He never believed in clairvoyance and her premonitions until life showed him. It’s a sense of humour.

What was your experience acting in your role in ‘Living in Bondage’ that won several awards at the AMVCA? 

It is a lot really, a whole conversation that could take this entire page, but I’ll just focus on the fact that I chose my Confirmation name as a young Catholic boy from the influence of the original ‘Living In Bondage’ film in 1992. Amongst the names on the list of biblical names to choose from a day before confirmation, it was Andrew I chose. I did it so I could shorten it to ‘ANDY’ (the lead character’s name played by Kenneth Okonkwo). A lifetime after, I’m an actor in its sequel; I did mention life’s sense of humour.

What other roles have been remarkable in your career and why? 

My role as IBB in ‘Badamasi: Portrait of a General’ (Biopic of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida), as a fighter pilot in Eagle Wings and as a police commander turned militant in Black November. So far they have given me the most satisfaction as an actor. Seeing all three touched the military space, maybe more biopic. And a role as a naval officer, I’d like to understand how they operate, protect us and our waters as I have with the Army and Air force, and also being a seaman by way of my fishing hobby on the Atlantic.

What other challenges have you faced overtime?

I see life as a whole like an adventure so I rarely record things as ‘challenges’ I store in my memory.

With the Covid-19 pandemic, it’s been ‘whispered’ that entertainers are now broke; would you say that’s true?

The pandemic hit most industries hard one way or the other, the entertainment industry isn’t left out especially because it is a ‘social’ work where people have to interact closely in physical capacity to make movies or even watch in cinemas or attend events. However, there are also parts of the same industry doing better as content owners selling faster now that the world has shifted their consumption for content, more to the online space. Also some entertainers have other side businesses keeping them afloat and content while the world resets.

What else are you involved in asides acting? 

I am currently working on my recently launched Foundation – Enyinna Nwigwe Foundation; for children and the physically -challenged in the society. It started out during the COVID-19 lockdown with distribution of food materials.

I also recently launched my own production studio where we’ll be creating original content and telling more of our finest African stories, helping shape our own narrative, amongst other things.

Do auditions really work in this part of the world or you just have to find a way to be seen as a good actor? 

They do work, there are also many other ways to get seen. 10 + 10, 15 + 5, 19 + 1 e.t.c, all come to 20. “Find your 20.”

What ways can the government influence movie productions in Nigeria positively?

Granting loans, granting access to facilities, e.t.c., Like the kind of support the Nigerian Air Force gave to the soon to released film Eaglewings is worthy of mention; especially in an industry that does mostly location shoots due to the high cost of building proper studios like our contemporaries in the west.

Growing up?

I am the last of four siblings, a boy, two girls then me. Most of my growing up was in Owerri, Imo State. I love to play tennis and had thought in my early teens, I’d go pro after winning a teenage tournament in my state at 13 and retaining the championship at 14 years of age. I love to try out new recipes in the kitchen. I’m pretty much a private person on a public career path.

Family?

Yet to have my own family

Would you choose acting in a second life?

I’ll wait till my first life is closer to over before I can say. I have only just scratched the surface of my acting career.

How do you relax when not on set?

I love to spend time at home, try out new recipes, workout, go fishing/boating, binge on TV shows or movies.

Where do you see yourself in five years? 

I believe in possibilities and God’s direction so I usually leave Him to His will and navigation of my life.

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