Adebola ‘Santa’ Ogunshina is a fasting-rising Nollywood stakeholder who believes ideas rule the world. Having just released his debut movie, ‘Mofe ni Mofe’, this is currently showing at the cinemas. He spoke to ROTIMI IGE about his journey so far.
Tell us a bit about your background and early years?
I grew up in the slums of Idi Araba in Mushin. I was raised by a single mother with three other siblings. I was first a science student before I jumped ship into the arts. I studied Theatre Arts at the prestigious University of Ibadan (UI).
How did your love for movies start?
After I left UI, I got into directing plays every month for ‘Live Theatre On Sunday’. I soon realized making stage plays in Nigeria wasn’t going to pay me enough and film is a wider medium than stage. I have always been fascinated with entertainment. I loved the idea of storytelling like most kids, I consumed a lot of television growing up- the late night films of DBN, the film show on Super Screen TV, and a lot of Yoruba home video films too. The idea that you have the freedom to create fascinates me. It’s interesting that you can create your own life or alter life from your stories. It feels interesting to decide whether a character dies or not.
Tell us about your latest debut movie?
‘Mofe Ni Mofe’ is a romantic drama that touches on the life of an intending couple who base the planning of their wedding on the promises of a distant uncle. Weddings used to be regular, you are free to make it as simple as you want but the advent of social media turned it into a fanfare. Everyone wants to outdo the last couple they see on Bella Naija. It’s crazy. But Mofe Ni Mofe is not about the wedding, it is about the journey into making it or not. The film is as relatable as they come. There are certain pertinent questions that the film asked. Mofe’s (Lateef Adedimeji) wife leaves him stranded on their wedding day, while Moji (Jumoke Odetola) has had to do 3 different wedding introductions before finally meeting Mofe. The two of them agree to get married but the stumbling block is Mofe wants is as quiet as possible while Moji needs the fanfare so as to shame her detractors.
What challenges do you face in the industry?
There are always limitations; first, there is a dearth of solid film training in the country so you need actual money to travel abroad for more training.
What solutions can you proffer?
It’s simple, we need better film schools. Let’s start from there.
What other projects have you been involved in?
I have been one of the directors and head writers of the popular sitcom ‘Awon Aladun De’. I also co-directed ‘Borokini’ which is a telenovela. At the moment, I am working on a couple of film ideas and treatments. One of them is ‘Hosanna hospital’. It is a satire on Nigerian hospitals.
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