The Zack Orji Interview Part II

by Joyce Abunaw, PhD

L to R: Veteran SA Actor Zakes Mokae, Unknown, Late Great Ossie Davis & Zack

You must be a unique Nigerian actor since you speak French fluently. Have you thought about acting in French?

I would like to act in French. In August 2002, I was in Kinshasa, Congo where alongside my Congolese colleagues; I did a 5-minute promo in French for Vodacom to promote their short mail service in that country.

Nigerian Movies have become de facto Africa's popular movies. How do you see this evolving?

I see the role of Nigerian movies as a pioneering one. Other sister African Nations will follow our footsteps and begin to do their own homegrown movies.

There will be more collaborations than we have already done with Ghana, South Africa, Cameroon and Sierra Leone, transcending language barriers.

Africanists have always looked for a home grown industry to take Africa out of dependence on commodities such as oil, into things that depend on our ingenuity, intelligence and creativity. One of the allures of your industry is that it fulfills part of the Africanist dream. Have you had any thoughts about hte place of what you do in the bigger picture of African independence and self reliance?

I see us having a Screen Actor’s Guild of Africa and the Diaspora, an idea which I have shared with my colleagues from Ghana and South Africa. From this will definitely evolve a coalition, which will be like a movie haven, where all people of black descent will truly find a sense of belonging and our dreams and aspirations will find full expression.

You are happily married with kids. But as you well know, there are some female fans who would still want to get you in spite of that. How do you handle these advances?

I try to be as polite and friendly as possible, while keeping them at arm’s length.

However, there’ve been times when I’ve had to be rude to some pestering ones. Some times I’ve warned some to stop calling my number. Some ask my wife’s permission to hug me in her presence. Some would just rush and hug me and hope she would not mind or say that much. I am always momentarily embarrassed and do really feel for my wife.

Have you had any crisis with over zealous fans?

Luckily No

I understand your wife is an actress, do you select the roles she acts? Does she influence the roles you play? Are there many couples who are both in the industry?

My wife is an actress. No, I do not select her roles. Sometimes we discuss my roles, depending on the type of role. She does influence the roles I play. There are few couples who are both in the industry. I can count them on my fingertips. About 2 are divorced.

Tell me about your children

I have three children –
Lionel Emeka Orji will be 14 this August 15. In two years, he will be out of secondary school. My plan is for him to study in the United States. He has acted in a few films. He likes drawing a lot. He has already started trying his hands at writing songs.

Princess Laura Chiamaka ORJI will be 4 this March 29 and she is in reception class. She likes music a lot; that much I’ve noticed. Whenever we enter my car she would request that I put on the music. When we are home she would want us to go up to my room and play some music.

Michelle Chidimma ORJI will be 2 this August 10. For now, I would say she is being influenced by her sister in her love for music; but whenever she is watching TV and some music is playing or we are in my room, you see her moving to the beat in her own funny way.

Which are your favorite books ?

Fiction and Auto/Biographies.

Which are your favorite Foods?

Rice (in any form)

Which are your favorite African Cities?
Among those I’ve visited, Lagos, Abuja, Jos, Kumasi, Accra, Freetown, Kinshasa, Johannesburg, Cape Town.

Comments

[ify ohanson]

hi Mr orji, my name is ify, we met along time ago when i was a around 17 in a plane going to owerri my hometown i was sitting next to you and we started speaking french. I am a nigerian also born in a french country i believe making movies in french is really welcome. For instance in abidjan people who do not even understand , interpret them by the actions and create their own stories which is fascinating. i really admire your personality and work in nollywood which makes me sometimes aspire as an actress in the french nigerian movie ones. However i leave in the US where i'm trying to achieve a medical dream. i would be welcome to help in the french nollywood . Merci beaucoup et que Dieu vous garde.Je vous souhaite tout ce que vous desirer dans votre carriere.
ify the naija frenchie

[Christa-Gloria]

I am a silent admirer of your movies. I believe I can act. I am a Cameroonian and very bilingual too. I have a very srtong belief we would both act one day. I am thinking of moving over to Nigeria to begin this carrer please advise me on how to go about it.
Thanks Christa.

[Wilfred Ntaila]

Mr Zack Orji,
I am your Malawian fan and I wish say Keep It Up for the good work well done in ur movies.I admire your ingenuity,calmness,coolness just to mention a few in your movies.You are a gentleman who leaves a lot to admire in your action.Most of your movies are very easy to follow,educative and so on and so forth.Once again Mr Zack orji,keep it up!

[LILY LAIMO]

I love the movies you act in. Sometimes i cry and at times i just laugh. Thanks for the good treatment and respect you give to women. God bless you.

[Eniola Akintoye]

Please log on to www.dejavunet.com and watch my lil movie I did for the Atlanta 2005 Nigerian Reunion.

[dennis udenyi]

hi
zack i would say that u are the most wonderful man i ever seen all i am saying is that anything u want to do keep u eyes fwd 4 u future remains spotless. is from u fans and those who want u to sucessed in life.

[dennis udenyi]

hi
zack i would say that u are the most wonderful man i ever seen all i am saying is that anything u want to do keep u eyes fwd 4 u future remains spotless. is from u fans and those who want u to sucessed in life.

[osagie]

sir greetings from me
4 years now sir , i wanted 2 act .i have passion for acting this is somethingi dont want it to die inside of me i want to release my pontential i stay in benin city. sir, i am 18 yold pls encourage me sir help me to act expecially ur movie try me and out and see if there is anything u can do 4 me may all be well with u as u respon to me.

[Virginia Gaines Ihaza RN]

Mr. Orji I am an African American married to a Nigerian and I love your movies, I dare say you are the Denzel Washington of Nigeria. I am completely in love with Nigerian films and if you need me to market them in America, I will assist you in anyway. I support the arts whole heartedly. My dad was an artist but gave up his career to become a police officer and raise a family but his true love was the arts. Sounds like a great story line. God bless you and your family always and if you are ever in Georgia, you and your family are welcomed in my home and by the way I think I have masterd Egusi soup.

[Udenevo ngozi eucheria]

zack is a great actor and director reading his interviews. but what can they do for the up coming ones. bcos a rich man that did not affect lives with his money can not be said is rich

[vivian timothy]

hi zack,
my name is vivian, i am 23 yrs old, i was born in warri delta state, but i live in port harcourt. i have never missed any of ur movies i think i have watched all ur movies. i would love to be an actress. my younger sister and i used to act together in our church and everyone said we are both good at it. please if u can help me just to act beside u i will be very grate ful. thanks

VIVIAN

[Gloria From Chicago Illinois]

Yes, Brother Dear you have fans all the way in Chi-Town. Greetings to you, your wife and family. I have had the opportunity to view many Nigerian & African movies from Nollywood, and am impressed. I am currently working on a PhD, part of which is to depict those in the African Diaspora in a strong and positive light. Unfortunately, the images we see of Africa in America are only of starvation, poverty, HIV/AIDS, and death. I am sure the images you see of your African America brothers & sisters are of crime, gangs, illiteracy, several baby momma's & daddies (instead of committed marriages), poverty, crime, HIV/AIDS etc. It is my intention to start developing documentaries that show much better images of people of the African Diaspora. Will you assist me on this project? I look forward to reading from you soon.
Thanks Bunches and may GOD continue to Bless You Richly.
Sis Gloria

[Juliet Ezepue]

Hi Mr. Orji i've watched you perform and have come to realize that you are one of a kind. Loved by fans and admired by all. You also have the character of a leader and that of a great person. I want you to continue the way you are for you will go places in years ahead. Juliet

[Anne Marie Azah]

dear mr zack orji i have been watching ur films for over 6 years today and i have discover that u are a very good actor in nigeria. i am a cameroonian from the north west province. may the almighty God bless and prosper you in all your ways.

[Rhonda]

Mr Orji

I am from Grenada, in the Caribbean. Nigerian movies have become extremely popular here, during the last year or so.

The first movie, I saw you in was the Games Women Play. To date it is my favourite Nigerian movie. I think you are a wonderful and smart actor. I appreciate your work.

I wish you God's richest blessings. Keep on acting and growing in your craft.

[Makia Napoleon Nkongho Enoh]

Zack,
I am through with the screenplay for a Serial...close to 200 episodes...
I wish to talk with you with regards to the production...

Will you mind to send your contacts so that I can meet you in Nigeria and we talk...

Sincerely

Nkongho Enoh

Call on

002377853085
002373354911

[chidum okwue]

Hey Zack its me Chidum we met at the Nollywood convention in LA. we never really got the chance to talk but its ok.

Well, i have some good news the Brooklyn Museum saw or watched your movie "beind the Sunrise" on my website and they loved it. The are intrested in screening the movie on October 7th 2006. So contact me as soon as you can cause I need some info about the movie. I'll be going to New York to meet with them on the 27th of July and I have to speak with you ASAP OK dude emil me as soon as you can @ contact@izognmovies.com. I'm still gonna call around to get your number to speak with you OK

Chidum

[elias]

zack,all i wish in ma life is to shake hands with you. am a student at the university persuing IT

[kwesi Hazel]

atimes i wonder why u are given a character thats of repute,u attach so much respect to ur wives in movies and atimes u find it difficult to do wicked 2 a woman and if it is in ur character then ur wife is lucky,but if not add it to ur character traits.anyway im ghanaian and becos of my intention to be in showbiz my father thinks am useless and hence has sacked me from home,just like emeka ike and the rest but i will live my life the way i feel by keeping it real and with the help of God i will be that which he says i shall become.thx 4 inspiring me with ur movies.greetings to Ngozi Orji and the family.

[Oluchi Benyeogo]

Hi.zakky,
I wish to comment on your effort in the movie industry,and your good work in reaching out to the youths.keep the good work on.I am a movie writer and trying to show my talent in nigeria movie industry to change our youth and govt.I wish you will use your good office to make my dream come true.
Thanks
Oluchi

[Tina]

I just want you to know that i live in the states and i watch your movies and just truly fell in love with you. i wish your career all the best.

[golden]

hello Zackie;my name is Golden Guvamatanga,i am from Zimbabwe,i like your movies a lot, i am a scriptwritter and i wld like u 2 feature in my prodns,cld u pliz help me access the mobile numbers of;Andy Best,Great Movies and OJ Prodns,i wld also lyk 2 have yo mobile number.

Thank You
Golden,Zimbabwe
My e-mail adress is;gavam20@yahoo.com,my address is ;Hse number 5122110 street,Warren Park d,HARARE,ZIMBABWE,MY MOBILE NUMBER IS;+263 91 763 882

THANK YOU

[Divine Muzik]

Zack,
Just wondering if you knew when "Friendly Enemies" with Kate Henshaw was coming out. I heard about the filming while you were in Los Angeles, and I can't wait to see the finished product.

[Rashmi Parmar]

Hi Zack,

How are you? We met in LA when you were there filming in July at the ECONO Lodge. I really enjoyed our fascinating conversations, thank you for your interesting insights. Congratualtions on the completion of the project. Trust all is well with you and your family and work.
With best wishes
Rashmi

[Emma]

Zack,

I am from the caribbean Island of Trinidad reside in America i just bought one of your many excellent movies today "before the sunrise". I thank the nigerian movie industry for such great entertainment.