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

[nathan]

sir i want 2 be a member of AGN

[maimuna amadou]

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.
i am a muslem and u were in cameroon long time in down beach u were with fred amater dagora and the others zaccheis i do belief we can act it is my dreams to become and actress so do make it for me well here is my number u can call if u want me 00237 747 51 80 ladymaimunaamadou@ahoo.com i beg u in the name of Allah
hopt to hear from u soon
my regards to ur wife

[peace_nimnan]

please zack,
With all due respect, i wish to communicate you at this time of the day. Sha i've not got so much to say but a resounding "kudos" to you and your crew.
Keep on educating and informing through your own God given talent.
I've got a script for sale, you may like to go through it.
Peace_nimnan2@Bigfoot.com.
legendsxsniper@yahoo.com.

Peace Nimnan Yaknan
A theater arts student of the university of Jos.

[peace_nimnan]

please zack,
With all due respect, i wish to communicate you at this time of the day. Sha i've not got so much to say but a resounding "kudos" to you and your crew.
Keep on educating and informing through your own God given talent.
I've got a script for sale, you may like to go through it.
Peace_nimnan2@Bigfoot.com.
legendsxsniper@yahoo.com.

Peace Nimnan Yaknan
A theater arts student of the university of Jos.

[Hawa]

hey zack.i am a big fan of yours. i love your movies they are the best. i hope u keep acting more ok.e-mail me at sexychickgrl@yahoo.com ok.

that all for now
love you

[stylish1]

hi zack,love your work,i think you are doing a great job. keep it up.love you.

[Rita Uadiale]

Hi zack, you are a genius i want to say that u are really good in acting. you have always acted a good and patient husband and also a ritualist or a cultist. hope u used to pray very well because it is not easy to act that kind of role without been strong in prayers. pls keep doing what u are doing.

[Achoh Oryne Odilo]

Hi Zack,
I am a young Script writer resident in Yaounde Cameroon. I've got 7 scripts for sale and since you are my best actor i will like to see you act in Cameroon or any other country. I equally want to join you act together. My names Achoh Oryne Odilo. I am a boy of age 23 and i'll welcome anything of yours. Best regards

Cell 00237 707 7897
email achohoryne@yahoo.com

[Princes Kayemba Sarah]

Hello Mr Zack Orjil i am so obliged to communicate to you through the mail.I am a Ugandan based in the UK, but honestly you NIgerian people you are far away in as far as african movies stands.We the Ugandans we were so pleased by your visist and the and the movie you directed as well as acted in and please will you come again and try to do more filming with our people because i believe we have got good actors and actress.

I really like your personality i i bet you are a role modle to moat people who wish and are in the feild of theatre and please keep it up.

[Adaobi]

Hi Mr Orji,

You are one of the best Nollywood actors. Keep it up! I'd love to see most of the movies listed in your filmography again. God bless.

[CELESTINA IKPEKHAI]

Hello Zack,
you are great, I admire you a lot. Please pay more attention to your wife's feeling because many got divorce because they could't bear seeing their husband with another woman especially when they want him by all means. Your wife is also a special woman; bear in mind that your family should come first in all things.

[mosco]

Dear Mr Zack
It is great to read your biography through the net, and have seen some African countries that you had connections, meanwhile, i am a Nierian and precisely Igbo origin but residing in Abidjan in Cote D'ivoire, so i will like to contact you so that you will come over to ABIDJAN and esterblish since you have the billingual, Besides, the people of this country have developed the interest in home movies and do wellcome arthors like you, Pete Edochie, Ranson nowal etc.
Pls, if you are interested, with this idea you can contact me through my email address (evermosco_blessed@yahoo.com).Looking forward to hear from you soon.

Regards

Moses

[martha davies]

hello Zack
i am deaf and my name is martha i was bron in the wast africa call sierra leone but i am living in the U.S.A now with my family and i loved all ur movie in all my live i only buy many of ur movie all the time if i see any new. and i true want to become a acter but i am deaf sorry but i already did some act with the sierra leone people before. i want u to be my father why because i can see that u are a good father in my live. ok anyway if u need to know more about me please email me on my email is marthadavies24@yahoo.com thank you and i already know that God is still blessing you and your family alot and God true love u too. thank u.

[martha davies]

hello Zack
i am deaf and my name is martha i was bron in the wast africa call sierra leone but i am living in the U.S.A now with my family and i loved all ur movie in all my live i only buy many of ur movie all the time if i see any new. and i true want to become a acter but i am deaf sorry but i already did some act with the sierra leone people before. i want u to be my father why because i can see that u are a good father in my live. ok anyway if u need to know more about me please email me on my email is marthadavies24@yahoo.com thank you and i already know that God is still blessing you and your family alot and God true love u too. thank u.

[Leisi]

Mr Orji,
You have brought lot's of laughter and tears in my house. Your role in coperate runs gave my girl friend and i alot to think about. Do things like that really happen? well cheers.............

[ksquare]

No be small thing, i really like the effort u put in while acting. i would also want to go into acting and i would like to know the challenges i might face before becoming famous.
my name is KOREDE and my phone number is 08058879799

[kelechi]

my man i love ur acting u featured well in oruka sunny nneji's song my regards 2 ur wife ngozi. byyeee

[Prince Ose]

pls sir can u call me on 07035400265.i really need to talk to u. thank u

[Ify Nebeolisa]

hi Zack,
Happy New Year. how is your family? hope fine.
Am a member of AGN Awka chapter, I used to watch some of your films you are great keep it up. I hope to see you soon.

Say hi to you wife Ngozi.
bye

[Divine Production]

You can collaborate with us through this this website to view our activities.

Achoh Oryne Odilo
Director

[dps]

If anyone want to collaborate with Divine Productions film and Music company in Cameroon, you can write through divineproduction@yahoo.com or visit our site http://dps.blog4ever.com

Achoh Oryne Odilo
Director

[glance]

Gud Day Zack, it remains a humble pleasure to reach you this day. i have sought for means to reach you but distance impeded my intension. That is much reason to commend you for making provision of this site. Your method in reacting to issues while on stage paint my life with good thoughts on how to manage crises when i will have a home even now i'm still single. You really proved to UCHE JUMBO that you are capable to manage shocks of life and shock of marrage, How i wish you could have time to get back to your fans just to make them feel sense of belonging. I wish you the best of all.
Thanks.
Glance Godstime from Republic Of Benin.

[glance]

I wish to drop My email: godstymeo@yahoo.com

[amaka]

hello are u doing zakorji

[amaka]

hello are u doing zakorji