Q & A Interview With Filmmaker And Actor Odera Ozoka

At last year's Pan African Film and Arts Festival at the Culver Plaza Complex, filmmakers Rahman Oladigbolu, Odera Ozoka, Pascal Atuma, Hollywood publicist Ngozi Mba, myself and several other filmmakers joined us at the after party events and we've been talking ever since...Great guy!

Excerpt:

Before we proceed in this interview, how about some history regarding yourself?

A little about me, I am a writer, director, and producer. I was born in Benin City, Nigeria, to parents from Nnewi in Anambra state. I grew up loving movies and tv of all shapes and forms, from Nigerians tales by moonlight, the horror movie "Nneka" the pretty serpent; to American and Indian films like "Snake Girl," "Abba," "Akubba," "Anthony," etc. I moved to the United States when I was sixteen, studied computer networking, then attended the New York Film Academy for acting and directing. I graduated, produced couple of shorts, a music video, and directed my feature film "Soul Diaspora." I went on to produce the movie "IJE" with Genevieve Nnaji and Omotola Jalade. I produced a play called 'Far From An Angeles Gaze' and TV pilot 'Maison Blanche' with my company 'Sacred Drum Company' founded by a group of smart pan African artist dedicated, telling human stories that entertain, educate and enlighten the audience. So, yeah, that's me in a nutshell. Whew, I feel I just gave my whole life story. lol!!


How is filmmaking and acting; and what inspired you into all these stuff?

I've always loved telling stories, growing up around family members. I remember sitting around night fires as stories were being told. I always cherished those moments, and i guess those memories never really left. So when filmmaking found me, it found me with a wealth of information to draw from and I'm lucky in that sense. All in all, I love the process of making films. I love the collaborative process, the problem solving, the managing...all of it; they drive me.


About a year ago, we were all at the opening of the festival and your movie "Soul Diaspora" played at the Culver Plaza Complex as part of the festivities commemorating the 17th Annual Pan African Film and Arts Festival. How did the movie "Soul Diaspora" do?

"Soul Diaspora"-- the feature I shot in ten days on a "nothing budget" on the streets of Los Angeles did really well during its festivals run. It was nominated for three African Movie Academy Awards(AMAA) and won the 'Best Film' by a filmmaker in Diaspora at the AMAA. It also took the 'Audience Favorite Award' at the Pan African Film Festival(PAFF)--we were all thrilled those of us who worked on the film because it was all blood, sweat and tears; shooting 17, 18 long hours per day- so it was very humbling and fulfilling being rewarded- something we all cherished and can't wait to duplicate. The Gods were smiling upon us for sure and we were grateful for that.

This year, your movie did not play at the festival. Are you working on bigger projects or something?

Yeah, this year PAFF I didn't have any films there because for the whole of the year I've been working on a theatrical release of "Soul Diaspora" in specific cities here in the United States, and we are closed to finalizing those deals.We would after then head to Nigeria to premiere it there so the audience can get to enjoy it too. So yeah, busy busy busy, but tons of fun, I am excited.


What kind of stories will we be seeing in your new projects?

As of the moment, I'm currently in pre-production on my new film simply titled "Biafra"- based on the civil war that swept Nigeria during the late 60's. I shoot that at the end of the year and I'm really looking forward to it. I am also working on a story on the Niger Delta and if the earth is aligned, I'll shoot that sometime late next year. I am still working on that script and that too is coming along very well. So all in all, my next two directing gigs a very politically, charged, dramatic thrillers.

How do you come up with ideas for projects like that?

Man, have you seen the news lately? I don't have to look too far (Laughs) to find material. I mean what happened in Egypt alone was more than enough to inspire me. Then I see what's happening in ivory coast and I say man I have to keep writing; in other words, I just look around man to get inspired with ideas. I get them from TV. I get them from paper, and I get them from a simple conversation like this one we are having.

Do you think you made the right decision by becoming a filmmaker in a much challenging environment?

Definitely. You see, I believe we all are here on this planet to serve out a purpose, no matter how big or small. Filmmaking is my purpose and I love doing what I do. I love writing, I love collaborations, I love that whole process you know? so yeah. But like you rightfully said, it's also a very challenging business. You have to love this job a hundred and ten percent to thrive. Its not easy....but when you love it, what can you do?

Where do you see Nollywood 10—years from now?

Nollywood is the new Hollywood. Plain and Simple. I mean I don't care what people say about how cheap and badly made Nollywood films are; the truth of the matter is the pioneers started a business without any support, and or love from their government but instead flourished on the basis of telling their own stories, survival and just good savvy: hard core determination. Its because of people and families like the Ejiros, Amatas, that people like myself can proudly call themselves filmmakers today. Without those brave guys and many others from the late eighties through the early and mid nineties, there would be no Nollywood. Thanks to them you have new filmmakers with opportunities to tell stories their way. Some travel out to learn the craft with the intentions to make film better... and its only getting better. I believe in the next ten years(probably before) the West will be coming to us for material--we will be in demand. I mean it has already started.


In your opinion, how would you evaluate small film projects and festivals where they are shown, and the impact they have created in the industry?

Small films that are good are really important. Thank God for festivals that take a chance on films like mine or any other films out there with a particular message. They give us filmmakers a voice, a place to speak and that's a beautiful thing. I equally love the AMAA, they have tapped into something special too, where they can celebrate African films made by Africans, you know? So i think its great when festivals support smaller films, especially ones that might not get to see the light of day in a proper theater because of some kind of provocation or taboo in the core of the films made. Also, festivals is a solid place to look out for up and coming Kar wai's, Chan wook's, Kelani's, Ousmane's, Haneke's, etc

In your Generation whose work do you find interesting?

I love Wanuri Kahiu's work. I think she's talented...there are others but they don't come to mind at this time, but there are definitely some great talents out there.