LATEST UPDATE:
No woman can come between my wife and I –Victor Ibe, filmmakerPopular film maker, Victor Ibe aka Dr. Paul, CEO of Naidoh Film Production is poised to storm America for this year’s edition of AFRIFIMO Film/Movie Festival to receive an award for his movie, Chinalo the Shy Virgin in October. With over 32 movies and still counting, Ibe has come a long way. In this chat with The Entertainer, Ibe bares it all on his career, how he was duped in Lagos in his quest for greener pastures abroad, and how Zeb Ejiro inspired him.
Excerpts:
In Nollywood you’re popularly known as Dr. Paul. Why?
It was as a result of an earlier movie produced by me where I also played the character of a medical doctor by the name Dr. Paul. Popular actress, Nadia Buari also featured in that flick and ever since, the name just stuck.
When exactly did you start movie production?
It wasn’t a tea party. I came into Nollywood in 2005 after a friend, Uchenna Ibonabor introduced me to the industry. We became friends but it wasn’t easy getting sponsorship for our movies. Luck smiled on us when a politician based in Dublin, Ireland, sponsored our film, Strange Affection, featuring Mama Gee, Desmond Elliott and Eucharia Anunobi among others. That was my first movie in Nollywood. I was associate producer while Uchenna Mbunabo was producer. We did another one entitled Secret Game which we sold to a marketer out rightly. It featured Mercy Johnson and Desmond Elliot.
So, at what point did you produce your first movie?
My first movie was Emotional Blunder, featuring Mercy Johnson, Clems Ohameze, Eucharia Anunobi and directed by Ikechukwu Onyeka. I also produced When You Are Mine featuring Emeka Ike. Others are Confidential Romance and Everlasting Love.
How many movies have you produced so far?
I have produced over 32 movies both in Ghana and Nigeria and still counting.
Which was the most successful?
Emotional Blunder was the most successful. Presently the internet has evolved as a powerful tool for movie marketing and I am exploiting that. My movie, My Unborn Son, which was released on 2013, has been an internet success; it has garnered over 3000 views. Chinalor the Shy Virgin has garnered over 500 viewers and it keeps getting better. Presently, The Unthinkable, another of my movies is doing great. I recently lunch my own internet platform known as Nollywood Kingdom dedicated to movie marketing online.
How do you feel on your forth coming award slated for October 1st in America?
Honestly, it’s an honour been appreciated for creativity. I have been working hard and God has been so faithful. I am elated that Chinelo The Shy Virgin got the nomination and won the award for Best African Film award 2014, AFRIFIMO Film & Movie Festival. Winning in that category is a great encouragement for me.
Where exactly do you hail from and could you share some of your growing up experiences?
I hail from Imo State but I grew up in Umuahia, Abia State. I am from a family of eight. I am the third child. My parents were not rich and my father died 16 years ago.
While growing up, did you ever think of becoming a film maker?
I never thought of becoming a film maker. I didn’t grow up in Lagos. I was born and bred in the east. I started business after my secondary education. Eventually, I closed my business for my quest to travel abroad to seek greener pastures. My mother borrowed money to support me so I travelled to Lagos in preparation for my trip. Unfortunately I was duped! Consequently I was frustrated and I couldn’t go back home to my mother because her expectations were high. I fled to Abidjan where I stayed for six months but made no progress so I had to relocate to Lagos early 2003; life was that rough! Thereafter, I gained admission to study at the Lagos State University where I bagged a degree in Mass Communication.
At what point did you embrace film making?
It was on the fateful day Zeb Ejiro lectured us on cinematography. I was inspired by his passion for filmmaking. He told us that if he had another opportunity to come back to this world, he would become a movie producer all over again. Honestly, I drew inspiration from him and became passionate about movie making. Luckily, God connected me to Uchenna Mbunabor and today the rest is history.
Which is your most challenging movie?
It is entitled Tomorrow Must Wait featuring Omotola Jalade Ekeinde, Nadia Buaria and Rukky Sanda among others. It is my most challenging because I invested so much but got little in return. You know featuring Omotola on a movie means big money and there were other big names as well on set. I expected the movie to be a hit but it gave me the greatest shock of my life, it never made sales. In fact, it took me over two years to recover and produce another movie because of the loss. I was almost discouraged. I had to sell my car and that of my wife and run to Ghana to produce movies. In fact, I learnt that movie making is not about featuring big names or investing so much but telling good stories. Chinalor The Shy Virgin is making waves because it’s a good story. I just got a deal in London because of that movie. And guess what, there is no A-list artistes on the film; the biggest name is Ebube Nwagbor.
You are working on another movie, what is the title?
It is entitled Perfect Snake though I don’t want to let the cat out of the bag for now but it is the story of a wealthy and dubious man. In fact, it is a very interesting and complicated story featuring Annie Idibia, Chief Remy Ohajiaya and Daniel Kanayo Daniel a.k.a DKD among others.
Tell us about the woman after your heart?
The woman who rules my heart is my wife. I met my wife in church during a friend’s birthday thanksgiving and I got attracted to her immediately. We courted for six months before we got married. And we are happily married with three kids today.
How is your wife coping with your absence from home because of the nature of your job?
I give it all to my wife because staying married to a producer is not easy because you are always outside your home, sometimes for months. And the more your movies are successful, the more your absence at home. And she cannot stop praying for you so it not easy for her. She keeps trying her best to endure and tolerate you.
How do you handle female advances, especially in an industry where a lot of girls are desperate for movie roles and fame?
It is natural to have female admirers as a successful producer but the ability to be assured in the love of your trusted spouse, who gave you the opportunity to do your job without any regret is paramount. I have a beautiful wife at home. I married her before I became popular as a producer; there is no amount of seduction that will kill the bond I share with my wife.
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