Actor, Femi Durojaiye Recounts 35 Years In Movies, Legacy And Disappointments

Prolific Nigerian actor, Femi Durojaiye has recounted some of his disappointment in the Nigeria Movie Industry. In this exclusive interview with Zebra News, Durojaiye who has spent over thirty five years as a screen and stage actor also revealed his planned legacy, projects and challenges.

Excerpts Below;

To start with, having a career that spanned over 15 years as an actor, how does this make you feel?

My career as an actor started in 1987, and to date that’s about 35 years. It’s been a fun ride all the way, with few disappointments. It’s been an incredible learning process and full of experience. 

A quick recap of how movies started for you?

In the late 90s, around 1996/97 my late cousin Yinka Ilesanmi-Obi invited me to the set of a movie called “Scavengers”, Directed by Andy Amenachi. It was my first Movie acting gig as I had started my career as a stage actor. The rest they say is history.

Can you recall the name of some of your colleagues you started with?

Notable amongst my colleagues I started with and attended auditions with, are Tony Umez and Stephanie Okereke-Linus.

You are one thespian who has been able to stay off controversies, how were you able to do this?

I’ve probably stayed off controversies chiefly because I don’t recognize or know what a controversy represents. My entire career up to this very moment, I’ve done my best to stay upright and give my opinion on any issue based on truth, without fear or favor.

As an actor, what are the factors you consider before accepting to take up a script?

First is the script itself. It must at least be averagely good. I’ve rejected some jobs because the scripts were just too poor. The second consideration is of course money.

What’s your take on the present state of Nollywood?

I think Nollywood has made tremendous progress from the days of “Living In Bondage”. The only weak link is the Screenwriting bit. Mainstream Nollywood is still grappling with the art of storytelling. Even some big production companies have drawn the ire of cinema goers because of the poorly told stories of their Movies. Producers must understand that Nollywood isn’t a filmmaking industry but a storytelling industry. This needs to be well understood and internalized. Nollywood can never be greater than its ability to tell stories for the screen. When we generally master the storytelling art for the screen, then our industry will experience a phenomenal growth. There’s an ever present synergy between a good story well told and the box-office. The act of peppering a movie with so many Stars is defeatist and has no future. Great effort must be made to master the art of storytelling. The story will always be king. 

What do you want to be remembered for?

I want to be remembered for standing up for the truth, contributing my quota to the development of Nollywood and country, and as somebody who cared enough to share.

What’s the latest about you, a new movie or something?

The latest is that I have produced a new Movie titled “Happenstance”. It’s about betrayals, hate, lies double-cross and unfailing love. It starrs Yvonne Jegede, Mary Lazarus, Okey Uzoeshi, Jennifer Nnoruga etc. It was directed by ace Director, Saheed Apanpa. 

How would you describe 2021?

2021 was a very eventful year for me and I’m grateful to almighty God. I was able to start my filmmaking career, I shot two Movies (The Donor and Happenstance) and my Project 100 – Beyond Acting (a platform for actors and other talents, who have problems getting their careers started) took off to a roaring start with some of the subscribers playing lead and sub-lead roles. It’s a dream come true for me as I see these people begin to fly. Although I’m still funding Project 100 from my pocket, I believe in the near future it will eventually fund itself and produce not just star actors but also movie producers who will employ others and create jobs, which is the purpose of Project 100 – Beyond Acting. 

What’s your plan for 2022, especially for your fans?My plan for 2022 is really simple. I intend to produce more interesting Movies and other content, and also get subscribers to my Project 100 more engaged as they need the opportunity to continue to hone their skills.