Bruno Iwuoha belongs to the older generation of Nigerian movie Industry. He is often cast as an Elder, Chief or Father. In all he is an experienced actor who never disappoints.
Not much has been heard of him lately, but this actor is not only involved in some other businesses, he’s into one or two productions. Bruno Obinna Iwuoha, spoke to Chidinma Egbuchulem about his career and Nollywood.
Acting career
Before entering into Nollywood, I was into services with NAPCON as a contractor. We used to supply different services to different oil companies, until one day I got an invitation to act. That was how I accidentally found myself acting, not minding what we used to do in school.
Number of films
Though I can’t give a correct figure of the number of films I have done, they are more than fifty. Well, among my best productions is The Sins of the Flesh where I played the role of a Rev Father, alongside fellow actors like Chioma Chukwuka and Francis Duru, which gave me the Best Actor award at this year’s AMA. I also played a part in Fire on the Mountain, directed by Chika Onu. This film was nominated, but I don’t know what happened after that. These are among the number of films I have but I don’t know the exact number.
Work and family
Well, I plan my day just like every other person does. I’m always in touch with my wife and children. My wife gets to know about me, what I do, if I have prayed, eaten and so on. So, she often plans my day and reminds me of my relationship with God, including some other things, so that if I’m in a production I don’t miss them at all.
Philosophy
Well, I came into this world a humble person, so, I have to be able to impact that humility into my children and the people I meet, and at the end of time leave a mark that will make people talk about me.
Other interests
Apart from doing one or two things that will put money into my pocket, I love working in God’s vineyard.
Re-branding Nigeria
Unfortunately, in the movie industry, actors want to be recognised. They feel they have to be contacted or asked to come and showcase what they have. Honestly, our today’s actors will go a long way in re-branding Nigeria. I remember those who were there before us, like Arnold Schwarzenegger, the governor of California, who automatically is a high standing symbol. As an actor of the decades, the country looked at him through his movies and saw that he could do a lot in their economy and other sectors, as well as giving America a good image. So, when he indicated interest to run as governor he was given the chance.
Today, there are a lot of personalities in the entertainment industry like Abike Dabiri, who commands respect. If Nollywood is invited to actively join in the campaign for re-branding, I know they will come out with jingles, promos and all that will put this country in the forefront. Nollywood actually can create awareness about the fact that Nigerians are good people, so that our friends, the police in and outside Nigeria will treat us with respect and high esteem. So, if the actors are seen as icons, then Nigeria is re-branded.
Nollywood versus Bollywood and others
If given the opportunity, I will say that Nollywood is the best and first; Nigerians have taken over the world today; people will think I’m in sane, but, no, I’m not. Take for instance, two labourers are asked to work with, one is given a complete facility to work, while the other wasn’t given anything to work with or is given a faulty instrument, and the man with the faulty instrument is doing nearly as well as the one with a good facility, how do you rate them? Nigeria has no industry that produces radios from the scratch to the finish, not to talk of cameras, tapes and recording machines.
We don’t have the money to purchase new equipment. The equipment we import are the ones thrown into the dustbins in the producing countries. We buy them and use our technical know-how to clean them.
Imagine those kinds of equipment, they have now become a problem, causing cancer, because they are second-hand products infested with virus.
I will rate Nigeria as the best because we started with nothing, but now we are recognised; it’s highly commendable
Piracy
It’s a cankerworm that has eaten deep into the fabric of the movie industry. It’s a cancer that’s not doing us any good. Funny enough, we don’t have any technical instrument that will help buyers to identify an original CD plate. It’s a pity that Nigerians love cheap materials — quantity, not quality. they flood the market with any of the materials that you have laboured for.
The producers and marketers have suffered untold hardship, because after getting loans from the bank or selling what they have in order to produce a film, the moment the films get into the market, pirates hijack them and make their own copies. They will compound ten movies into one CD and sell them for as low as N400 which does not allow the marketers to recover their money. That was why I said Nigerians love cheap things. The producers and artists are sent home empty.
There has been an argument between the Census Board and the Marketers. They have, however, failed to get us (actors and producers) involved to help map out ways of eradicating the menace. Instead of using the money they are supposed to pay us or spend inviting us to be part of the liberation, they use it to hire senior advocates and the police leaving us out of the picture.
I want to use this medium to appeal to my colleagues to abandon acting and look for something that would sustain them. By so doing, the Census Board and the Marketers will bring the lawyers to act for them. Let’s watch it, tomorrow they will plead with us. Charlie boy once said he was cleaning up the piracy stuff; today we are nowhere near a solution.
Advice
Perseverance is the key word, the moment you are there, give peace a chance, and wait for your time. Respect is the key to success for any young actor or actress. If I come across Pete Edochie, I still give him the respect because he had been there before me.
Extra charge for extraordinary role
I have been very selective in all my productions. There was a production I did and they wanted me to play the other side of me. I was asked to play a sugar daddy role and, of course, make love to a girl; I objected immediately because if my child watches that movie and asks me “daddy, what are you doing here?” How would I have explained it to the young child? I won’t act any role that will spoil my image and name.
Way forward
We have bundles of ideas and talented people that can take us to the next level.
The moment the Census Board and Marketers settle their differences and involve the actors in their deliberations, then even the Americans will come and ask what the secret is.
I also want to suggest that the money spent on unnecessary litigations, should be used in equipping the industry.
In Nigeria, we use plastic guns to shoot unserious movies. Government must come into the movie industry otherwise armed robbery, prostitution and other vices will never cease. The way forward is by encouraging us with good conditions of service. If government invests in the movie industry, a lot of people will get involved. In the absence of that, expect more robbery, prostitution, cultism and other vices.
Filmography:
World Apart
Another Bondage
Faces Of Love
Days Of Hatred
Two Bad Boys
Double Mind
Eagle’s Bride
Forever Yours
Jealous Lovers
My Own Share
My Portfolio
Occultic Battle
The Price and The Princess
Sins Of The Flesh
Spirit of Love
Strength Of Love