Fixing the society through my films is my major priority -Ifemechukwu

By Fun Code Media

He joined the Nollywood industry as a location driver, but now, he drives the industry as one of the leading producers of blockbuster movies. Ifemechukwu Ibeh is a resolute person when it comes to quality delivery of home videos. As the Chief Executive Officer of Ifeme Divine Production Limited, he hails from Ozubulu in Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra state. As a business minded person he is, he tells his industry experiences in this interview with Media Personality, Ugochukwu Favour-Mayor.

Excerpts:
Can you briefly tell us how it all started for you in the Nollywood industry?

It all started in 1996, when I joined the Nollywood industry as a location driver. Though then, I had an opportunity of appearing in my first movie, which was Silent Night, a film produced and directed by Chico Ejiro. That was far back, when the industry was operating with VHS, you can imagine when they hustle all started for me. In that very movie, it was more like an opportunity, because it wasn’t so serious, even as I played the role of an extra alongside other major casts of the movie.

Since my appearance in that very movie, I furthered the journey while working with the then big names like O.J Movies, Infinity Productions, Emmalex, Alex Merchandise, Amaco Investment and many others. These were people who held the industry strong in terms of constant production of films. And it was cool working with them then; and the experience of working with them even helped in shaping my present position as a producer.

Did you later think of furthering your career in acting?

Yes, I did! I really thought of acting further, but then it was so tough that I had to pull out even as a location driver. But later on, I returned. When I returned, I started as an associate producer under Divine Touch Productions Limited. And the film I started with as an associate producer was Men In Love. As time kept rolling, we worked as a team in producing Ada-Mbano, which you know was a blockbuster movie. Today, we have some other well sold movies like, Ofe Owerre, Madam Success, Strippers, Sex Slave, Dirty Secret and many others.

How about your most recent movie, Mother’s Club?

It’s actually a good movie, though we had financial problems, but we were able to overcome it. As you know, it ended successfully, and it will soon be in the market.

What inspired you to go for such movie?
The need to fix a society with the right attitude and mindset to living; it was what inspired me. The movie, Mother’s Club is about two belligerent women who went for another marriage while keeping an existing one. And the question was what could make them go into another marriage? Could it be self-enrichment or what? It’s a suspense-filled one, I must say. It got directed by Reginald Ebere, while starring Mike Ezuruonye, Uche Ogbodo, Clarion Chukwurah and few others.

What is your area of concentration when it comes to story to produce?

I do glamour movies, but I concentrate a lot on family related issues. There are things going wrong in homes, and they need urgent attention for proper correction. Through my films, I help to put those things right.

What is your love for the Nollywood industry all about?

Right from my childhood, I have always loved entertainment. And I believe, it was exactly what attracted me to the industry. And here in Nollywood, we have this accommodating industry. Everyone here is accepted, and you have the opportunity to showcase your talent without anyone being a hindrance to it. So, I will say that the love I have for this very industry is numerous.

Outside being in the entertainment industry, where else would you have seen yourself?

From where I come from, we are business minded people. I would have gone into the business of buying and selling, but it’s all good that the industry took over me first, and I couldn’t help it. Maybe in the nearest future, I will try my hands in other trades, even as I can’t put my eggs in one basket. But for now, film production is my area of concentration.

How challenging is the industry?
It gets tough day after day. Though it all falls on marketing, and which involves the piracy aspect. You will work so hard to get fund, you go to location to produce, and finally when the movie is out, you then see your films being added to a DVD compilation without due permission. It’s a problem for us who are independent producers. We are using our hard-earned money to produce, and we are not getting support from anybody.

Another issue bothering us is the one on power. Today, you can’t find light in homes for our movies to be watched. Not every house could afford the excesses of a generator set. And you know that people at homes are our film consumers. If they don’t enjoy good light, they can’t enjoy our films.

Outside all these challenges, what motivates you?

There is this popular say: A quitter doesn’t win, and winner doesn’t quit. It’s a popular say, and it keeps me going whenever I feel like quitting. A lot of people stopped on the way as a result of the challenges faced. But remembering that assertion, it encourages me to do more.

While working with Divine Touch Productions, what level of support did you receive?

I got a lot of support and experience. I will not be fair without appreciating this wonderful man in the person of Mr. Kingsley Okereke. He is the Chief Executive Officer of Divine Touch Productions Limited. He is one man who likes to encourage people in business. He is my friend, but then, I owe him a lot for his show of love and support. I also want to thank his amiable wife, Chisom Juliet Okereke who brings out her quality time in developing good stories for all my films. That we have good stories that are making our films to be blockbuster ones, it is all because of her support. She writes and screenplays for us. Also don’t forget that behind a successful man, there is a woman. I won’t forget to mention the name of my beautiful wife, Vivian Chinwe Ibeh. She is a very supportive wife.

With all the experiences you’ve gathered for yourself in this industry, what advice would you give to people aspiring to be here?

I would want to advise the younger people. Before investing into any business, try as much as possible to study it. Take a good survey of what you want to do. We have a lot of fake people in the industry, who are claiming to be what they are not. They are out there to reap people off their money. One has to be careful. Be mindful of those who call you into business for investment. Be careful with your kind of association, it’s very important. Then pray for the right people.