NIGERIANS DON'T WATCH RUBBISH ANYMORE -BHAIRA

•Bhaira
Remember the winner of Amstel Malta Box Office (AMBO) Season 3? If you can recall the prominent role she played in the Super Story series, Evil Genius, maybe you will remember Bhaira Mcwizu, who has featured in many Nollywood movies. In this interview, she shares her experience on the Tinsel set, how she was able to survive the loss of her sisters and the love of her life. Excerpts…

What are you up to lately?
It is a personal season. I am trying not to work too hard, trying to have a vacation. It is the holiday season and I am trying to rest. It has been work, work, work. So I need time to relax and rest.

Do you think AMBO has helped you go this far?
Of course, yes. If it were not for AMBO you wouldn't have known me. AMBO gave me a stepping-stone with which I climbed and they have really done so much for me. I give it to Amstel malt.

You were on Tinsel set?
Yes, I was on Tinsel.
Does it mean you are no longer there?
If they call me back, I will be there. I have been on other productions too.

So, what was your experience?
It was awesome because they have the right equipment and the right order of how things should be. You know everyone is in a particular position; the actor is only concentrating on the lines and movement alone. You don't have to worry about your hair or wardrobe like in other places. Someone would be taking care of that while you just perfect the act of delivering your lines. It was a beautiful experience.

How did you get the job?
My manager then called me to go for an audition. So, I went, did the audition and I was called for the job.

Can you compare the level of professionalism with what we have here?

That is not fair (laughs). It is a far cry from some of our productions. But guess what! So many of our productions are getting really good. I think filmmakers, film producers and actors have begun to realize that the Nigerian audience and viewing public don't want to watch rubbish any more. So, they are paying attention to details like costumes, lines, equipment being used on set and so on. So, everyone is sitting up and trying to meet the new standard.

Which set do you prefer?
Tinsel was really tedious. But what I would prefer is that on every production you see people doing better. You see the costume better, equipment better, lines better, props and locations. I would always want to see improvements in every aspect not just about cutting corners and so on.

What is your take on soft porn in Nollywood?
Is it really in Nigeria or in Ghana? Well, the truth of the matter is that these things are gradually eating into our society. But I think it is not only restricted to acting alone. It also in music and so on. I guess it depends on the actor. What are your principles? What do you stand for? Are you just going to put off your clothes because you want to sell and make some money?

Does it make sense to you?
Some things have to make sense to me, like the lines. For instance, kissing when it is not necessary or taking off clothes when it is not needed. It's just as if someone is trying to make quick money and I think that is the path they have chosen.

Can you take such role?
What type of role?
I don't mean porn itself, but soft porn?
Whether it is soft or hard porn, it still has porn in it (laughs). I have many people I look up to in the film industry, both local and international, and I don't think they had anything to do with porn to get to where they are today. If they have to kiss or be intimate with their co-actors, yes, they have done that, but it is only acting and you have to do it. You can be seductive in a movie without taking off your clothes and people would want to see more of you. It is too in your face, and I don't think they have found a way to go about because it is too cheap. So, it is not appealing and I don't think I am cool with that. It just has to make sense at the end of the day and I don't think it must have an element of porn in it.

What are the challenges you have faced as an actress?

I think that should be private, I guess. Any mistake I made was in the public. I usually want to go out and be alone by myself, but some of my fans would want to take pictures. I am not complaining. I am just saying there are times I just want to be alone. But aside that I enjoy my job, whatever challenges I have I welcome them.

Was there any time you wanted to pull out?
No, I don't think so. I don't think my job is so intense that I would say I am tired of this job, I want do another business.

If you were not acting, what would you have done?
I would have been a diplomat or definitely a lawyer and probably in politics.

Who are those you look up to in the industry?
I like Joke Silva, Taiwo Ajai-Lycett, Elizabeth Jane Azu; I have always loved her. I like Tina Mba and so on. But really, a lot of the older generations, their works are really inspiring. I like Genevieve too, because she seems to be a total package.

Are you married now?
I don't want to discuss my marriage.
No, let's make it clear to your fans.
My fans know who I am and what I do. But the press seems to be making… In fact, I have no idea. I don't know where that story came from. I don't know how it originated.

Okay, but are you pregnant?
Of course, I am 13 months pregnant (laughs).
Jokes apart, are you pregnant?
It is a very good thing if I am, really.
So, how did the story come about?
I don't know o. I don't have any idea at all. Like I said earlier, privacy is something you don't have in this profession; it is a challenge. I have heard all these and my family also heard. Good things are really happening, but I don't intend to divulge them.

Can you share some of them with us?
I just said I don't intend to divulge them. If I wanted to I would have told you.

Why?
Oh! Is that supposed to be your headline (laughs)? But like I said, very good things are happening and I am happy. You know my job didn't allow me to have such moments, but my private life remains private. You know I am insisting because my life had always been an open book for the public. But that part of my life I don't intend to share.

What part of your life are you talking about now?
My privacy.
Are you in a relationship then?
What kind of relationship? You have to be specific. Of course, I am a young woman and, of course, I have a relationship with my mother (laughs).

Okay, are you seeing someone or are you in an intimate relationship?

Yes, I do.
Is the person in showbiz, too?
No. Whether he is in showbiz or not doesn't matter.

How did you meet him?
At salsa dancing and we started talking from there and became very good friends and intimate partners.

When you met on the dance floor, was it love at first sight?

See this girl o! You know love at first sight fades away quickly. But definitely there was a spark. You know, he is nice looking and smells really good. Who knows, but let's see what happens.

Are you saying he swept you off your feet?
We were dancing. Of course, he swept me off my feet.

What really inspires you?
The script has to make sense. You know I have been saying this over and over again. It just has to make sense. Such things would inspire and make me leave Bhaira Mcwizu alone for some time and be that character. So, when she has to laugh, I laugh, when she has to cry, I cry and so on.

Have you ever faced a situation where you get carried away on set and have a crush on maybe a co-actor?

It has never happened to me. I can be very uptight. My mother complains about it too, saying I should try and loosen up. I take my job too seriously until the director says cut, it's a wrap. I return to my real life. Seriously, what kind of life would I be living if I am on set and fall in love with every man I meet. You know there are diseases like HIV/AIDS. No, I have been blessed to work with professionals like Desmond, Van Vicker and the likes. With the level of professionalism these people bring on set, where is there time to fall in love?

Have your parents been very supportive of your career?

Yes, they have been supportive and very firm about my education. At that time what mattered to me was acting. I was really thinking of the education aspect, but my mother got on the way. She was my mentor and tormentor at the same time. When I now found my balance, she then said okay.

Are you saying she stopped you at some time?
No. I am blessed; my mother kept advising and praying for me. She made me realize that I needed to diversify. So, God helped me and I did other things. But I was still able to act.

What was your childhood like?
It was good. I lost a few family members, but it was fun. Then my late father was around, my mother was firm and she gave us Christian upbringing. We had quite a memorable family life.

Did you say you lost some family members?
Yes, I did. I lost two sisters. I think that was a redefining moment for me and I became a rebel when I lost my sisters.

Was it in an accident?
No, she fell ill suddenly and died. She was the person I looked up to and I had always wanted to look like her. She was the one that coined the name Bhaira for me. When she gave me that name I felt it would be cool to bear the name.

How about the other sister?
The other was much younger.
Was she also ill?
No, she just passed on.
Sorry about that.
It's okay now.
Where do you see yourself in another five years?
When you say five years' time, it's like I would be getting old. In a week I do so many things and I might just achieve everything in two or three years. Well, by then I would want to be a big producer and also have an NGO on the side. I want to be a major player in corporate social responsibility. I want to have a huge family, be very important in key roles on the international and national scene.

Which living person do you admire most?
I like Rochas Okorocha. If you read about him you will know that I am not biased. I like Christine Laggard in IMF. If you read her story, it is awesome. But if you want to know the person I admire most, it is my mother to crown it all. I admire her courage and tenacity. She is strong and makes sacrifice for her children and other people.