DORA ESSIEN SPEAKS TO BIG SISTER MAGAZINE ON THE INSPIRATION BEHIND HER MOVIE- AKOBUO.

Several years ago, Mary Slessor, a British, came down to Africa, Cross River State in Nigeria to be precised to abolish the killing of twins. This mission is one that many remain truly grateful for. Several years later, so many books and movies have been written and produced in line with a mission she carried out several years back. Fast raising actress/producer, Dorothy Essien tells her own vision via her first movie, AKOBUO.In a recent chart with BIG SISTER Magazine, Dorothy opens up on the inspiration behind the movie. Enjoy.

 

Dorothy Essien

 BSM: The origin of your movie title?
DORA: Akobuo is the original name of the place "Okobo" in Akwa Ibom State.

BSM: Movie Location?
DORA:Okobo

BSM: Inspiration behind the movie?
DORA:I am a strong advocate against domestic violence. Sending a woman packing is not the end of her life. One man's meat is another's poison. This queen was rejected because her co wife set her up and thus her "fate given twins". But because of her good nature, she was led right back into another man's loving arms, despite her status.

BSM: Tel us about the movie?
DORA:It is simply a must watch. A story of a queen who was thrown out of her village, deprived of her crown, husband and all the people who loved her because of her fate given twin children.

BSM: What were the challenges you faced during production?
DORA: Challenges were just the finance since I just wanted to be different in terms of going for good equipment.I had a cast strength of 125 and I had to pay, feed and accommodate them for 2weeks.

BSM: Who would you love express your special thanks to for this movie project?
 DORA:I will thank my parents, siblings, wonderful kids who also starred in the movie and especially the man who gingered me into this profession, Clayton Udo. Seriously, I don't know how to thank him. I'm still thinking of what to do. I used to think I was too fat to get on the screen.I used to feel so rejected and ugly, but he (Clayton Udo) did a very serious work on me, squeezed out the diva in me:Yeah, a lot of people feel "fat" is "ugly". But hey! We were equally created by God, we've got talents, we're beautiful, we're not disabled, we've got the right to do just what we want to do.Dorothy dares to hit the screen despite her body size and she dares he "like" to swing up on their feet and live up their dreams.Acting has been a great passion right from when I was a child.

BSM: What were you doing before now?
DORA: Lecturing. French n English

 Location pictures

 

Dorothy on set with Bishop

 

Maidens in the movie with a set of  young twins actors

 

Dora on set with co-actors

 

Dora the queen