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
