Mercy Aigbe-Gentry’s new movie, Life After Marriage (Leyin Igbeyawo) was said to have gulped about N8 million. The movie, shot in Lagos would storm the country and beyond soon with its unique storyline and professional production.
However, during an interview with ENCOMIUM Weekly, the delectable actress disclosedmore about the movie, why she featured Ghanaian actress, Juliet Ibrahim and much more.
What has been happening to you in recent times?
I just finished work on my new movie entitled, Life After Marriage (Leyin Igbeyawo). It was a very big and star-studded movie featuring stars like Seun Akindele, Olu Jacobs, Saheed Balogun, Juliet Ibrahim who was acting her first Yoruba movie, Jude Orhorha, Funsho Adeolu, Fathia Balogun and more. The movie was directed by Lancelot Imasuen, which also was his first time directing a Yoruba movie.
What inspired the movie?
The story is about a young lady called Moyeni and her experience, what she had to go through not by choice but by fate and providence. She did not have a choice of what`s happening in her life and how to deal with the woman she turned out to be.
What were the challenges you encountered during production?
My major challenge was funding because it was not easy for me to get people to invest in the movie. But at the end, I had to raise some money. I also had the support of my husband. My marketer, Adekaz Production also supported me in this project.
What would you count as the pains and gains?
For the gains I can’t say for now probably when I get the returns of the money invested in this new movie, then I can count my gains. As for the pains, I’m yet to see any. This is a movie that would be taken to the cinemas across the country as we are planning a UK premiere, US, Dublin, Canada and Nigeria before it starts showing in the cinemas.
Being a star-studded movie, how were you able to get the likes of Olu Jacobs, Juliet Ibrahim, Fathia Balogun, Seun Akindele, Jude Orhorha in one movie?
It was not difficult for me. Once you have a very good story and technical hands and you approach any serious actors you want, they read your story and fall in love with it. They’ll always want to be part of it. Once they know you produce good movies, they will always want to be with you. When I had the story, I already knew who and who would fit into each role. I approached them with the script, they fell in love with it. Uncle Olu Jacobs was on set, because he is a veteran, an icon and someone I look up to in the industry. He is one of those who paved the way for us in the industry and someone I have so much respect for.
How were you able to groom Juliet Ibrahim into a Yoruba movie?
I had a director who was directing his first Yoruba movie same as Juliet Ibrahim, but my scriptwriter also played the role of an assistant director. So, he was the one who took Juliet through her lines. The character she played was not compulsory for her to speak Yoruba all through in the movie. She was so excited about learning the language and as an artiste, it’s also exciting when you are doing something new and challenging because when you do the regular thing all the time, it gets boring. Besides, she was also willing to learn
Would you say your marital experience contributed to the inspiration of this movie?
They are two different things. As a film maker, I`m an advocate for change, a lot of things are happening either in marriage or other areas. I believe I can preach change through the kind of movies I produce that someone out there would feel the movie is talking to him. So, it had nothing to do with my own marital experience. It is a movie that is preaching hope and it would correct a lot of things, especially in marriage.
It is obvious that you are enjoying a blissful marriage, how is it treating you?
I am enjoying it because I married my own husband and my best friend. Marriage becomes easy when you marry your best friend because he/she is someone you can easily relate with.
You featured in the movie, can you tell us about your role?
I played the lead character in person of Moyeni. The way she saw marriage and her experience was not easy because she had many nasty experiences, things she did not wish for herself but was born into it
What are the lessons people would learn from this movie?
With this movie, I am trying to preach that we should be very careful with the way we deal with each other. It is also a movie that is telling parents that in whatever you do, you should be careful because it might affect not just you but your “generation unborn”.
How much did the movie gulp?
It is a big budget movie but I would not want to disclose the figures.
Apart from Life After Marriage, what should we expect from you?
Lots of my fans are asking when is Osas Omoge Benin 2 coming out but I promise them that after this movie, they should expect the concluding part of. Osas Omoge Benin 2.
What advise will you give to young ladies about marriage?
They should take their time before getting married. Don’t allow yourself to be pushed into marriage. At whatever age or time you get married, the most important thing is to find your life partner because the truth is that when you find the right person, you just have to be happy. It’s when you are happy that you can be useful to your society and be productive.
Maybe because marriage is an institution ordained by God, it is going through a lot of things. So, I feel the devil is taking it personal to attack marriages, be it celebrity. Marital problems are not synonymous with you being a celebrity or not. I just felt it is a serious issue that needs to be addressed. We should know that marriage is a divine institution and when we say we are married, no matter the challenges we should learn to cope and make the best use of everything we have. Marriage is not a bed of roses.
