C.J.
Obasi made a movie without a budget. That's how he puts it. In picturing the no-budget project, one visualizes
an enthusiastic filmmaker with a camera, a story and the right amount of
courage. His stunt worked. His film, Ojuju has been reviewed by some very
remarkable film critics and screened in film festivals around the world.
CJ
was in Edinburgh few months ago to discuss film and the many ideas in his head.
In this brief interview, CJ talks about his new project and his producer who is
coincidentally his wife and how the story Ojuju was born.
Ojuju,
the movie seems to be your breakout story. How did you decide on the story?
I was visiting a friend in this cut-off and tight-knit
community, which later became the location for almost the entire shoot. The
area has only one point of ingress and egress. I noticed, they also had only
one source of water, from where everyone fetched from. Different scenarios
began to play out in my head, as I began to wonder what would happen if this
one source of water got contaminated, turning all the residents into flesh
eaters, and making it hard for any survivors to escape.
How has the reception been?
And tell a bit about your Edinburgh trip.
The
reception has been massive. You must understand, it’s a really small film. A
no-budget film, a true labour of love, and we didn't think it would go as far
as it has. For a film to premiere at a prestigious film festival (AFRIFF) and
win the Best Nigerian Film award, then go on to screen at great festivals
worldwide (PAFF, Shockproof, Fantasia, etc), as well as garner critical acclaim
from reputed international critics such as Todd Brown of TwitchFilm and Frank
Scheck of The Hollywood Reporter is great achievement for any film. But even
more so for a no-budget film! Certainly more than anyone ever
imagined...including us, Edinburgh was brilliant. It's always an enlightening
experience being able to see things from outside one's own terrain. It gives
you a fresh perspective on things. And as a creative fellow, that's an
invaluable thing.
What are the advantages you think the Nigerian young
filmmakers have?
So many untold
stories; a treasure of untold stories yet untapped!
If you were to remake the
story, based on your exposure to film screenings, would you change a thing?
If
the remake comes with funding, yes sure. We made the film with no funding, so
obviously there are telling faults that would have been avoided story-wise and
technically, if the funding was available. But it wasn't, and no one would give
us a chance, and we made it anyway. We've learnt from it. We've moved on. I
wouldn't remake it though. A sequel or a retelling from another POV perhaps but
not an outright remake! Let it serve as reminder to us to never despise the
days of little beginnings.
When you are less busy on a
project, what are the top 3 short films you would love anyone to see?
None
that I can recall! I watch a lot of stuff online.
What part of Nigeria inspires
your creativity?
Owerri...because
everything I've ever written, I wrote in Owerri except OJUJU.
And you finished from the
University of Nigeria, Nsukka where focus is more on who graduates with a first
class, how did the school contribute to making you a filmmaker?
School
contributed in no way to me being a filmmaker. When I was in school I couldn't
wait to get out so I could start making films. I graduated though, to make my
parents happy, I guess.
Do you think Nollywood is
ready for action packed film or we should stick to drama?
We
are ready for anything. Anything and everything!
You are young and married. Has
that helped your flexibility as a film maker?
It helps when
your wife is a filmmaker. She's my producer, business partner and adviser.
She's actually the real brains. I'm awfully dumb.
You’re on a project called O
Town. Does it tell of an Owerri experience or just another piece of creativity?
Well,
it is in part semi autobiographical. There are stories there that ring well and
true regarding some time or place in Owerri. But it is mostly a work of
fiction.
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