Lancelot Oduwa Imasuen is one of Nigeria’s most dependable film directors. Days back in Surulere, with the publisher of SOLIDNEWSNG.COM Online, AZUH LILIAN, asked him a few questions…
What makes a good movie director?
You can’t give what you don’t have. You must be passionate to make people want to see your work. You must be deep to be able to tell a story deeply. You must be intelligent and to intelligently impact on the artistes you are using as your tools, you must understand lighting and must understand every area of the business to be able to make impact.
How long have you been in the movie industry?
This is my 20 years as a practicing director on the field.
What is your definition of success?
Success has no definition and there’s no definition for success. Success is doing what you need to do and you are doing it well and the hand of God is upon you.
How would you describe the journey so far?
It’s been quite thrilling, it’s been exciting, quite challenging, quite fulfilling in all. I give glory to God that the people I joined the business with, today, they are no more. So, I give God the glory that He has given me life and sustained me to this level.
What is your dream for the movie industry?
To see us do global things, to see us take our stories to the global scene. To see us do things that are expected of us and that which is expected of us to do.
Who are your mentors in the industry?
Basically, when we joined the industry, there was actually nobody to look up to.
What were the challenges you encounted when you started?
You know I am from the minority and coming in with my Edo brain in the industry that is pre-dominantly Igbo and Yoruba and all of that, it was a bit of a challenge. But when people understood that this guy is coming with something unique that will break within a very short time… And since then, there are so many things we want to do that we don’t have the funds to do. The environment is not very conducive and you know that we are the pacesetters. It’s not easy creating a film, especially when there is no format to it.
What do you do for relaxation?
Hmmm! I don’t want to lie. I do not have any routine at all. I am just too busy. Even right now, I’m trying to see my work done. I travel out and when I travel, I relax. I am traveling tomorrow.
Tell us more about yourself.
I am Lancelot Oduwa Imasuen. I am happily married to Aimuamwonsa Lancelot Oduwa Imasuen. I have three daughters, Ebuwa Hephzibah, Osato Monalisa and Iyesogie. I am a film maker, I love what I am doing and I believe that we can change the world using the arts.
