The wind of change continues to blow over Nollywood as more and
more professionals are crossing over to swell its ranks. The latest
entrant is Chisom Oz-lee, a pretty up-coming U.S based
producer/actress. She was in the country recently to shoot a new
film starring Ramsey Nouah, Uche Jombo and Mona Lisa Chinda. I had
a few words with her and this is what went down.
BA: Hi Chisom!
C: Hi Bola, how you doin’?
BA: Fine…for the benefit of those who don’t know you, can you
please introduce yourself to us?
C: Well, I’m Chisom Oz-lee, a Nigerian based in the U.S. I’m a film
producer and actress by calling and a professional registered nurse
by training.
BA: Hmm…interesting combination. How do you manage both nursing and
film producing?
C: Quite easily. I produce films about once a year and work
regularly as a nurse for the remaining part. That’s what I do for a
living.
BA: Why the romance with film making? Why not just stick to
nursing?
C: Nursing is a job but film making is a passion. I also combine it
with acting…. I have been acting since my secondary school … even
while in I was in UNN studying English. I took part in a lot of
drama programmes.
BA: Is this the first film you have ever produced? The one you are
currently shooting?
C: No its not. In 2006, I produced ‘In a Stranger’s Arms’ starring
Desmond Elliot, Kalu Ikeagwu and myself. Then in 2008, I produced
‘Lost Maiden’ which starred Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, Bimbo Akintola
and Kalu Ikeagwu.
BA: Kalu again!....you seem to like making use of him a lot…I mean
in your films.
C: (laughs) Yes, I like Kalu…. I mean, I like his acting and I
would have used him again, in this new movie I’m doing but I
decided to opt for variety.
BA: He’s single y’know…
C: So?
BA: Maybe you two could hook up?
C: What ARE you saying?! (General laughter) Bola, behave
yourself!
BA: Don’t mind me.. I like to have fun with my interviewees…
C: No problem… just make sure you get the facts right.
BA: So are you single? By the way has anybody told you… you look a
lot like Lil’ Kim
C: Yes they have and I take it as a compliment and Yes, I’m but not
searching.
BA: What if others are …. searching?
C: Can we get on with the interview please…this is
getting…uncomfortable (general laughter).
BA: Okay, back to your projects…. Tell us about ‘Lost Maiden; your
last film.
C: ‘Lost Maiden’ is something Im very passionate about. It talks
about the scourge of female circumcision.
BA: Tell me more.
C: As a nurse in the U.S. I have seen a lot of cases. Even those of
circumcision.
BA: Of Americans?
C: No, ofcourse not. The women I saw, were living in America but
came from other countries like Egypt, Senegal and one was from
Nigeria. Their cases were pretty pathetic, I tell you.
BA: Im listening…
C: Im going to get rather graphic here….
BA: Go ahead…if it can save a life or sensitize people, the
better…
C: Okay, there are actually different types of circumcision;
there’s the one where just the clitoris of the woman is cut off.
Then there’s the one where the clitoris, labia minora are cut off.
Mind you this is done without any anesthesia, and in very
unsanitary conditions. Also cut are tissues, nerves….
BA: Whaaaat! Chisom, abeg e don do!
C: You have heard anything yet…. After this is done, the woman is
then sewn up crudely leaving only a little space for her to
urinate. She is only opened on her wedding night by her husband.
What then happens is that scar tissue forms and makes birth very
difficult and painful because there is no more elasticity for that
place to stretch when the woman is giving birth.
BA: This affects child birth, right?
C: Definitely! When the woman gets pregnant and wants to deliver,
complications arise because the baby can’t come out on time, gets
distressed and dies. Sometimes she dies too..
BA: But why is it done at all?
C: They say to curb the sexuality of the woman…
BA: And this is still being practiced?
C: Yes… even in this country so I decided to do a film about it
called ‘Lost Maiden’ to educate people on the dangers of the
practice.
BA: Hmmm… this is heavy stuff…so when is the film going to be
released?
C: It has been released in the U.S but it will be released in
Nigeria soon.
BA: Thanks for chatting with me Chisom. I wish you the best in this
crusade again female circumcision.
C: Thank you.