Majority of the talents in Nollywood (the second largest film producing industry in the world) act in numerous films and then go about their businesses. There are no threats (death) to their lives and families that require they flee the country, just because they choose to tell the Nigerian story. A Nigerian story that departs from the overplayed Nollywood scripts encompassing witchcraft, children house slaves maids and the ever cheating husbands and tolerant wives. A Nigerian story that chronicles the rich history of the Niger Delta region, the discovery of oil in that region, the entrant of Western corporate entities seeking oil, corruption and greed involving the Nigerian government and the massacre of Niger Delta/Oil Rivers people by their own government.
Mbong Amata, our Ladybrille Woman of the Month for April 2011 Film Edition, is telling the untold but necessary Nigerian story that departs from the norm as the lead actress in the upcoming film ‘Black Gold, Struggle for the Niger Delta.’ The film is scheduled for both a Hollywood and Nollywood premiere/release soon. Produced by the extremely talented Jeta Amata (producer of Amazing Grace & Inale and Mbong’s husband), the film has placed her life and that of her family in danger. The seemingly girl next door actress has had to flee the country since shooting the film due to incessant death threats. She granted Ladybrille an exclusive interview discussing her background, her personal experience with the Niger Delta region, career goals, her vision for and the business of Nollywood, the film Black and Gold; and being forced to flee Nigeria among so many topics we touched on!
We are so excited to celebrate this remarkable and brilliant young woman for one month this April 2011. Look out for our press releases and more details on our Woman of the Month next week! In the meantime, enjoy a trailer from the upcoming film featuring Billy Zane, Tom Sizemore, Hakeem Kae Kazim, Vivica Fox, Eric Roberts, Sarah Wayne Callies, Michael Madsen and Mbong Amata!
-Uduak Oduok
Credits
Photo credits: Kem Anyanwu/Photomyface.com
Make up by Veleta Dacosta
A running feature for 12 years on Ladybrille.com, The ‘Ladybrille Woman of the Month’ celebrates women in business and leadership, who empower themselves and others through their contributions and actions in their local and international communities. In 2014, the feature expanded to include a podcast show. If you would like to nominate a woman to be celebrated, please email [email protected].
