Alex Ekubo is one of the new generation actors who are elevating and expanding the Nollywood frontiers.
At the Silverbird Galleria (on Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island, Lagos) on Friday, May 6, 2016, YES INTERNATIONAL! Magazine’s AZUH ARINZE chatted him up, but strictly on acting. Excerpts…
What can you say about your role in ATM (a new movie from the stable of Lancelot Imasuen)?
My role in ATM and as Robinson is that of an average Nigerian youth or African youth who just wants to get out of poverty real quick, cutting all the corners and trying to find a quick way to make money; get on-line, find an unsuspecting victim and involve her with love and promise her heaven on earth in a bid to marry her, and take all her money…
What’s the difference between this role and all the other roles you’ve played in the past?
I mean, you saw the movie yourself. It’s pretty much different from all the stories I’ve done before. I played the character who brought a white girl to this country for the purpose of obtaining by trick. I will say it’s different in its own right from all the movies I’ve done before.
What got you interested in acting in the movie in the first instance?
The caliber of people involved, the producer – Lancelot Oduwa Imasuen is a veteran in the business, he’s someone who is well respected, whose name rings a bell and then the cast, the story; the story is very important to me. It’s a story that at the end of the day people can watch and say oh, I learnt this from this, I’ve learnt that from that. We know that nothing good comes easy, hard work pays at the end of the day; your sins will catch up with you and then we are trying to always promote Nigeria, our country and to let people know that this is the only country we have. So, we have to stay here and build our country. Everything will be better for us and our children.
What makes a good actor?
One who is willing to diversify, one who is willing to try different things. I mean, I was a bit scared about all this comedy; it’s not my genre, but with proper guidance and research, and ability…once you have your acting chalks and the ability and the willingness to learn, you can act anything or do anything.
What do you like most about being an actor?
The fact that I get to play different characters. In one movie, I’m a doctor, next movie I’m a banker, next movie I’m a comedian, next movie I’m a scammer…It’s like I’m speeding through different people’s lives at the same time and in one life time.
What don’t you like about being an actor?
I mean, the pros and the cons. You are out there, your business is out there, people have impressions about you that are not necessarily true sometimes and some just make up things and not care about how you feel and say things about your feelings. Everybody has a right to your life.
What’s the greatest thing that acting has done for you?
First of all, it’s made me a better person, it’s made me a brand ambassador for my country, my state and for my continent. Gradually we are premiering our movies all over the world – America, Nigeria and you know, bridging African cinema and people are recognizing that Nigerians have talent and putting our country out there.
What has acting not done for you?
I don’t know! It’s done everything good for me already.
What would you say is the commonest mistake that most actors make?
Not studying their scripts properly, not coming prepared. I mean, because at the end of the day when you are out there, then you are watching a movie and you say I should have done this, I should have done that. You should always be prepared for your movies.
What’s your definition of acting?
It’s the ability to drop your character, drop yourself and take up a character that you are not and interpret it very well.
What’s the most memorable role that you have played?
My last job, my last job… I mean, Ini Edo said something to me a couple of years ago. She said ‘Alex, you are as good as your last job’. I’ve done a couple of movies in the past, but this is where we are right now – ATM.
Have you done any movie that you don’t like?
No! Everything I’ve done and not done is a lesson, it’s an experience. Now I know how to do some things and how not to do some things.
On a last note, can you summarize who you are?
I’m a God-fearing person, I’m a family-oriented person, I’m a lovable person, I’m a humble, down-to-earth person, someone who is very focused, who cares about where he’s coming from and where he’s going to.