The name Rita Dominic is a house hold name in the Nigerian movie industry, with countless movies, both within and abroad, to her credit. She was recently in Ibadan at the newly opened cinema house, Filmhouse, to promote the film ‘The Meeting’ with lead actor, Femi Jacobs, where she opened up to IGE ROTIMI
about her desire to produce world class Nollywood movies, among other things.Tell us why you are Ibadan.
I am in Ibadan courtesy of Filmhouse Ibadan to promote my latest project, ‘The Meeting’, a movie which we have been taking round the country.
Since you co-produced the movie, can you tell us what the concept of the movie is about?
The movie, ‘The Meeting’, is a romantic comedy, well, put in another way I would say it is really a bit of everything put together in one; romance, comedy and drama. We made the movie to mirror certain happenings that are happening in the society and proffered solutions to them. We researched and tried to answer some salient questions as regards problematic issues tackling our society and we were able to come out with a wonderful storyline.
Do you have any other movies to your production credit?
No, this is my first and it was a wonderful experience.
Seeing how you have become one of the most sought after actresses in Nigeria, tell us how you’ve been able to achieve that.
I think it is because of my passion for the arts and because I love what I do. These are very important because when you keep doing what you love and get better at it, people would ultimately see the drive for excellence in you. When you have passion for anything, you would put more effort into it. I believe that this is responsible for my success as an actress.
Going down memory lane, can you summarize how it all started for you as an actress and did you think you would be as successful as you are today?
Well, my story is not a new one, but I would say acting started for me like 1998 in the comedy movie, ‘My guy’, which was a film by Basorge Tariah Junior. He was the one who gave me the opportunity. We had both studied Theatre Arts at the University of Port Harcourt and even though he was three years ahead of me, he still gave me the opportunity. He had informed me that he was shooting a film and that he wanted a new face for it. And so that was how I got the role and starred in my first film in Nollywood.
Having starred in so many movies, which ones have remained memorable over the years?
Each role in each movie has its own challenges and all have remained memorable. However, the movies, ‘All I have, All I am, The meeting, Streets of Calabar, Shapa (a Kenyan film shot in Kenya where I played a Kenyan woman) and one that we will be premiering soon which was shot in Ibadan for over six months.
Watching the new set of Nollywood films that are being released these days, one would notice better quality both in the storylines, cast and the production and seeing that you are a part of the pioneering group which have being able to achieve this feat, can you tell us how it became possible?
It gets to a point whereby you become tired of the norm and you try to make a change. We decided to take charge and improve on our content. For me, I decided to go behind the camera and control things so that things can be done how I wanted it. We also have actors who want a change and its was also part of my quest to give something of quality to the industry and fans who have given me so much.
So what are we looking forward to getting from Rita Dominic in the future?
Definitely more blockbuster movies; better film projects with messages that people can truly learn from. ‘The Meeting’ is one of such movies and I intend to do more. In fact, I intend to direct at some point.
Last words to the fans?
I just want to thank them for supporting me all through the years, 13 years already and encouraging me to wax stronger. I love them all.
Rita’s bio
Rita Uchenna Nkem Dominic Waturuocha, born 12 July 1975, in Mbaise, Imo State, Nigeria, is a Nigerian actress. In 2012, she won the African Movie Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role.
Rita Dominic is a member of the Royal Waturuocha family of Aborh Mbaise local government area in Imo State.She is the youngest of four siblings. Her late parents were medical practitioners; her father was a medical doctor and her mother, a nursing officer. Dominic completed her primary and secondary school in Abia State, Nigeria, before heading to the University of Port Harcourt, where she graduated with a BA (Honours) Degree in Theatre Arts in 1999. She started performing when she was a child, appearing in school plays and children's television shows in Imo state. In 1998, she starred in her first movie. She won the City People Awards in 2004 as the Most Outstanding Actress. She has starred in over 100 Nollywood productions.
Courtesy- Wikipedia
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