Nollywood actress, executive producer and box-office favourite Funke Akindele has given a candid look at how her best-known character was created. She sat down in Lagos with international correspondent Larry Madowo for CNN African Voices, and the conversation centred on "Jenifa", the role that made her a household name across Africa and the diaspora.
Why Jenifa Exists
Jenifa first reached a wide audience in Akindele's 2008 breakout film and later grew into a multi-season television series. The character is an unpolished, grammatically chaotic but fiercely ambitious village girl, and Akindele explained that she was built on purpose as a mirror for young people in West Africa.
According to the interview, Jenifa was written to poke fun at peer pressure and the fear of being left out. Akindele pointed to university students and young women who dress up a lifestyle that isn't theirs, or put themselves in risky situations, just to win a place in elite social circles. "I wanted to address the pressure young people face... the copycat syndrome where people want to belong at all costs," she said.
Staying True to Street Level
The interview also looked at why Akindele remains one of the most bankable names in Nigerian film. Her recent hits include A Tribe Called Judah and Battle on Buka Street, both of which are described as multi-billion-naira box-office successes. She said her staying power comes from staying faithful to the everyday struggles of ordinary people.
By explaining the cultural thinking behind Jenifa on a global platform, she also made the case that comedy, done with discipline, can carry a serious message to a wide audience.
What People Are Saying
Reaction online has been warm. Fans and film lovers on social media, and on entertainment portals such as Instablog9ja, have praised Akindele's consistency and pride in her roots. Many see a self-made woman from Lagos holding her own on international television as an example for the next generation. Her production company is now preparing its upcoming theatrical slate.
Source: CNN African Voices
No comments:
Post a Comment