Pretty plus size Nigeria actress, Ademola Allwell is one of the most sought after actress in the movie industry. She is not just an actress, she is a producer and also a Movie Director. She is the granddaughter of Nigeria’s First Chief Justice (Justice Adetokunbo Ademola). She is a bundle of talent and has a very exceptional way of interpreting her role. She joined the movie industry in 1985 and she has been able to make herself relevant due to the blockbuster movies she produced and the ones she directed. Allwell has produced and direct over 50 movies and still counting.
She started directing movies 7 years ago and she has been able to carve a niche for herself in that sector. Recently, at the City People Movie Awards 2019, she won The Best Movie Director of the Year Award.
This is because she is very good at what she does and she is at the top of her game. The film Etiketa, produced by Saheed Balogun in 2010 made her popular. She started acting in 1985 but produced her first movie in 1992, ever since she has not relented, she has produced many blockbuster movies which made her earned the love of many.
Some few days ago, at City People Movie Awards 2019, she spoke with TOYIN OGUNDIYA about her life, a career as an actor and the challenges she faced as a Female Director. Enjoy excerpts.
How do you feel to be among those that are nominated for the Best Movie Director of the Year Award?
I feel great, I believe that hard work pays and been of the nominee of City People Movie Awards shows that hard work really pays, I feel very good and I feel very happy about it and I pray that I win today so that I will feel better.
You have been in the industry for a very long time, how has it been so far?
It’s been challenging. There is this saying that business before pleasure, and according to what my Dad usually tell me that whatever business you are doing and you are happy about and you derive pleasure from it, then it is not a job but a living and my career, my job as an actor is a job that adds pleasure with it and I am happy I am doing what I do despite the thick challenges.
You are not just an actress, you are also a Movie Director. How do you cope with being a female director because most Movie Directors are male. How as it been ever since you started directing movies?
Right now I don’t have any challenges but when I first started directing movie, most people believe it’s only a man that can direct movie, but I made people understand that directing movies is not gender base, in as much as we have both male and female actor, it is not wrong to have both male and female director. You just have to know your crowd and know what you are doing. Anybody can be a director.
How long have you been in the industry?
I have been in the entertainment industry since 1985, that is about 34 years ago.
At what point did you start directing movies?
Over 7 years ago.
Which movie made you popular?
I would say Etiketa.
What year?
That was 2010 by Saidi Balogun.
Aside acting, what else do you do?
I am a designer.
Are you wearing one of your designs?
Yes.
You are an actress, producer, director and also a fashion designer. How do you balance all?
Well, everything is interwoven. As an entertainer, you must always look good and dress nice. Everything works hand in hand, being a scriptwriter, actor and a director, you act on a field, on the same field you direct, on the same field you produce. And of course, as a designer, you also design costumes. So everything works together.
You have been in the industry for 34 years and you are still very relevant, how does that make you feel?
It makes me want to do more, that is why I am not relaxing, that is why I keep working so that I will not be forgotten. I want to be relevant, so I keep working, I keep doing more.
How many movies have you directed so far?
Over 50 movies.
What about the movies you produced?
I have lost count. Really can’t remember.
As a movie star, how do you deal with advances from men?
The truth of the matter is, it is very normal for every female to get advances from men. The same way I will tackle it even if I am not in the industry is the same way I have been tackling it. If I am not interested, I am not interested. If I think we can be friends, we are friends. There is no abuse anywhere.
Can you tell us about your background?
I grew up in Surulere, I am from the royal family of the Alake of Egbaland, I am the grandchild of Sir Adetokunbo Ademola, I started acting 1985 from TV series, Tales By Moonlight, Animal Games. In 1992, I produced my first movie “The Ground Promise” and in 2006, I came into the Yoruba industry.
Would you say the industry has improved compared to when you joined 34 years?
There are changes, we are improving by the day, we are doing better, we are doing top-notch movies with high tech cameras and most of us are educated, even the uneducated ones have furthermore. There is a lot of improvement.
What do you have to say to youth that look up to you and see you as a role model?
I want to tell them to trust God first, go to school, get education, get trained and again, it is not a bed of roses. There times you go for auditions and you don’t get selected but don’t lose hope. I have also gone to auditions and I get disappointed at the end but to the glory of God, I am where I am today because I didn’t lose hope.
Did you learn acting under any caucus?
No, I didn’t.
What about directing movies?
I learnt directing movies from Saheed Balogun.
What inspired you to go into acting?
I love entertaining people, I have been acting since I was a child. Then Uncle Wole Akinoso will come to our school to check for brilliant students that they would be needing for a role and when I went to the first location, I enjoyed it and I want more, that was how acting started for me.
What was your biggest challenge since you started acting?
Getting money to produce my movies, that was my very first challenge in the industry and it is still a big challenge to a lot of us.
