OC Ukeje: Actor talks authenticity of box office numbers in Nollywood

Are the Nollywood box office figures credible? OC Ukeje speaks to Pulse Nigeria about the authenticity of these numbers.

OC Ukeje has spoken to Pulse Nigeria about the credibility of box office numbers in Nollywood.

The award-winning actor also spoke about featuring in critically acclaimed movies versus box office hits, and his works in 2017.

Read the interview below.

On box office system

First of all, I want to give credit to all the people who are in the exhibition business of Nollywood so far. Because it's incredible that we have come to the place where numbers can be declared and there are actually ways to trace that those figures are legit. We didn't have that before. 

But I also know that some people have their doubts about whether the figures are accurate or if there are discrepancies with them, and I don't know if those are founded or not.

I just think that the people who are doing it now are doing a sufficient job. We do know that we don't have a lot of cinemas yet and there's still the difficulty of what the viewers' participation is in terms of people wanting to go to cinemas to see a Nigerian movie.

I still had that conversation with someone earlier today and she said she doesn't watch it [Nigerian films]. So in terms of what the numbers become, that is a difficulty.

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On transparency

But I feel like, in terms of transparency, I think that we are doing so much better.

I feel like the more we get into more competition, then it becomes necessary for every other exhibitor to be as transparent. So that you know that if you take your work to someone, you are guaranteed that they will give you proper structure, proper box office numbers, and there would be nothing that would be shady.

 

On featuring in critically acclaimed movies versus box office hits

I think that I will go for both because it is very important to be in a critically acclaimed film but to also be an actor that is in box office figures.

If you look at what the structure is like for developed industries, you know you have the big studios who produce action blockbusters, and ton of people who have gotten roles in sequels for five or six year contract which pays a lot of money, which gets circulated worldwide, which guarantees you lots of brand endorsements, which makes sure that you have longevity in your career. 

I will take both because one will give you a lot of money, but one also proves that you are also good at your craft.

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On the year 2017

2017 has been interesting. I think this year I started getting a hang of the balance of living in two different markets [Nigeria and Canada].

It has also been a challenging year. Especially because you have to figure out the dynamic of how to go back and forth. You also want to keep visibility in this market [Nigeria] as much as you're trying for international platforms. 

I think it ended well. It feels good that if you're able to do three films each year that pays you handsomely, and you get maybe like two films released each year, that's some level of success.

OC Ukeje featured in 2017 films "Catch.er" and "Potato Potahto."