Banke Adewunmi
Banke Adewunmi is a fast rising actress. In this interview with
our reporter, she talks about her experience as a victim of sex abuse and what makes her tick.
It is not quite popular to find actresses who effectively shuttle between the Yoruba and English languages movie genre, how do you manage?
I am an organised person. I have a chart of where I am going to be every hour. So, if I have an appointment on a Yoruba language set I do it and if it is on an English language set, I make sure I get there on time.
What about the times when there are unforeseen circumstances?
I try to factor in a contingency plan for all of my productions, so if there is any challenge during a job the contingency plan comes into play. Presently, I am here attending this event, but I know you won’t find me here in an hour time because by then I would be in a location.
You have spent just four years in the movie industry and there is this talk that you want to produce yours, are you ripe for it?
The truth of the matter is that very few people want to feature you as a lead character if you are not involved financially with the production or you don’t have the connection. If you don’t have access to all these things why not do your own thing. If you have to move on and act as the lead in a movie you have to produce your own movie.
So that’s basically why you are producing?
It is and it is also all about a forward movement.
A lot of people will argue that you don’t have to produce a movie to be the lead character, what do you think?
They might say that, but they are not in the industry. I am a part of the industry and I know what I am saying. By producing my own movie I will have a lifeline. You just have to find your way around it.
What motivated your passion for acting because you seem really desperate to be popular?
I have always wanted to be an actress from when I was younger.
It has always been my passion. I remember that when I was quite younger I always interprete roles alone, but I knew it from then that I would be an actress when I grow up.
What is the storyline of the movie you are producing?
Basically, it is about trust. It is about trusting nobody, trusting yourself and nobody else.
Is the storyline coming from a personal experience?
Not really, it is just something that I thought about and turned it into a movie script.
You shuttle between Nigeria and America quite often, what is there for you?
I have my personal business outside the movie industry and I have to travel to get supplies.
So there is no man waiting for you there when you travel?
When I travel it is for my business.
Would you tell us a little about this business of yours?
Glitters and Glamour is the name of my company and we have a clothing line. I am also about to produce my own line of body cream.
Are you about to produce another skin whitening cream?
It is going to be a range of product so that people can pick what they want. If you are dark complexioned and you want to look fair and if it is vice-versa. We will also have a range of product which will take care of wrinkle and other blemishes.
You have a clothe line, you are about to produce a movie and your body cream project is there, where is the money for this projects coming from?
I started my business when I was in the university and I have done well for myself. I think it is time to expand the business and I am only using the capital I have.
Who are the actresses you admire in the movie industry?
I like Bukky Wright.
Why did you single her out?
I think she is very mature, very cool and I like the way she acts.
Are you also attracted to the controversies surrounding her?
I don’t know about any of that.
A pretty face attracts a lot of men, do you agree with this?
It is a normal thing. If you are beautiful men will always come and if you are fair and pretty, they will come in double fold.
So how have you been handling them?
I handle them maturely.
You are not married why are you not giving men room?
Because I have a man in my life and I can’t double date. Often times when these men come I tell them that I am taken and they will find a better person, so they most times don’t have a choice but to move on.
Tell us about this man in your life?
It won’t be proper for me to be discussing my affairs on the pages of newspaper; if not for my sake, I have to respect the man in my life.
What is that part of your body which men just can’t resist?
I know I have an attractive and enticing body, but I would say my bottom is quite enchanting. My boobs are also another part of my body which I have been credited for.
How often do men tell you hello dear you have a nice bottom?
They don’t talk to me like that. They say things like ‘hi you have a nice shape’ and I naturally know they mean my bottom.
Have you been sexual harassed in the movie industry?
Yes. I have experienced it.
Can you share your experience with us?
It is just normal in the industry. I have experienced it more than once. I just feel that is what they do in the industry.
So how did you manage the situation?
I turn them down. They often come with the line that if you want to play a lead role you will have to get down with them.
Have you been in a situation where a producer or director knocks on the door of your hotel room and ask you to open up?
It does not happen like that because most times they come to you on location and tell you if you want a bigger role they can influence it. But I tell them if you can’t cast me on merit let me go away. That is the kind of person I am.
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