Background about Ebbe:
Ebbe Bassey was born in the Bronx, NY and raised in Calabar, Nigeria, West Africa. She is an actress, writer, producer who believes that art should educate and entertain. She studied the Meisner technique of Method acting at the William Esper Studio under the tutelage of Ms. Maggie Flanigan.
In 2007, under the umbrella of her production company, 10Wembly Productions, Ebbe produced her first short film “Siri Oko Fo (Mending Fences)” which she co-wrote, executive produced and starred in as the lead actress. The film made its debut at the 2008 Cannes Film Festival Short Film Corner and has been accepted at other prestigious film festivals such as the Hollywood Black Film Festival, Boston International Film Festival and most recently Urban World, Newfilmmakers and London’s Raindance Film Festival.
Ebbe has had the great fortune to work on such shows as NYPD Blues as well as Law & Order: SVU and on the latter she served as a technical advisor on the episode “Snitch” which dealt with female gender mutilation in Nigeria. She has also been seen in other short films such as “A Spoonful of Sugar” which won Best Student Film at the Hollywood Black Film Festival in 2003 and aired on the Showtime as well as “African Booty Scratcher” that recently aired on HBO. Recently, she completed work on “DRAWN” by director, Zev Tabor and “The End of Winter” by award winning director, Nefertite Nguvu.
Ms. Bassey has been profiled in magazines such The Nigerian Sunday Guardian, Daily Independent’s Positive People, Momentum MV, Ladybrille and Obaasema. She is in the planning stages of her next short film, “Saving Father.”
INTERVIEW
GET TO KNOW EBBE BASSEY
Question 1
Who inspires you and why?
Response
My family members are a great, great source of inspiration to me especially the women, my grandmother being numero Uno. She was a force of nature, someone to be reckoned with at all turns. She was not the most educated woman, with only a 6th grade education but that woman raised her eight children and countless other people who lived in our home with an effortlessness that can only be admired. She was a wise women who managed her family with great ease and taught us all that God is first, family is second and all else comes after that. She instilled in all of us a sense of dignity, pride, grace and of family, love and respect for of our culture and tradition, confidence, work ethic, honesty, strength, respect, love, humility, manners, charity and generosity. She ruled her roost, looked good doing it and she rocked! All the women in my family are creative, they paint, sing, dance, write, act etc and so I get my creative genes from them.
Question 2
What do you do in your spare time?
Response
I love spending quiet time by myself indulging in the little things that make me happy. I am of the opinion that if one doesn't like ones own company then one can certainly not be good company to another. In those quiet moments spent in my own company, I love to read, watch movies, take leisurely walks, listen to music and write when inspired. I volunteer once a week at an organization called God's Love We Deliver as part of the kitchen staff. The organization works on preparing and delivering nutricious foods for those who are terminally ill with AIDS, Cancer and other diseases. I just completed a four mile race/walk to raise funds so the mission can continue successfully.When I spend time with my family and friends, I like to go out to dinner, share a nice bottle of vino, have long conversations, go dancing, maybe play a little board game, see a play, go to the museum, take a trip etc.
Question 3
Are you currently dating anyone?
Response
No, I am not dating anyone at the moment. Why? Do you have someone in mind? LOL!
Question 4
What qualities do you look for in a Man??
Response
I am first and foremost looking for a man who knows that God is the beginning and the end...nothing matters, nothing we accomplish as a unit means absolutely anything without Him as the front runner in our lives. I want a man who understands the power of faith and prayer. I want a partner who will share with me the tears and the glory as his confidant and friend. I would like a man with a strong sense of family who will make a wonderful husband and father. I would like a man who will not stifle me but will be loving, respectful, kind, generous and romantic. He has to be confident in himself but not arrogant, be able to laugh at himself, have a passion for his vocation and a sense of adventure. I don't expect a perfect human being because Lord knows my flaws are many. I do believe you attract what you are and so I am working to continue developing these attributes I am seeking in another, in myself as well.
Question 5
How would you deal with a nosy and interfering mother in-law??
Response
I do believe the value my mother in law places on my marriage depends very strongly on how my husband presents our relationship to his family. If my husband presents me as a persona non grata then there will be cause for his family to treat me as such, however if my man takes me to his family and presents me as a person who is of importance in his life, as a person who is an asset to the family, not a liability then I think his family will follow suit. He has to set the boundary; he has to set the tone. I will always defer to my husband in regards to his mother if (heaven forbid) I do get a mother in law who is as you said "nosy" and "interfering" because that is his only mother and she will be forever. I believe in respecting my elders even when they are dead wrong because if you are right, it will surface eventually...no need to argue. I believe in the adage, you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar. Additionally, the bible says that the wilderness is a better place to stay than under the same roof with a contentious woman. I never want to be that kind of woman in my family...I want to always try to be the unifier even when I have the totally understanding that you will never be able to please everyone.
Question 6
Would you consider going back to Nigeria to continue developing
professionally and why or why not?
Response
At this point in my professional life, I don't know about going home permanently to continue with my craft but I am certainly open to collaborative partnerships with my creative brethren at home. I am still taking baby steps in the industry here as it is and the industry at home is a different terrain and I don't know if I am ready for such a permanent and major change.
Question 7
What do you think of the negative image that Nigerians has gradually
acquired over the years due to the 419 scams??
Response
I am always wary of these political questions because you can never please everyone with one response. All I will say is this, in the world of business there is supply and demand so obviously there is demand for what the schemers are supplying. Everyone has to accept responsibility for their part in the negativity, the person who bites the bait is as equally culpable as the person setting the bait. Having said that, our government needs to increase its effort to provide the people of Nigeria with the very basic needs of a nation such as jobs, education, health care, social infrastructure like electricity, water, better roads, security etc. In my most humble opinion, I don't think there will be a need for people to involve themselves in activities that are blight to our dreams of being a respected nation if their needs were met but then again, there are always those who are an exception to the rule.
Question 8
What would you like the world to know about Nigeria and its people?
Nigerians are intellectuals! I will use the United States as an instance; there is absolutely no field of study that you will not find a Nigerian. We are in your hospitals as nurses, doctors, assistants, technicians, in law firms, computer/technological departments, building your roads and buildings, teaching in your schools, running your economy etc.
Nigerians are creative people! We shine in music, writing, art, plays and films. Nigerians are abundantly blessed! We are not only rich in the area of natural/mineral resources; we as a people have a very strong sense of our culture and tradition. We are very proud of our heritage and we let the world know about it. Nigerians are a colorful people! We dress with style and wonderful arrays of colors. We are hot and we are spicy. We are boisterous. We are musical in our language and in movements. Nigerians are a praying people! We were voted the happiest people on earth so that tells you that Nigerians are a hopeful, optimistic people! We are a people of indomitable spirits. We are survivors.
Question 9
Finally, where do you see yourself in 5years
Response
I hope five years finds me healthier, wiser, and stronger spiritually, at the peak of my game professionally, married and raising my children with my husband. Really, I don't ask for much.
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