INTERVIEW WITH SANDRA ACHUMS
Marion: Sandra, how are you?
Sandra: Am fine thank you and you?
Marion: I’m doing great. Now I know we are very good friends but I do have a few questions that I am sure a lot of your fans out there would like to know about you. How do you feel about answering those questions?
Sandra: I would really love to answer them because it’s really been long now that I have been off the movie scene so whatever it is my fans want to know about me I think am really ready to let them know so you can shoot
Marion: Ok am gonna shoot, now the first question would be, How did you become an actor?
Sandra: It all started 1993 but before then I had an interest in acting because I was in the drama society in secondary school but after watching the movie Living in bondage and seeing the actors in action I picked more interest and knew that was what I would love to do and that’s how the interest developed and that opened my eyes to the movie industry in Nigeria at the time and made me aware of the existence of such a profession.
Marion: Would it be right for me to say that you always dreamt of becoming one?
Sandra: Maybe but not necessarily because back then I did not know about the existence of the movie industry in Nigeria, so I wouldn’t say I dreamt about it but I would say that I used to do lot of dancing and singing as a kid in school and I knew it was in me but I never knew there was an opportunity or its existence back then, remember we are talking of the beginning of Nollywood back when it wasn’t even known as Nollywood.
Marion: So growing up would you say you wanted to be an actor or was there another profession that you had a keen interest in?
Sandra: Yes actually, I really wanted to be a lawyer I always loved the challenges in law, all the argument and making my point and opinion in certain issues. Aside from that I am very business minded.
Marion: So was becoming an actor an accident?
Sandra: Not really, I knew I had it in me to act, it was something but I didn’t know it would be my first choice
Marion: In retrospect are there any fond memories that you have till date as a Nollywood actor?
Sandra: Yes, I’ve met a lot of interesting people and have had the opportunity to act alongside a lot of important, interesting and talented people in the industry. It offered me the opportunity to travel all over the world; meet new people and I’ve been to interesting places, being on different movie sets and played a lot of interesting characters that one would ordinarily not play in reality, so I would say I have my own fair share of fond memories that will last me a lifetime
Marion: That’s wonderful to know. Now where is Sandra Achums located nowadays and why?
Sandra: Well right now am in Germany, Nunberg to be precise, you know motherhood calls and I have to answer so I just took some time off to make a family which I believe every woman would love to do, so am in Germany with my kids and husband at the moment
Marion: What is life like outside Nigeria (what is it that people do not understand about living abroad), form your own perspective?
Sandra: It’s not really easy ‘cos it’s a whole new experience all together, you’re new to the weather, the people,the food, the language and everything in all respect and now u have to adapt to so many changes, its not really easy but I thank God that with the help of my husband, kids and a few good friends that I have made here I have been able to adjust
Marion: So do you love Germany?
Sandra: I wouldn’t say love bcos home is always the best the language barrier does not make it easy for one in my profession and when I have productions I have to deal with the dilemma of who will baby sit my kids. If I was back home, I’d still be active in the movie industry but everything is different in Germany, its just not the same and honestly I prefer it back home
Marion: Was it a good decision for you at the time to relocate to Germany or if you had the opportunity now would you change your mind?
Sandra: I would say it was a good choice because in our culture a woman has to move to stay with her husband and that was what happened in my case so I have no regrets at all ‘cos I believe that when duty calls you have to answer and be responsible besides, I can go home anytime I want to, but for now, am happy where I am.
Marion: Any plans to go back home?
Sandra: Probably, am still considering it but am still thinking about it. It’s not easy relocating after staying abroad all these while, one would have to re-adjust all over again in Nigeria.
Marion: What would it take to get you back home
Sandra: Nothing really, It depends on my husband and the agreement we have together after talking about it.
Marion: What is happening to your career? Should we expect something new from you soon or is that it or are you planning to branch into another genre of entertainment??
Sandra: Probably when I go back home, I will have so many things to do ‘cos it’s not easy for me here you know Germany is not an English speaking country so that will be the primary reason for my going back or relocating to an English speaking country …I might nit be fully into acting, perhaps I go into movie production or Directing or other aspect of the movie industry, I’ll be very active in the industry for real
Marion: You have two kids? What is the joy of motherhood like for you?
Sandra: It’s the best thing that can ever happen to any woman on earth because it is God’s desire for us as humans and I feel like I have done my path in keeping his mandate to “Go forth forth and multiply”? I feel totally fulfilled for God’s mercy in my life.
Marion: Any plans to have more kids?
Sandra: Aahh Marion, (speaking Yoruba) o sa fe ki n so ro yi sa (you want me to go there?). Yea, probably, YES
Marion: Like how many would you like to have?
Sandra: Maybe one or 2 more, you can’t really say, you might say three and end up with four so u cannot really say but u might end up with another one
Marion: Ok is there any chance that you are pregnant (of ‘cos your’s sincerely knew already, I just wanted her to go there, lol…)
Sandra: Eemm, yes, am expecting
Marion: You are? (laughing…)
Sandra: Yea, am expecting (laughing)
Marion: Okay, Congratulation
Sandra: I don’t think that pregnancy is something that you can really hide, so, yes am pregnant
Marion: Girl, you deserve the best, congratulation once again
Sandra: Thank you
Marion: A lot of people are not clear about your marital status, can you clear that once and for all?
Sandra: Eeeemmm, for me I would not like to make my marital affairs public because I once had a problem with my first and that has taught me to be private with such matters but as far as am concerned I don’t have a problem. it’s all ok, am good. As far as I know, my relationship with my husband and kids is great. There is no problem at all.
Marion: I will definitely respect your privacy considering what you have been through in the past especially with the media
Sandra: Thank you
Marion: What is your relationship like with your husband or should we address him as the father of your kids?
Sandra: He’s my husband, he’s the father of my kid, he’s my friend and he’s my everything all rolled up in one.
Marion: Tell us something about him that nobody else knows?
Sandra: Oh what can I say, he’s just too perfect, he’s gentle, and he’s caring. He’s just every woman’s dream man, really
Marion: I kinda knew you would say that but I would really like to know more and without being too inquisitive, we need to know what makes your relationship special, something that no one else knows about your relationship with him?
Sandra: We share a lot in common, he understands me and I feel like we complement each other
Marion: How do you deal with rumor mongers especially as it concerns your privacy?
Sandra: To be realistic, I don’t listen to them anymore and that’s one thing I love about my husband, a lot has been said about me that are false and my husband has come to know me and realize that people are always making up stories to cause problems and confusion in peoples’ marriages with false rumors and gossips. His eyes are wide open now and he knows not to believe everything that he reads because of the trust that we have been able to build with each other. So am not bothered about it nor do I have time to patronize such shallowness in some journalists or rumor mongers.
Marion: Are you of the opinion that you give up the right to a private life as a “celebrity”?
Sandra: It has always been like that but I think it is wrong because you only see celebrities in movies and you don’t really know them. You think you do but you don’t. Celebrities do need their privacy and journalists and rumor monger need to try to confirm stories before tarnishing our image. We are human beings too. People just enjoy sensationalism in the media and their voracious appetites have to be continually fed by junk magazines. People are always wondering what is going on in our lives, they do not even know anything about us other than what they read in magazines and people just go with it and I do not feel that it is right. Readers need to be more perceptive about stories that they read. There is a good side to celebrities especially in their private life other than scandals and who one is dating or not dating.
Marion: If you could re-write the story of your life, which part would you change and which would you not include?
Sandra: None, I believe in God so much and he said that before we were born he knew us. I believe that everything that has happened to me is all ordained and I wouldn’t wanna change anything. I do not blame God at all but rather I thank God for every blessing(s) that I have experienced in my life. I believe that sometimes certain things happen in your life to get you to a certain place in your journey and who are we to complain about it.
Marion: I know that families are a support system, what is your relationship with yours?
Sandra: Mine has been so wonderful. I am blessed to have a very close family with this kind of bond ever since I can remember. The kind of bond that one can only dream about. In everything that I have been through in my life, my family has been there for me as a solid rock. They have been very supportive and they guide and guard me through the rough path and help navigate me to the right direction. I look forward to building that in my present marriage and nuclear family.
Marion: Do you consider yourself a role model to upcoming actors in Nollywood?
Sandra: Well, I would say that I have played my own part and it all depends on the upcoming actor’s views and opinion of me. If they believe that I have paid my dues and they see me as such, then it’s all good by me and would be much honored to be seen in such a light.
Marion: I know you have a son and a daughter, what would be your reaction if they wanted to become actors?
Sandra: Nothing (laughs), I would love it but they will have to go into it the right way and be sure that it is what they want and really prepare them for what to expect. My parent gave me the opportunity to be what I wanted to be and do what I wanted to do. People saw actors as wayward and never get married but I believe I’ve proved them wrong When I started it was a different scenario, things have changed nowadays so I will encourage and advice them to play by the rules but they have my full support.
Marion: Who do you look up to in the acting industry in general and who are your role models in the world as it stands today?
Sandra: In Nigeria, I love Liz Benson in those days, I really like Joke & Olu Jacobs, I really think they’re very talented. Internationally, I love Mel Gibson, Danny de Vito, Denzel Washington and so many more. I like the way they have carried themselves through their entire career and are still relevant in the industry till date.
Marion: Your fans would like to see you grace their screen once again, when should they expect to see you?
Sandra: Maybe the next 2 years because my baby is due is due next year so I still have to wean my baby and when am strong enough I will come back
Marion: As an actor, does “motherhood” and “wifehood” interfere with a woman’s career and did it affect yours?
Sandra: Not really, my case was different because I was far from home (Nigeria). I remember that I shot movies while I was still pregnant and even while breast feeding back in Nigeria, so I do not think that is the case at all. For me it is more of environmental barriers, I was far away from Nollywood. That makes it next to impossible for me to do anything. You see, in acting, there is a role for every person, character and age so one can always fit in comfortable. Combining “motherhood” and “wifehood” with ones career in a foreign land put its toll on someone and I think that is what happened to me.
Marion: Can you compare the “old generation” Nollywood actors to the “young generation”?
Sandra: I believe that the young actors have it easy nowadays. Back then, it was very challenging and people did a lot to distinguish themselves and earn their right in the industry. Now there are more people willing to invest their money into a movie production than in the past so the new generation are enjoying better than we did back in the days
Marion: Talent wise, would you say the old generation actors were better or would you say that the new breed actors are more talented?
Sandra: Back in the day, one had to put their all into acting and one had to merit a part in a movie and because it was a new industry then, there were a lot of people chasing after very few positions and roles much like demand and supply. Back then, we would audition for a role with countless others so it was a stiff competition. We also had to rehearse to get our blockings and our lines and it was tough. Nowadays, I know that an artist can have 4 or 5 scripts and shoot all simultaneously within 2 weeks; it’s so much easier today. I know some will disagree with this point of view but I am an actress so I know what I am saying. For you to be an actor back then you had to be very very good at your game and sell the market but now it’s different, things have changed and it’s not the same. Then, we gave our all and we stood the test of time and the present generation would have to stand the test of time also.
Marion: What advice would you give the somewhat notorious ones in the Movie Industry?
Sandra: It all depends on the individual, if acting is your chosen career, fine but you have to be ready and understand the industry you’re in and understand the problems that are in the industry and the entire price you have to pay for fame, like giving up your privacy and being made a mockery of in the tabloids. If after a thorough search you think you cannot handle it, it is fine, It is not a do or die affair ‘cos there are other aspect like behind the scene - make up, camera handling etc, that you can do very well in. So they should understand what Is involved and what it take and when you are convince that it is what you want, you have to be prepared for the ups and downs that is involved. You have to be educated about the job and ready and the sky could be the limit If you persevere.
Marion: If you could trade place with someone else, who would it be?
Sandra: Nobody
Marion: Not even someone like Oprah Winfrey?
Sandra: Nobody, because I don’t know that person to say the least, I might say I wanna be like the outward appearance of that person but I do not know what they are going through in their personal life that you and I are not aware of. For me, am happy just being who I am and I am very comfortable in my own skin.
Marion: Am going to mention some names and I want you to describe them in one word:
TUFACE - Extraordinary
GENEVIEVE – Wonderful
OMOTOLA – Cool
BIMBO AKINTOLA - Cool
PETE EDOCHE – Awesome
JOKE SYLVA - Amazing
PASCAL ATUMA - Super
CHICO EJIRO - Cool
MARION – Fan…ta…bu…lous
(Both Laugh laugh laugh laugh……………)
Marion: Fantabulous? Na my own different?
Sandra: No babe you’re awesome, jokes apart.
Marion: Ok, I’ll take that and run with it (laugh laugh laugh). Now is there any other thing that you would like your fans to know?
Sandra: Actually I have plans to go into NGOs, it’s something I’ve always wanted to do and have a passion for a cause that is very dear to my heart would be, the MOTHERLESS BABIES, I would like to contribute my own quota to helping stabilize them and also help out other less privileged people in the society..
Marion: Awwwh, that’s really wonderful, I do wish you luck with it and pray you get all the support you need when the time comes.
Sandra: Thanks babe
Marion: And I wanna thank you for meeting with me in Frankfurt – Germany last December
Sandra: Oh that was awesome, unbelievable and I appreciate you a lot Marion. I hope we can do it again, the girl talk and heart to heart was fantastic, I haven’t had that in a long while. Thanks to you too.
Marion: Am sure we’ll do it again someday soon, perhaps this time we can meet in Switzerland with Jennifer Eliogu and have a blast.
Sandra: Yes oo, Game on (laugh….laugh….laugh……)
Marion: Thanks for your time babe.
Sandra: You’re welcome anytime my dear.
No comments:
Post a Comment