Multi-talented mother, Ashionye Ugboh-Raccah is currently reveling in the relative success of her gender inspired movie titled Journey to Self. The ex member of the defunct group, Emete who has featured in M-net’s produced ‘Doctors Quarters’, Tinsel and Lillian Amah’s Jungle Ride which fetched her an AMAA nomination. She opened up on a range of issues in this interview with AHMED BOULOR.
HAD you always wanted to be in the entertainment industry?
No. I had always wanted to be a lawyer. I liked the fact that they defend people. I see myself as someone who defends the weak. I do not regret forgoing law for what I am doing at the moment. I am sure that I am where God wants me to be.
We know you as a musician, now that you have adopted movies, is that the end of your musical career?
No way. I actually have an album ready. But I am not planning to promote it now. I am still going to the studio to do more music. I am not ready to do any music promotion. You will soon hear from me musically. For now, we are working on the sound track album for the Journey to Self movie. There are lots of artistes on it, including myself.
Which are you more of, a musician or an actor?
Playing the role of an actor is different from playing the role of a musician. As a musician, when I am on stage I have fun and I’m myself. When I’m acting, I play a character, which is not me. I love doing both. I am also a presenter on radio and TV. I love doing those as well.
Are there still some hidden talents you are yet to exhibit?
Like they say, keep your fingers crossed. There are many things about Ashionye you will get to know later.
What is the movie Journey to Self all about?
The movie is all about friendship, sacrifice, empowerment and self-respect. It is a film about four friends who lost a friend. One of the friends left behind a letter, which made the others have a re-think about their lives, this led them to a journey of self-discovery.
Was there a part of you in the movie?
Not really. What inspired me into writing such story are the experiences of women that I have read about; those I have met through various NGOs. I remember I was in a stage play and such issues were part of the play.
There are also issues about women being battered and one even beaten to death by her husband. I was so upset about these situations and the only way I could turn things around or make an impact was to write a movie about it. There was no personal experience involved but I could feel the pain of many women and I could create something out of that.
Was it emotional for you writing the script?
I actually cried a lot while writing. It took me three months to write and it was a big struggle for me. You know I have a young son who constantly needs my attention. I would be up till three at night sometimes. Most times when I write, I burst into tears because I know that there are a lot of women who are facing the things I am writing about.
Do you think the film will make the needed impact?
I believe that a lot of people who watch Journey to Self will relate to it whether they are in the situation or they know somebody who is. The movie is captivating and emotion- filled. So, definitely, a lot of people will feel it and get the message.
This is the first time you are writing a screenplay, directing and acting all at once and you also have a little baby; how did you sail through all that?
It was fantastic. The timing was right. I worked with a partner, who was the executive producer. Tope Osiugun, who was the director, was very brilliant. She did everything with clockwork precision. So, we had very few issues. She is also a female. So, she quickly understood what we were trying to achieve; she understood the message.
Did you encounter any challenges while shooting the movie?
To be serious, there was none I could point to. Everyone was mature and they knew what to do even down to the kids who acted in the movie. Once they said ‘action,’ everyone was in character. Even the crew was on point. I would say the maturity of the cast and crew and the grace of God made the shoot a success.
Before Journey to Self, you had been kind of silent…
I was pregnant and then I had a baby boy. I took two years off the entertainment scene to raise my son and be with my family. Now I am back and Journey to self is the re-launching pad.
Are you working on other projects?
For now, I will continue to promote Journey to Self. Then there are other projects on the pipeline. There is a TV production we will be working on. For now, it is still on the scripting stage. We are planning to do quality movies that can compete internationally, so we are not rushing anything.
Are there other movies you are working on?
There are some. I am speaking with a top producer at the moment; we will be shooting very soon.
Tell us about motherhood?
I am a proud mother and my son is my sunshine. He has changed a lot about me. He has made me a lot mature and has made me very patient. Many people think that it is my husband that locked me at home. It is common in this part of the world, when a woman has a baby and decides to sit at home to take care of the baby they think the husband has made her a housewife.
My husband did not make me a housewife. I personally decided to stay at home. I still want to have more babies. Though I am back to work now, there are still a lot for me to do. My family is more important.
Do you support any advocacy initiative?
With the little I have done, I have been able to impact people. You remember the ‘Girl Power initiative’, and now the Journey to Self. All these I know are touching people’s lives and that on its own is rewarding. I am also helping a lot of people through various NGOs.
Why do you think bands and groups do not last?
I guess most of it has to do with being young. Many of these groups consist of very young members. For example, the pressure of being famous is more on a young artiste than an adult. But there is always a bright side from such break-ups. Many of the big names you find today in the music industry, they had once been in one group or the other. Also, there is no structure in the music industry today.
Will you say that you are lucky to have a husband who is in the entertainment industry?
I will say I am lucky to have the husband I have. But if you are saying that I am lucky to have a husband who does everything for me, I will say no. I have heard that a lot. They will say if not for her husband, she will not be where she is. I am an intelligent young woman. My husband does not write my songs for me or my scripts. So, it is neither because my husband is in the industry or being a white man that Ashionye became a success. It is hard work.
But you will agree that it is a plus to your career to have such a husband?