She was there at the very beginning of Nollywood. From Living in Bondage where she played the role of Tina, a call girl, to several other films including Nneka The Pretty Serpent, Unforgiving, Blind Trust, Ukwa and a host of others, delectable actress, Rita Nzelu is no doubt a pioneer.
But sometime in 2003, the actress suddenly disappeared from the screen with several tales told about the reasons for her exit. The Entertainer trailed vivacious Rita to the United Kingdom where she relocated after leaving the shores of Nigeria. The actress, who is now preparing for the premiere of her new film entitled, International Games, bared her mind on sundry issues including her sojourn in London, her family, why she quit Nollywood and why she's now staging a comeback. Enjoy:
Can you recall the last movies you made before leaving Nigeria?
I did a series of movies then in 2003 before I left Nigeria. The last one I did was called Supreme Ladies while on location but I may not know what title it came out with. But there were several of them.
Several stories have been told about why you left Nigeria, abandoning a very blossoming career. Why did you leave?
I left Nollywood and traveled out of Nigeria because of marriage. I left so as to join my husband. I believe a woman should join her husband and not the other way round. In the past seven or eight years, we had two children in between. I can tell you, I now have three boys to take care of. My husband and two sons.
You seemed to have cut off entirely from Nollywood during those years?
Not exactly. I decided to concentrate on my family but of course I was abreast with happenings in the industry. I didn't attend all the functions in town, and so was not seen by all at all times but I was in touch. It was deliberate because during this period, I got a full grip and bonding with my family. So, I can begin a gradual return now.
You left at the highpoint of Nollywood, do you miss anything especially when you hear stories that artistes are now well remunerated and getting all the endorsements from corporate organisations?
I do not feel I missed anything. There is time for everything as far as I know. I left Nigeria and Nollywood when God wanted me to leave. I am very happy that what came in terms of marriage at that time and which took me away came when it came. I do not miss Nollywood in the manner that you imagine or because actors are well rewarded and getting endorsements these days. Those times were gone. The Bible says there is time for everything. I do not feel I miss anything and neither do I have any regret leaving. You win some and lose some in life. Well, I got a strongly bonded family.
You mean you don't miss anything about Nollywood?
Far from the endorsement and actors' remuneration, I think I miss the brand itself and feel great to have been one of those who started the so-called revolution in Nollywood. It is like a baby for me so I have a very strong bond with it. I am very happy for the artistes who have gone ahead to win endorsements because they got it because of the Nollywood brand of which I am happy to be a foundation member,If I am allowed to use that word. I feel positive. Maybe if I were in Nigeria, I may have gotten part of the endorsement, may be not. However, every mum is happy with the progress being made by her children. In 2012, about 20 years after, I am happy for Nollywood and with those who sustained the brand ever since. I recall those ad hoc lessons we took in Lagos from people like Jude Orhorha, core professional, who drilled us to practice all the plays in this world. No, no, no, it is nostalgic to realize that Nollywood is a big brand that is alive and very much kicking.
It looks like you are an actress for life...?
I see myself as an actress for life. I have always known that I was born for the stage and screens. It was from my days at Amuwo Odofin Secondary School, Lagos where I was part of the acting system and headed the drama group. It was after secondary school that we started this ad hoc training at the National Theatre. I was also part of the group organized and led by Sola Sobowale and the one at Ikeja where I told you Jude Orhorha played great roles.
When you talk, one gets a feeling of nostalgia about the very first times...What do you recall of Living in Bondage, Nollywood's acclaimed first film? How did you get the role in the first place?
I played the role of Tina, a call girl, in Living in Bondage. Chief Kenneth Nnebue of NEK had watched me rehearsing at the National Theater and invited me to come for audition in his office, which I did and won the role. I later went on to do Nneka The Pretty Serpent, Blind Trust, Unforgiving, Ukwa and so on. I cannot recall all the movies I did.
Every one is talking about your new movie; International Games, what is it like to return to the turf that you seems to know too well after many years of absence?
It feels good. It feels very refreshing to be back... like a breath of fresh air. It is like renewing a marriage vow. I tried to keep a lot of my private family matters very private, so I kept everything low about my family. I have always not wished that my very private came into the public.
Let's talk more about your new movie, can we?
It is a movie very dear to my heart. I had been away from the screens for more than seven years so we needed to play according to standards and professionalism required of us. It is a film directed by Tchidi Chikere who also put the story together in a wonderful screen play. I play the lead role while Jackie Appiah also plays big in the film, which tries to mirror the condition of life of Africans living in Europe as they relate with fellow Africans and their European friends as a whole. It tells tales of the shock in cultures between the British and the African. It throws light on what happens when two cultures meet in drama. It is loaded in intrigues brought about by the emotions of love. We also have several other very talented actors and actresses in the movie. All of us are happy with the production.
It must have cost a fortune. How about funding for the movie?
The film was very cash sapping; very capital grossing. It was financed with resources that came from personal sources. My only backbone, my husband who is my first son in whom I am well pleased gave me total support. He also had his friends, brothers Chinedu and Felix Ebenuwa also investing. When I see the rushes and the editing process, I thank the Almighty for a good production.
With the cries that movie marketing channels in Nigeria are not structured, how do you plan to market this new production?
For now, we are putting finishing touches to the editing. We hope to get it ready for premieres across the U.K and other parts of the world including Nigeria. Until we have done this, we may not talk about home video sales. But I rather would say that when we get to the bridge, we'll cross it.
Why did it take you several years before venturing again to the screens?
Before my marriage, I had set time for myself that after about eight years of break, I would return to the system. Yes, it was between me and my God, I had said so because my family matters so much to me. We seem to have bonded well; my husband is my first baby while the two other sons follow.
As a pioneer, do you think that in the past 20 years, Nollywood has progressed or retrogressed?
I am a positive thinker and I dare say Nollywood has moved forward. In any developing brands, there are issues, positive and negative. We should not continue to talk on the negatives when outsiders are even full of admiration for the giant strides Nollywood has made. We have not done badly at all. However, it could be better.
If you say that it was marriage that whisked you off the screens, you could as well throw more light on the man who swept you off your feet and what made you fall for him?
He is such a caring man who loves to see me progress from point A to B. He accepted me for who I am. He stood his ground gidigba even after a lot of discouragements. I could see he was genuine. He did not beat about the bush. He just told me point blank 'let's get married'. We only courted for two months and we got married.
So interesting, what about a review of your marriage timetable?
We met in December 2003 and we did the traditional marriage in March 2004. He had proposed marriage two weeks after I met him.
So fast?
There was this particular kind of bonding that held us together. It was nice to be with someone who knows you well. It was not riches or being cute. There was a real connection somewhere. In marriage and family matters, there is more to it than riches and being handsome. If it were riches or being handsome, they may have faded after eight years. Yes, my husband is very much handsome but loves me dearly. He was so serious and genuine so I got convinced that he meant well. I have heard stories of those who get married and get abandoned by their husbands in Nigeria to rot away because they also have other romantic entanglements. I only worried about that but got a conviction that it wouldn't be so for me.
For you, its boys, boys all the way, don't you feel alone without a girl?
No, I don't feel alone at all. Why should I feel alone when God gives them, and we must glorify His name whether its boys or girls. I do not mind which He gives so long as they are children.
What's the secret of your being gorgeous?
My main secret is using no chemicals and their likes, leaving God to do the rest. I am only natural. When people ask me what I do to look the way I look, I laugh because I am just a natural person and would readily appear natural. I will regularly dress in blazers and inner tops. I also could be found in jeans to feel free to work. But I dress to suit the occasions.
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