Nollywood actress and filmmaker Funke Akindele has revealed that shooting part of her blockbuster film 'Everybody Loves Jenifa' at Ghana's Safari Valley Resort made it the costliest production of her career. The expense was largely due to flying her entire Nigerian cast and crew to Ghana for filming. In an interview with CNN Africa journalist Larry Madowo, Akindele shared insights into her filmmaking career and personal challenges.
Akindele explained that the cost was tied directly to the logistics of shuttling her team between Ghana and Nigeria for the shoot. She builds her sets from scratch instead of shooting in existing locations or people's homes, which also contributed to the high costs. The film was shot in both Ghana and Nigeria, and Akindele noted that Safari Valley Resort is a particularly expensive place to film.
Despite the heavy outlay, 'Everybody Loves Jenifa' performed well commercially, grossing approximately N1.88 billion at the Nigerian box office after its release on 13 December 2024. The film was directed by Akindele and Tunde Olaoye, and stars Nancy Isime, Stan Nze, Falz, Lateef Adedimeji, Layi Wasabi, Jackie Appiah, Omowunmi Dada, and Patience Ozokwor.
Akindele also reflected on how she created the character Jenifa, a village girl determined to make it in the city despite her limited education and unconventional English. The character first appeared in the 2008 Yoruba comedy-drama 'Jenifa', which won Akindele the Best Actress in a Leading Role award at the 2009 Africa Movie Academy Awards.
The actress discussed her approach to storytelling, seeing it as a tool to show people what is happening in society, address ills, and reach out to young people. Akindele expressed her passion for helping young people believe in themselves through her work. She has continued to develop the Jenifa character in various films and television series, including 'The Return of Jenifa' and 'Jenifa's Diary'.
Akindele also spoke about coping with public attention around her personal life, including her marriages and subsequent splits. She shared that she prioritises her mental health and has learned to take better care of herself over the years. Akindele emphasised the importance of self-care and not letting work dominate her life.
The film 'Everybody Loves Jenifa' follows Jenifa as she faces competition from a new neighbour while continuing her charitable work, before she and her friends stumble into a dangerous drug operation during a visit to Ghana. The movie's success is a testament to Akindele's hard work and dedication to her craft, despite the challenges and high costs involved in its production.
Key points
- The film 'Everybody Loves Jenifa' grossed approximately N1.88 billion at the Nigerian box office.
- Akindele's approach to filmmaking involves building sets from scratch.
- The character Jenifa was first introduced in the 2008 Yoruba comedy-drama 'Jenifa'.
