I Won’t Do A Movie My Parents Can’t Watch – Sierra Leonean/Nollywood Star Marian Kekurah

Marian Kekurah is a Sierra Leonean actress who has taken Nollywood by storm. In this interview with OSEYIZA OOGBODO she talks about her plans and wishes. Excerpts:

What are your plans for this year?

osMy plan is to keep getting better. This is going to be my year by God’s grace and my prayers are going to be answered this year. I’ve been through thick and thin shuttling between Lagos and London in my bid to make the best out of my career in acting. My efforts are going to work out hopefully and I am leaving no stone unturned to ensure that I get things going career-wise.

What’s your unique selling point?

That’s a tough one. I think I will like the public to decide that. I just think that I bring in the Sierra Leonean touch to what I do and that makes me different to an extent. I know I have something that is different from what we have now on the movie scene and if you watch the movies that I have featured in, you’ll have a better understanding of what I am trying to say.

How many movies have you done?

I’ve done quite a lot. Mistresses, Human Hair Hustlers 1&2, Human Hair Runs, House Of Demons and many others that will soon be out. There are many more I will do and I’m hoping for the best and to be more visible on the scene.

Why did you become an actress?

I was mainly inspired into acting by watching Nigerian and African movies generally. I really got inspired by watching the likes of Genevieve Nnaji and Halima Abubakar. They are part of the reasons I ventured into Nollywood.

How did you know you could act?

I discovered I could act a long time ago when I was much younger. I am a nurse by profession and while I was studying to become a nurse I was acting by the side. It got to a stage when I had to stop being a nurse and fully concentrate on acting.

How much will it cost to get you on set?

Not too much at the moment. I am not receiving that much yet. That’s because I am relatively new on the scene but I am okay with that because I know I will get there pretty soon based on the quality of jobs I have done thus far. I am not in the league of Genevieve or Omotola. I am not at that level yet but I know that I’ll get there soon.

What sort of role brings out the best in you?

I always try to give my best whenever I am on set and I really don’t need anything to bring out the best in me. I am self-inspired and every movie set that I am part of is an opportunity to showcase my talents and a platform to project my image. But each day, I say a short prayer before I go on set. I guess that’s where I get my inspiration from.

Can you act unclad?

I have never done it and I don’t think I will.

What about acting sexy?

That depends too because there was a script I was given and I was asked to act with just a bra and pants and I initially refused the role. But the producer had a compromise with me and I was allowed to wear shorts and a short top.

I would not want to do a movie that my parents cannot watch because I will feel embarrassed.

How ambitious are you?

I am going to try to do my best to ensure that I am the next best thespian on the scene. That’s what spurs me on and doesn’t allow negative situations weigh me down. I also want to be a role model and I have to achieve my ambitions before I can really be one.

What do you do when you are not on set?

I love reading and watching Hollywood and Nollywood movies. I watch movies so I can get inspired. I love swimming once in a while and hanging out with friends too. I don’t like clubbing. I can’t stand it.

What are your weaknesses and strengths as an actress?

I learn everyday as time goes on. I am not really going to specify what my strengths and weaknesses are at this moment because I am still learning. I am still also trying to discover others things in me. No one is perfect and as humans we learn and get better in what we do every day.

How popular are you in Sierra Leone, your home country?

I am quite popular of course. I have been acting since I was 19 so I have an appreciable followership back home in Sierra Leone. I am known back home and my fans are quite upset that I am always on set here in Nigeria. I’ll go back home very soon. I have a movie to shoot there sometime this year. I’ll be doing more Sierra Leonean movies this year and I am really looking forward to being part of them soonest.