Veteran actress, Joke Silva and wife to actor, Olu Jacobs, speaks to NAOMI CHIMA about the movie industry, her husband, and other issues
With streaming platforms and global collaborations on the rise, some say Nollywood is losing its unique touch?
People sometimes feel that if something doesn’t have historical and cultural symbols, it is not culturally relevant. We forget that culture is dynamic, and we now live in a global village, because of the Internet. There is no way that we won’t be influenced globally. I believe we should deal with these issues based on context. I don’t think we are losing our cultural relevance and essence because of streaming platforms. Instead, those platforms want us to be as culturally relevant as possible, because that’s what technology is all about— bringing together storytellers from around the globe.
Do you believe the industry is doing enough to provide roles for veteran actors, and if not, what changes do you advocate for?
That is something I have been contemplating for a while, as I fall into that category myself. It seems that many platforms and content creators tend to focus on younger people. This often results in a lack of stories about people who are middle-aged and older. I find it odd, because we have many writers who are experiencing that phase of life and should be exploring it. Storytelling involves examining various aspects of life, and writers should be able to delve into stories about people aged 50 and above, including their interactions with younger generations, that could be part of the solution.
In recent times, there have been a number of death rumours about your husband. How do you and other family members feel about that?
I think it is very callous of the people who do it. I think all they are doing is click baiting to increase traffic to their websites. The damage is to us who are with him, because we see him and know he is fine. Some people, who are barely related to us, also face pressure when these things happen, because people call them all the time to commiserate with them when they cannot get through to us. And it is unfair. We get pressure too, but I have learnt over the years to protect my sanity. When things like that starts, I just turn off my phone, because of the incessant calls. We are lucky though because, whenever it happens, some few people who have a good understanding of social media reach out to us, and when they confirm the truth, they quickly put it out there.
Balancing a high-profile career while caring for your husband must be tough. How do you keep yourself emotionally and physically together?
I rely on a lot of support. It is something that cannot be managed alone. Also, the nature of a high-profile career means being in the public eye, and over the years, I have learnt to manage this with experience. I try to always be polite, as people can sometimes forget that you’re human and not always available. When it comes to family issues, being emotionally available is crucial. Thankfully, challenges don’t usually come all at once. I also believe in taking breaks, spending time with friends, and doing things you enjoy. I’ve learnt to appreciate the journey itself, as one of my mentees wisely said. There is no final destination until the end of life, so it’s important to enjoy the process and handle challenges as they come.
Do you feel pressured to maintain a certain public image?
Maintaining a certain public image can indeed be challenging, especially due to personal dynamics. People often prefer to keep their private lives separate from their public personas, and I am no exception. I try to manage this by not letting personal issues spill into the public space, which helps me maintain a balance between my work and personal life. So, I don’t feel pressured at all to maintain a specific public image.
The economy has been fluctuating and many feel that the President Bola Tinubu, who you supported during the elections, is not doing enough. What are your thoughts on the current economic situation?
The economy is indeed in a difficult state, which is part of a global trend, with hyperinflation affecting many countries. My perspective is that while I’m not an economist, I hope for positive changes. I am not a big supporter of all the economic solutions proposed, but I remain hopeful that with time, improvements can be made.
Also from experience, especially during General Ibrahim Babangida (retd.)’s tenure as head of state, the IMF loans created significant economic problems. They didn’t work out well for Africa and often seemed to leave us in a worse state. Our people are incredibly intelligent and capable of negotiating effectively, yet we end up with unfavourable terms. Unlike countries with loans in their currency, our loans are in dollars, which exacerbates the issue. I believe we’re creative enough to find solutions if something is not working and should consider alternative approaches if necessary.
The current economic situation is concerning, but it’s not solely due to any one individual’s actions. The recent changes in currency led to confusing and frustrating situations where people bought money, which doesn’t make sense. If there is a need for temporary pain to eventually see improvement, then it should be shared equally among all. It often feels like the burden falls disproportionately on those outside the political sphere. There needs to be more transparency and effective policy changes from the political class.
Do you believe the current administration is responsible for the worsening situation?
I have never been one to blame a government outright. My only strong criticism was towards the Abacha government. Even with past leaders like Babangida, I have tried to focus on supporting leaders and praying for them. No leader is perfect. They all make mistakes as well as achieve success. My concern arises when positive initiatives started by previous administrations are not continued or are disregarded due to personal biases. If something beneficial was started by former President Buhari, I hope the current president would continue it and make necessary adjustments, focusing on the people’s needs rather than on personal or ego-driven decisions.
You’ve been involved in various philanthropic activities. Which causes are the most important to you?
Women’s reproductive rights and the treatment of women in the workplace, especially in the entertainment industry, are very important to me. That’s why I founded the Forum of Women in Film and TV and other Screen Media. We need to examine and improve the terms of engagement in our industry. My passion for these issues is influenced by my mother, who was deeply concerned about women and children issues. I carry on this legacy by focusing on how women’s stories are portrayed, advocating for a more nuanced and human representation rather than the stereotypical roles often assigned to women.
You rarely play romantic or sexual roles in movies. Is that intentional?
When I started my career, romantic and sexual scenes were not as widely accepted, but times have changed. I believe that when it comes to sexuality and sensuality, less is sometimes more effective. The imagination of the audience can be very powerful. If a scene’s exposure doesn’t advance the story, I wouldn’t be interested in participating, regardless of the offer. Often, these scenes are used just for shock value, and I find it disrespectful when there is an imbalance in how characters are presented. Both male and female characters should be portrayed consistently, whether they are clothed or not. If the sensuality or sexuality in a scene doesn’t contribute to the narrative, I see no reason to include it. We should be able to tell compelling stories using language and visuals that don’t rely on explicit content. Sometimes, there’s a tendency to resort to explicit content rather than being creative with clever use of language, angles, and lighting. It’s important to push the boundaries of storytelling without compromising our values.