XCLUSIVE INTERVIEW, Akim Macauley - Cameroonian Born American based filmmaker,`we are not that rich to sponsor projects by ourselves`

1)      WHO IS AKIM MACAULEY?

Akim Macauley is a filmmaker based in United States of America, the first Cameroonian who started doing African movie in the USA with a group of church members under the auspices of Camwood.

2)      HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN THE FILM BUSINESS AND HOW DID IT ALL START?

Well I have been in the film industry for a long time that I can't remember, my passion for making movies started when I was a kid, I could draw well, so I will draw characters on cartoon boxes and carve them, then I will attach broom stick on them and make them to fight each other while I use boxes and touch light bulbs to project the characters on the wall. The shadow gives some interesting effects, these action was a result of my beloved father who used to take us to movie back in the days to watch Chinese and Indian movies hahahaa (he laughs) we use to pay 10frs per view. Also when I grew up I was very influential in my school (Lycee Bilingue de Application Yaoundé) and I was part of the drama group which later had the first anglophone TV comedy show which later became just for fun. Watching kabila lagmia and judith bih suh on TV I knew I will make great movies and this is where I am now.

3)      YOU WERE IN CAMEROON RECENTLY FOR A MOVIE (DECODED). HOW WAS THE EXPERIENCE?

My Cameroon experience was a great one, I came to co produce but because if some mix up I later on found myself directing as well. There were a lot of things that happened that were unexpected for example John Dumelo who was due to be in Cameroon for `DECODED` and `Who Is My Husband' did not show up, so my executive producer stood so strong and demanded for a replacement immediately , so we got Van Vicker who was more of a blessing. It was very frustrating when john did not show up, for someone like me and my personality it was a big blow, but Brenda stood firm and actually went against all odds to see that Van showed up and then we had the best movie experience you can ever imagine.

4)      WHAT OTHER DIFFICULTIES DID YOU ENCOUNTERED ON DECODED?

First we had limited days to shoot since Van had just 4 working days on set, in addition to that, Limbe and Buea were hosting rainy seasons. We had difficult time shooting because of the rain, outdoors scenes were almost impossible to shoot, when we take the camera out the rain starts falling and we will take it back in, light was always out, generator sound was not helping either so we had to mobilize all our resources and talent to deliver and by God`s grace we all made it and completed all the scenes. It wasn't a smooth ride anyways coupled with the fact that I am used to many shots, so it was taking too much time. To cut long story short , my experience shooting DECODED was a challenging one which was not limited to human unpreparedness but also natural limitation, team decoded did all they could in their powers to pull it together. Team DECODED were all passionate and refused failure to be an option. I think working in Cameroon was one of my most difficult jobs but with the support of team DECODED, success was near to touch.

5         5) WHERE DO YOU SEE THE CAMEROON FILM INDUSTRY IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS?

 The Cameroon Film Industry will be a million dollars film industry, we see it coming with great initiatives like DECODED, PINK PIOSON, BLOOD OR WINE and of course the much awaited YEFON the movie that is making gate way to Cameroon. In two years our youths will gain more employment through the industry because great production companies will spread all over our nation, marketing will be put in place and more investors will be seeking for investment. Cinema projects are in the pipe line so Cameroon will not only be known for football but movies as well.

6)      WHO IS YOUR ROLE MODEL?

My role model for acting which I don't have any more was Denzel Washington but for producers I have Tyler Perry and Spike Lee.

7)      WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE FOLLOWING PERSONS?

 EPULE JEFF: Jeff is a nice guy, it was my first time to work with him , I discovered that he is a calm guy with his own mind but very humble and lovely, he is a professional and a talent that Cameroon can be very proud of, he is a work force and can deliver perfectly
ENAH JOHNSCOTT: Scott is a likeable guy, he is creative, he will make a very good director and he is also a great writer, I will want his signature on my script any time any day before I shoot, because with him I am guaranteed to have a very good movie.

YIJIKA SOLANGE: Yijika is an example of a good actress; she is an actress who knows when to step up to the big picture, her style is unique. I was amazed and I saw another side of Cameroon talent, she brings a new feeling to what we had in mind. To me she is a whole nation of talents by herself.

BRENDA ELUNG: Brenda Shey Elung as the executive producer, she is one of the finest persons I have ever met, if all producers are like that then we will always have very good movies, she is a perfectionist, she likes quality, she is smart, determined, patient and real. She is also very talented as an actress.

TEH REAGAN:  Regan is also a very energetic and smart young guy, very nice and humble, he has an objective in mind in relations to the project, he is a fine editor too.

PROXY BUH: Proxy is a nation of script. These are just part of team DECODED. If you ask me, everyone on that set was just the best I can get to work with, I just thank God who put all these people together for me, will never regret working with them in failure or in success.

8         8) WHAT IS YOUR MARITAL STATUS?

I am a married man with a beautiful daughter

9       9) ANY FINAL WORD FOR THE CAMEROON FILM COMMUNITY?

 I wish African movies to continue to do their best and continue with good movies, good scripts and more; I also wish the Cameroon Film Industry the best and hope that we are the next Hollywood in the world. I want to also call production houses to co-produce so they can do great movies, we are not that rich to sponsor projects by ourselves. Thanks y`all and to African Entertainment, the team behind it should keep up with the good work.

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