December 3, 2015 By Victoria Saffa
Sierra Leonean movie producer, actress and international model, Zainab Sheriff, has returned to Freetown with a host of actors from Ghana and Nigeria – Majid Michel, Eddie Watson, Beverly Osu and Melvin Oduah – to premiere her latest movie “She Prayed”.
The movie was shot in the Ghanaian capital Accra, and features the son of ex-Ghana President John Kuffour.
Another high profile cast in the movie is Miss Ghana finalist Charlotte Durban and the award winning actress Yvonne Nelson, pioneer actresses for Ghana and Naija collaboration, Pascaline Edwards, among a bevy of top stars.
Addressing journalists at the Country Lodge, Hill Station, in Freetown, yesterday, Zainab Sheriff said the movie will be premiered on Saturday, 5 December.
She said Eddie Watson is in the country to create a relationship with Sierra Leone as his mother is a Sierra Leonean.
“Edie is here because he believes in this country and the potential this country has, and he is already a super star. We have tried a lot but it is still difficult to get support or people wanting to sponsor the industry,” she said.
He also urged respect for budding actors in the country’s struggling movie industry. “We also need to respect our actors because they go through a lot before the movie is made possible. We all enjoyed the end product but lot is being put into it before it is out. This is the more reason why we need to support and respect the people who are sacrificing, noting that entertainment industry is a big business but it comes with lots of sacrifices,” she insisted.
Eddie Watson expressed happiness to be in the country, and described the new movie as the most watched film, noting that it is dedicated to his mother.
He noted that the Ebola outbreak devastated the country, but thanked God that it is now over. He showered praise on Zainab Sheriff for her passion for the entertainment industry and determination to develop Sierra Leone’s movie industry, noting the industry has helped develop other countries.
He cited Nigeria and Ghana as examples where lots of people are gainfully employed because of the entertainment industry. “We need to develop our own industry,” he admonished, adding “this is why we are here to contribute in that direction”.
Popular Ghanaian actor Majid Michel began his talk with a provocative jibe as he referred to Ms. Sheriff as his favorite Big Brother housemate from Sierra Leone.
“We are not here because of your money but to help Zainab in her dream of helping to build the movie industry. The industry is a multimillion sector but such will only be realised if it is supported,” he said.
Michel called on people with money to support those who are striving to make it in the entertainment industry, and also enjoined those with a desire to join the industry to learn so that they would be equal to the challenges.
“I studied movie for six years and today I am in it and enjoying the fruit,” he said.