Getting Genevieve and Omotola together for IJE

From her undergraduate days as a Theatre Arts student at the University of Abuja, Filmmaker Chineze Anyaene has always been fascinated by the intricacies of the motion picture craft. Now, armed with a master's degree in Directing from the New York Film Academy (NYFA), the 26-year-old producer makes her feature film debut with IJE (The Journey), which stars Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde and Genevieve Nnaji.

The movie, shot in America and Nigeria, follows the lives of two Nigerian sisters, Chioma and Anya. The latter relocates to the United States in search of the American dream, but ends up in jail on charges of murder. This compels Chioma to travel to the US to help secure her sister's freedom, with the help of a young, unproven attorney.

With IJE, produced by Anyaene's production outfit, Xandria Productions', the ambitious and tenacious director - the first student in the history of the NYFA to shoot a feature film while still in school - is determined to leave a lasting impression in Nigerian cinema and home video. In a discussion with NEXT, Anyaene shared her filmmaking experiences especially in relation to IJE.

What's the inspiration behind IJE-The Journey?

I wanted to tell a story about love and immigrants in the US. Most of the time immigrants in the states are accused of crime and so I wanted to tell a story about love - not the usual boy/girl love but a relationship between two sisters.

Like ‘The Tenant', quite a number of Nigerian directors abroad seem to explore migration themes in their movies, is it a re-occurring problem faced by Nigerians outside of the country?

Yes it is. First and foremost being black is not enough and then when you have an accent, it's worse. You are being discriminated against and seen as a second class citizen, so it is a problem and the only way to solve the problem is through filmmaking. It is not peculiar to Nigerian directors alone even American filmmakers touch on the immigration theme as well.

How did you get involved in filmmaking?

For my first degree, I studied Theatre arts at the University of Abuja, and then I moved over to the New York Academy in 2005. Then I came back for my Youth Service and went back to New York where I spent another three years for my Masters .I think it is all about the passion and thrill of the art, I love the challenges and thrill which movie making gives me.

Tell us about the storyline and the cast?

It has an international cast. I was able to pull out cast from Nigeria, America and the Latin community. In Nigeria, I had Omotola-Jalade-Ekeinde, Genevieve Nnaji and Clem Ohaneze; and from the Latin community, I had Odalys García, who is an A-list star. I wrote the script but hired a screen writer called Samuel Tilsen, when I was doing my character breakdown for the role of Anya. I had always wanted Omotola to play it out while I wasn't too sure of who would best fit the role of Chioma. I decided to use Genevieve Nnaji; she looks very innocent and vulnerable and [these] made her perfect for the role.

There's talk of a silent rivalry between Omotola Jalade Ekeinde and Genevieve Nnaji. How were you able to feature both of them in your movie?

(Laughs) Its purely business, I called them and spoke to them about the movie. I remember meeting Omotola and she was like "Are you the director? Who's going to direct me. How many movies have you shot?" I wasn't surprised because I knew it had to do with my age so I had to send her clips of my [work] before she became convinced. I met Omotola first in Lagos; she had read the script and liked it. I also went to England and met with Genevieve Nnaji. I also had Zeb Ejiro, the consulting producer, step in as well as a mediator.

What was the production process like for you?

I shot scenes in Jos (Plateau State) and the US. It was hectic! I remember having to come down to Nigeria where I hired Ekoja Michael who is the producer here and with the help of Nigeria Film Corporation (NFC), Jos who gave me their equipment to work with. The postproduction was done in six weeks in America.

Is this your first movie?

This is my first feature but I have done over 20 short films, two commercials, and one music video in the US. In Nigeria, [IJE's] budget is considered huge but in America it is low. I had to speak with the board of Stella Maris private school in Abuja, because they believe in creativity and perfection, it was not easy but finally the funds came through.

And the movie's title?

I know it is kind of generic saying that every story is a journey, but the characters and crew went through a journey and are still on a journey. It was hell and hectic that is why it took over 18 months to shoot. It is symbolic of life's journey as well. I came about the title during a brain storming session with the cast and crew. Genevive Nnaji asked me why I wanted an Igbo title for the film and I said all I wanted was something that will relate to the cast and crew and so she's like ‘okay'; and the next day she came with the name IJE which means: the journey. So Genevieve gave us the movie title.

Beyond IJE, what's next?

I am working on a slash thriller TV series which I wrote a few years ago. It is going to be a mild horror. I have about a 150 episodes and I will be shooting on celluloid in Nigeria.

With all the movies around, why should we watch IJE?

It is a character driven drama, very emotional, the performances are brilliant and production value is outstanding. IJE will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. You will see a different Genevieve and Omotola which is a far cry from the way you see them in Nollywood movies because they the gave their best in the movie. Nigerians will like it.

Chineze Anyaene's ‘IJE - The Journey' has been selected to participate at competitive level at seven film festivals in countries including Thailand, Egypt, South Africa and the United States.

The film opens in Nigerian cinemas on March 26.