Moved by sheer passion, the fast rising actor/movie maker known as Chris Nweke is determined to push boundaries in order to carve a niche for himself. In this chat with TS Weekend, the CEO of Chris World Productions, who has starred on platforms like Shuga and who has produced two movies namely, Dark Snow and One Loud Silence opens up on the journey so far.
How did you come into acting and what movies have you acted in to date?
I attended an audition for a movie in Lekki, where one of the organisers asked if I was interested in playing the role of a police officer, which would require that I shave off my beard. I objected at first but was persuaded by people around. I did it and got the role. But prior to that, I had done some school plays. After acting in Lasgidi Cops, a TV series where I acted alongside Wole Ojo, Kenneth, Dayo Davies, I later acted in other movies and TV series such as Shuga, Hell or High Waters, Ashes, Bad Teacher, Remember Me, Motives, My Girl, Dark Snow and One Loud Silence.
What inspired you to go into movie production so early in your career?
The passion to live beyond limitations and boundaries. I am always restricted to a particular kind of setting and I couldn’t explore. I wanted to be more. I am a script writer as well. I realised my purpose was not just to be an actor but to ensure I create positive impacts in terms of story telling and delivery. I may not freely do that working in someone else’s production as there may be a clash of interests. I am more than just an actor. Acting was a pathway to achieving my purpose which I always say is to make the world a better place. In my production, it is about educating you in an entertaining way.
While growing up, which celebrities did you look up to and who are your influences?
I particularly had this attraction for Genevieve Nnaji. Love? Obsession? I couldn’t tell what it was precisely but she was one actor I admired a lot. Richard Mofe Damijo and Ramsey Noah were great actors too. How can I not mention Johnny Depp, Jamie Foxx and Angelina Jolie? Great actors too. My mom gives life a special touch even without having much. She has got a huge influence on me. And then, my family and every young person doing great works in fulfilment of a good purpose also inspire me.
We understand you want to create awareness about breast cancer in men. Can you shed light?
That is part of the plans I have for my next project. This arose as a result of a personal experience I had. I wouldn’t say I was a victim, but my ignorance made me think I was. A lot of times, men refer to breast cancer as a ‘woman’ disease while prostrate cancer is for men. They are wrong. Men too do have breast cancer. That we have records of rare cases in men, does not mean it does not exist. So, it is not just for the men alone but also for every woman that has a husband, every mother that has a son, every sister that has a brother, every single lady that has a partner. There is a need for us all to be aware and realise that early detection is one of the best ways of prevention.