Appearing in Living Funeral does not mean I’m back —Liz Benson

The former toast of movie buffs denies rumoured comeback bid even with a nomination for the AMVCAs.

DESPITE her role in ‘Living Funeral’ earning her a Best Supporting Actress in a Drama nomination for the  2014 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA), veteran actress, Liz Benson-Ameye, has said that she does not view playing in  the movie as a comeback.

It will be recalled that the actress who was very popular at the inception of Nollywood, hasn’t appeared in movies for years, with some tale bearers saying she had quit acting.

The movie produced last year by Orode Ryan-Okpu and directed by Udoka Oyeka, is nominated for eight out of the 27 available categories for the 2014 AMVCA happening on March 8 in Lagos.

It is vying for the Best Movie 2013; Best Movie-Drama; Best Movie Director, Best Actress in a Drama, Best Supporting Actress in a Drama, and Best Writer-Drama prizes. The movie is also in contention for the Best Cinematographer and Best Lighting Designer prizes.

Made to create awareness about breast cancer and to sensitise the public to embrace early detection as the only solution to overcoming the disease, ‘Living Funeral’ tells the inspirational story of Yvette, a young woman coming to terms with the reality of her battle with breast cancer.

It portrays the unbelievable journey of hope, valour and despair told through the eyes of the lead character’s sister (played by same actress – Stephanie Wilson) and her hard-hearted mother (Ameye) who struggled to come to terms with her daughter’s illness. To help her family deal with their anguish, Yvette holds a mock funeral while still alive.

Speaking about her role in the film during an interaction with reporters last week in Lagos, Ameye, who expressed delight for the nomination, reiterated that it’s not her comeback.

She said: “I didn’t see my featuring in this film as a comeback; I started my practice on the stage and I have always looked for a story that has a depth; that touches the lives of people; something that will create an enlargement of understanding – you call it awareness – this was the same thing I saw when I was invited to work on this project.

“Though the story was quite complex, it gives me joy because of the content of the message. We take our health for granted; for one reason or the other, we are not able to talk about it; we cannot share it and so there is no solution.

“I needed something that will drive home a point so that people would have listening ears when people are going through health challenges like cancer and not the over reported HIV/AIDS. People are dying of cancer without making it known.”

She reiterated that the need to create awareness about breast cancer in women and cervical cancer in men made her take the role of Yvette’s mother. “This one touched humanity; hence I said it is one thing I want to be part of.  That is the reason I am part of the cast.  ‘Living Funeral’ will provoke you to get involved in the campaign in such a way that it would make you to be an advocate of encouraging people, family members and  friends to go for early check up to avoid falling victim. This film is saying early detection; get tested and lend a helping hand to the victims out there.”

Also speaking at the occasion, the executive producer and founder of Pink Pearl Foundation, Orode Ryan-Okpu, said that advocacy has been a vital part of her organisation’s activities since inception and she opted to make the movie to get the deadliness of breast cancer across to Nigerians better.

 “We find it a great idea to do something in the entertainment world. That is why we created a film about breast cancer and to identify with victims. Our intention is to make the film available everywhere; on both local and international television stations. Besides, we shall have the Pidgin English version of the film for those in rural areas. In the next three years, I intend to take this film as a campaign tool to everybody. The whole idea is early detection and saving oneself from the pains of being a victim.”