While enjoying a simple meal of noodles and eggs, Ivie Okujaye’s phone suddenly rang. On the other end was James Omokwe, offering her the lead role in his upcoming Benin-themed film, Osamede.
“That call was the most joyful moment of my career,” she recalls. “It caught me completely off guard. I hadn’t heard any buzz about the project, and even though it was the kind of role I had always dreamed of, I never expected to get that call. That made it all the more special.”
Having established herself over a decade ago, with a flourishing career spanning Nollywood and international projects, Okujaye feels that Osamede was meant to be.
Yet, before that life-changing phone call, she sensed her presence in the industry fading. Doubts crept in about whether the acting career she had fought hard to pursue-especially against her family’s medical background-was slipping through her fingers.
Early in her ascent, Okujaye made the unconventional choice to marry and start a family, despite warnings from a senior producer who cautioned that motherhood might derail her progress. She followed her heart regardless.
She embraced marriage, welcomed three daughters, and centered her life around them. What she hadn’t foreseen was how swiftly the entertainment world would move on without her.
The following years were challenging. Opportunities dwindled, her physical appearance evolved, and the momentum she had painstakingly built began to wane. There were times she contemplated stepping away from Nollywood entirely to devote herself fully to raising her daughters.
However, for Okujaye, sacrifice doesn’t equate to surrender. “I want my children to grow up saying, ‘I saw my mother work hard. I witnessed her struggles. I saw her chase her dreams without ever neglecting us,'” she shares.
“I want them to know I managed to balance my ambitions with the family God blessed me with. That’s why I’ve kept pushing forward.”
This delicate balance between motherhood and career aspirations, between giving up and persevering, is what makes Osamede resonate so deeply with her. Adapted for the screen by Omokwe from a play produced by Lilian Olubi, the story centers on a woman who sacrifices everything to ensure her child fulfills their destiny.
“This kind of sacrifice is something many African women relate to,” Okujaye explains. “Countless women have set aside their own potential to nurture their children. That’s a unique kind of strength.”
The timing of the role was impeccable, serving as an unexpected homecoming. Filming took place in Edo State, the place she left as a child, stirring up nostalgic memories. “The scents, the cuisine, the streets-it felt like I’d been away too long. It inspired me to teach my daughters our native language so they could connect with what I was experiencing.”
READ MORE ABOUT HOW THE CAST IMMERSED THEMSELVES IN BENIN DURING 14 DAYS OF FILMING.
Even the physical challenges-stunts and action sequences-seemed perfectly suited to her. Years of experience in dance, sports, and martial arts roles had unknowingly prepared her for this moment. “It felt like my entire career was leading up to this. Had this opportunity come five years later, I’m not sure I would have been ready.”
Yet, what captivates her most about Osamede isn’t her physical prowess. “Her true power lies in her voice. She’s courageous enough to speak out first, to choose dialogue over destruction. That’s the kind of heroine I’ve always wanted to portray.”
The film’s mystical elements also come alive visually, offering a glimpse into Benin’s rich history through the trailer.
On set, surrounded by a cast that challenged her limits and engaged in conversations that felt almost spiritual, Okujaye came to understand what Osamede truly represented: a testament that the sacrifices made for family don’t close doors but rather redirect one’s journey.
SEE ALSO: WILLIAM BENSON ON HIS JOURNEY FROM BEING OVERLOOKED TO SHINING IN OSAMEDE.
“This film was exactly what I needed,” she reflects. “As a mother, as an actress, and as someone determined to stay connected to her roots.”
Osamede has attracted backing from investors like MBO Capital and is set to premiere in cinemas on October 17. Secure your early tickets here.
0 Comments