‘Not all producers have a problem with Unigwe’
Nollywood is in turmoil as veteran actor and filmmaker Kanayo O. Kanayo calls for a boycott of actress Angel Unigwe following an on-set incident involving her mother.
The incident has sparked a debate over professionalism and contractual obligations in the industry, with insiders informing Per Second News that there may be more to the unfolding drama.
The incident, it was also learnt, has pitched movie producers against one another, as those who are said not to be loyal to Kanayo may not ditch Unigwe due to their relationship with the mother.
The incident has sent shockwaves through Nollywood, highlighting tensions between industry veterans and rising stars over issues of professionalism and contractual adherence.
On Friday, reports surfaced that some producers deemed Kanayo’s threat unprofessional and cautioned against involving anyone in his personal dispute with Unigwe.
Other movie producers who might have a working relationship with the woman or may have paid for her services should not receive the same punishment, according to some of the producers who didn’t want their names mentioned.
Kanayo had taken to social media to express his dismay over the actions of Unigwe’s mother during his film production.
He accused Unigwe of violating their contract by leaving the set prematurely. According to Kanayo, they had an agreement that Unigwe would remain on set until midnight, but her mother removed her at 9 p.m.
“A contract is reached by every user either orally or in writing and is respected, but I found out that immediately this woman takes money from you, everything changes.
“I have gotten reports from people before it happened to me, and it happened last night that she took her daughter at 9 PM, when a particular day we agreed has not expired; 12 midnight is expiry into another day, she came at 9 pm, she took her daughter,” Kanayo stated.
Kanayo emphasized that his concern is not personal but rooted in a desire to protect the industry from disruptive behavior. He described a previously positive working relationship with Angel Unigwe but highlighted the recurring issues caused by her mother.
“You guys know what it is for an artist to walk out on this set; there was no issue. I want to guarantee all of you that we had a very good working relationship with Angel. Her mother has been threatening many producers,” he added.
In a call to action, Kanayo urged fellow producers to avoid hiring Unigwe, vowing to disrupt any production that employs her.
“This is a call to every producer. Please, I beg you, in the name of professionalism and all that unites us, that from this moment, 21st day of June 2024, any set that employs the services of Angel Unigwe, I will come to that set and make sure filming does not hold,” he warned.
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