Nigerian/American Actress Ebbe Bassey Applauds Her AMAA Nomination!

  EBBE TELLS US ABOUT HER AMAA NOMINATION ...and more!

...Beautiful and talented Actress Ebbe Bassey applauds her Africa Movie awards nominations(AMAA) and takes us down her career lane. She also tells us that actor sam dede is the real deal when it comes to acting.
Enjoy!


.Give us a little insight into your background
I was born in New York, had a wonderful childhood growing up in the city of Calabar, Cross River State. I went back to New York permanently in 1991.


When did you start acting?
I fell into acting in 1997/98 when I walked off the street into an audition and got a role in a play. After a friend saw me, he advised me to consider taking classes which I did for 2 very intense years from 1998-2000. Those where some of the most interesting, shaping and emotionally exhausting years of my life.

Could you give us a run down of your career as an actress?

I have worked two iconic TV shows in the States, NYPD Blues and Law & Order: SVU. I have worked on many short films that have appeared on the national cable networks, Showtime and HBO. Last year, I worked with Issach de Bankole, Angelique Kidjo and Bukky Ajayi on the soon to be released, Ma George which was directed by Andrew Dosunmu. Worked with Kimberly Elise in Ties that Bind. I just completed Doctor Bello with Isaiah Washington, Vivica Fox and Jimmy Jean-Louis.


You were recently nominated for your role in an african movie 'ties that bind' in AMAA 2012, is this your first african movie and why?
Yes, I was nominated in the category of Best Supporting Actress and I thank Ms. Peace Anyiam-Osigwe, the AMAA awards board members and voting body for considering my work and honoring it with a nomination. I would say that this is my first film shot in a country in Africa and the reason is because the director, Ms. Leila Djansi is the first person to have offered me the chance to work in film telling an African story in Africa, Ghana to be specific. This was my first offer and I jumped at the opportunity.

Do you agree with me when I say that we still have a very long way to go despite the ovation and international recognition nollywood movies are getting?
Certainly, I do agree with you. The industry is at the crawling stage still compared to the industry in Hongkong, Mumbai (Bombay) or Hollywood. I think change is bound happen in time especially now that all eyes are on Nollywood.

what was it like working with nollywoods Alist actress Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde in leila djansi's 'ties that bind?

It was a very good experience exchanging creative energy with Omotola. She is a truly talented and capable actress and outside of work, she is feisty, fun and a great hang.


which nollywood actor would you be interested in making another movie with?
I would love to work with Sam Dede. I think he is so very interesting to watch because you can just see his process plain as day, he is a transparent actor, clear in behavior, action, intent and speech.

Thank you for your time 

Thank you too Stella.
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