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Syndy Emade Becomes The First Cameroonian To See Her Movie ”A Man For The Weekend” Hits Up 7 Major Airlines Worldwide.
Cameroonian actress, Syndy Emade, has created a record after her movie, ”A Man For The Weekend” was acquired by 7 airlines worldwide, which are:
Brussels Airlines
Air France
Emmirates
South African
Quatar Airways
Senegal Airlines
KLM
We had an interview with Syndy Emade in relation to her movie, motherhood and her career in general.
MGP: How long have you been into Acting and Producing Movies?
Syndy Emade: The first movie I featured in was ”Obsession” in 2011, but I wasn’t active in the industry until 2 years after when
I decided to dive into production with my very first movie ”Different Kinds Of Men” in 2013. I have been actively producing and acting for 5 years.
MGP: Your movie ”A Man For The Weekend” now shows in 7 major airlines, how do you feel about it? How did it happen?
Syndy Emade: ”A Man For The Weekend” showing on 7 major airlines just gets me more and more grateful to have come this far.
I mean It’s such a blessing, passion and grace of God and it’s just the beginning.
I am grateful and thankful to God, considering we don’t have that market,
so putting in all that work and sacrifices in our movies and now been able to watch it materialize financially is beyond words for me to describe.
And How did this happened?! I will say ”A Man For The Weekend” is that movie everyone can relate to
and it’s a day to day life happening and definitely one which you will like to seat on an airline, relax while watching it.
So basically, The airlines couldn’t resist it (laughs). So, being the first movie on 7 airlines in Africa is definitely a huge step for us.
MGP: Describe the movie for us in your own words.
Syndy Emade: Describing ”A Man For The Weekend”, I will say it’s a simple story in which a young lady ”Candy Ayuk”
who is work driven and has no time for a love life, just gets stuck in
the shadows of her mother who thinks being married is a major source of happiness and
fulfillment in life and of course on this unfortunate incident when she picks up her mum’s call,
she has to accept she has a man in her life and her mum being spontaneous enough just requires them being at home during the weekend,
the only way she can come out of this is getting ”A Man For The Weekend” so she dives into immediately
her work life were she finds a young man who is an intern at her work place to accompany her as a man for the weekend…
MGP: Is there a special message you want people to think about after watching the movie?
Syndy Emade: The special message in the movie “A Man For The Weekend” would be finding true happiness.
I just want everyone watching the movie to be truly happy before the world can truly be happy for them.
MGP: What was the biggest challenge in making the film?
Syndy Emade: My biggest challenge in filming the movie was the finance.
It was a huge budget movie and of course we all know in Cameroon
It’s hard to have companies or individuals who are willing to dive into supporting or investing in film making.
So being a producer in Cameroon you have to work extremely hard.
In addition, BluRain Entertainment had to go on the smartest work. Yes! Basically, it was my first time for me to have ever filmed in Douala.
I took the cast and crew from Southwest and from Nigeria into to a zone none of us knew a mastery of,
this made the production more expensive, very hard, longer and thus increasing the budget.
Also, we got stuck with costumes, coz with film making you never know what will happen next.
We also got stuck with locations and basic things we needed on set as most of us were strangers in that city and didn’t know where to get it.
But I worked with a very organized team and everyone was professional.
MGP: How did you get your movie funded? Share some insights into how you got the movie made.
Syndy Emade: How did I get the movie funded?! Hmmmmm! The movie was funded by BluRain Entertainment basically and at that time I remember we have been
stacking up and ready to get a fully equipped studio with every inch of equipments but
then we had to quickly dive into producing the movie.So basically, BluRain solely produced ”A Man For the weekend”
MGP: Who are your favourite film producers or actors and why?
Syndy Emade: My favorite producers or actors hmm… I will go for producers because with actors I have way too many that I love hahaha.
Producers, I will start with Madam Brenda Eyong, she is an amazing lady and inspires me daily with the level of hard work she puts in to her work.
Secondly, I will go with Itambi Delphine, I look up to her a lot and she inspires me.
I see her as a producer who faces lots of challenges, but keeps going and wanting to do the best for her craft.
Thirdly, I will say Billy Bob and Nkanya Nkwai these are men who are willing to change the game in the industry.
MGP: What were the challenges you faced bringing Nigerian actor, Alexx Ekubo in the movie?
Syndy Emade: Challenges I faced bringing Alexx, well I will say the challenges were in me making the decision on who to bring from the Nigerian market, it wasn’t in Alexx.
Firstly, Alexx was a super amazing actor to work with, He was pretty simple and easy going from the minute I decided to work with.
I wanted to penetrate the Nigerian market which they have already, which we don’t have.
So I had 5 actors to pick from, my crew and I settled with Alexx and it was amazing working with him.
MGP: What can you say about the Cameroon Movie Industry? Where do you see it in 10 years now?
Syndy Emade: The Cameroon movie industry I will say it’s that bomb that is ready to explode,
this is the time the film makers are ready to tell their stories,
that the film makers are ready for the world to enjoy their craft.
In 10 years, I see the world’s makert diving, wanting to invest in the Cameroon movie industry…
MGP: What advice do you have for other female film producers?
Syndy Emade: My advice to other female producers would just be for them to be more and more determine.
I mean being in a male thriving domain is very hard, we as women can only work very smart and very hard.
For other females who want to produce, you can only learn from the others who have been in the industry in other to better your own craft.
On no occasion would I advice any female who wants to get into producing to start degrading another person’s
work before getting in the industry rather i will advice you to learn from them, so that you don’t make
same mistakes and also thumbs up to the producers who are putting in hard work.The main thing should be consistency.
MGP: Tell us the future projects you have for 2019
Syndy Emade: 2019 as my team and I said already, it’s gonna be a short year because we have way too many projects, outlined already.
2019 is the year we planned on going the hardest that we have ever gone.We alreday have 2 major featured
films that includes 5 African Countries, we have a huge and our first major TV series that we going to be producing.
Adding to that, we have our very first huge reality show that is about to hit the screens.
We also have charity projects and also projects on wanting to give opportunities to aspiring actors.
MGP: How do you manage being a mother and pursing your career in the movie industry?
Syndy Emade: Being a mother of course a very new one at that it’s just an exciting feeling for me and best feeling that
I ever wanted to have in my life.But with the passion and love for what i do, I’m now ready to prioritize the types of work i take.
Having to take care of my baby plus work I must say it’s very hard for me.
Added to my work that I am very passionate about becomes more challenging for me.
MGP: What advice would you have for someone wanting to follow in your footsteps?
Syndy Emade: Hmmm, I will tell them to be first and above all very prayerful.
I am a very very God fearing person and for me to have come this far,
it is the grace God and also I will tell them to put in hard work and don’t
be deceived by the glamour you see on media. In a nutshell, I will tell them to better their craft.
