Interview: Movie Director Nabe- Daone on CMR cinema

Constantly looking for made-in-Africa talents, we met a young Cameroonian filmmaker based in Yaoundé, Nabe-Daone. He recently co-directed the short film "Jackpot" with Rost and Wandja.



The film is about Nadia and Sandra, two young students who spent their free time looking for wealthy men, until Nadia had a strange encounter. The film is part of the official selection of the Black Screens this year. With a passionate and constant quest for new stories to tell, he shares with us his love for cinema...

Wanda Magazine: Before being a writer and performer, you were more interested in being an actor, why?

Nabe-Daone: I would say rather that an actor emerged from within. To explain further: during the filming of ‘virtual marriage’, a series of five episodes in 2007, the director was looking for someone who could play the role of a 'player' and with a specific physique. Among those already in the cast, was my sister. It was she who strongly suggested to Blandine Fouman and a meeting was scheduled quickly.

I was thus chosen for the simple reason that I fitted the character physically. I had never starred in a movie before , but I quickly realized that this was an area I was soon to get excited about. On the set, the director noticed my interest since I found out some part of my script especially with the dialogues were too long and unnecessary. I managed to eventually make changes. If I have to summarize this first adventure, I will say that I accepted this role, not as a plea, but as a challenge to do my best out of this opportunity.

JWM: You're part of the Cameroonian adventure series called ‘Couple Black & White’ aired on Channel 2. What is the summary and how did the adventure start?

ND: (Laughs...) ‘Couple Black and White’ tells the story of a Cameroonian expatriate architect who decided to return and use his resources to contribute to the development of his country. He was promised the succession (throne), also to polygamy. Cultural clash with his white (European) wife was then unavoidable.

Based on the concept of the series I liked him (expatriate) instantly. 8 episodes were already written out of the 25 we planned, to which I was also able to offer my assistance or ideas. I arrived on the set with curiosity, wanting to see firsthand how things were going to turn out. It took me a day to go through it thoroughly and realized it was a good one with the help of two excellent technicians: Alida KOUANKEP the camera woman and her friend Tonye.

Later, I began to offer ideas or alternatives to planning, storyboard, general management and the staging that left a little to be desired. But we were all there to learn. Without really intending to, the platform became mine and according to the team, my way of working was different and I was imparting what they called a ‘positive energy’.

(Laughs ...) I ‘imposed my style’, like Ali G would say. The mantle was without doubt given to me on the third day on set and with the consent of the producer, who was also the lead actor and mostly the Director. Work, discipline, respect and punctuality in general had been restored.

I cannot tell you how I was able to combine the tasks as an Actor, Production Manager, Co Director, Writer, Lighting and Secretary (!!) at the same time, but the PASSION kept me busy every day from 6am 1 hour the next day! A folly that taught me a lot and also some health alarm to be honest...

JWM: During RIFIC (International Meeting of Short Films), you participated in a writing workshop and co-directed a short film entitled ‘JACKPOT’, which was made within only 48 hours. Is it really possible to make a film in such a short time?

N-D: If it's possible? My group and I did and thanks to two things: a strong and supportive group and a fierce professional expertise of the Writer and Director, Françoise Ellong, who initiated the project. The Cameroonian audience (crowd) is a very difficult one, seeing them silent during the screening of the movie and applauding at the end, I felt very happy!!!

JWM: What do you like most about the film industry? N -D: Nothing but (laughs ...). It is a complex environment where you can be who you want and create things that you want. It is filled with lots of good and bad things and it is up to us to choose sides.

JWM: You made a first feature film, a musical drama entitled ‘PASSION’. Can you tell us more? Where can I see or purchase this film?

ND: ‘Passion’ tells the story of two young brothers in love with the dance and musical genre called ‘AFRO –POP’ but lost their mother and eventually learnt that the road to success and life itself are a journey fraught with pitfalls.

But it was also a platform and commitment to support my talented colleagues Djibril Angel, King Creol, the creator of a dance step used in the video ‘Move’ and performed by the equally famous Cameroonian group X - Maleya and finally Softouch / The Person / MJ -IV / MAREMINT and Samuel Eshu, these composers and ‘beats makers’ and instrumental music used as channel of communication in the film.

For now it is impossible to purchase the movie, my reason during the conception was not for sale and theatrical release. I rather had to approach film festivals and broadcast TV for the first film. Moreover, STV was one of four televisions to receive the file and PAD (Ready to Spread) project. They showed me their interest in the film

JWM: What is your view on the Cameroonian cinema?

ND: Cinema in Cameroon suffers from a lack of training of the new generation of filmmakers who themselves are responsible for their failure, because they are too careless. Not as much internship opportunities are available and the Cameroonian film is lost in the universal goal that is to combine entertainment, education, awareness, and training design. Today, we are served sketches, not cinema. More importantly, we see a circle of people who leave us to mediocrity and deception while mocking his audience.

JWM: A word to all young people who would like to apply the same passion as you...



ND: With so many seen and granted interviews to filmmakers, I prefer to move aside from this routine question because from my humble opinion it does not improve most of these young people who are often their own failure and quench the flame of their passion. I just want to ask one question: what is the first thing that comes to mind when they get up in the morning?