Iretiola Doyle is a television presenter, thespian and versatile actress. She won the Best Lead Female at the 2014 Nollywood Movies Awards for her role in Moses ‘Sneeze’ Inwang’s Torn.
- How difficult was it to play a character with mental issues in Torn?
It was quite difficult and easy at the same time, quite the paradox actually! Difficult because she wasn’t outright mad! The director emphatically did not want it to be obvious till much much later in the movie which made the story all the more believable and made it very difficult for the audience to determine who was lying between the two women. Easy because hers’ was a more subtle kind of madness. All the character had to do was believe, in totality, her version of events, which in fact was her reality.
- How do you feel winning the award?
Absolutely great! Some awards you are simply grateful for, others you feel you deserve. I feel this one was earned and well deserved. There’s great acting and then there’s great acting in a great “vehicle”. In Torn, it all came together; great acting, great story. Better than average production values. It was the movie to beat. I personally have felt that that since its release, Torn as a movie has not received the recognition it deserves, so this is a delicious moment not just for me, but more so for the producer/director Moses Inwang.
- What is your daily routine like?
Up by 4 am to get the kids up and ready for school, then I’m usually on set by 8 am. Depending on the day’s schedule, I’m back home at anything between 4 pm and 9 pm.
- Camera vs stage
Stage. Nothing beats the instant gratification.
- What do you love most about Nollywood?
Our tenacity and ‘can-do’ spirit.
- If you could change Nollywood, what would you do?
I’d make sure we had stronger and more enduring structures, which are backed by the law. I would also like to see better quality scripts and stronger female characters.
- What is your greatest achievement?
There have been several, but the sum total is still being here plying my trade for close to two decades and still being relevant.
- Which other movies can we expect to see you in?
I finished principal shooting of A Tale of Two Thieves another Inwang movie (winks) a few months ago and I am currently on the set of Mo Abudu’s movie Fifty.
- What advice do you have for actresses?
Keep “wearing your red shirt” sooner or later someone will take notice.
10. In five words, you are…
Easy-going, passionate, diligent, sexy yet subtle.
Interview: Isabella Akinseye
Watch the Nolly Silver Screen Video Review in 180 seconds of Torn here.
Read the 100 word review of Torn here.
Admin