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CMMC: Hello Sir, this is CMMC - the Camer Movie Marketing Corporation. We promote Cameroon's film industry. We would like to interview you in your capacity as the director of the movie China Wahala 1 & 2. Please would you mind introducing yourself to our readers?
Joyce Kuchah at work
J.K: I am Joyce Kuchah a graduate from the University of Yaoundé I Cameroon. I studied English Modern Letters with Cinema and Television as my Minor from the Theatre Arts Department in the same University. I also hold an Online TEFL Certificate (Teacher of English as a Second Language) and presently involved in an Online Filmmaker Course. I am Married with two Children.
CMMC: Why China Wahala as the title of the movie? What is China Wahala?
J.K: As a matter of fact the word “Wahala” is a borrowed word from our neighbouring Nigeria, meaning “Trouble” and because it is a word that we all now understand the meaning, I couldn’t think of any other word to describe the story than China Wahala. China Wahala therefore means; China Troubles, which of course sounds better in “China Wahala.
CMMC: What has your inspiration been as you direct China Wahala?
J.K: The actors and actresses that I worked with have been a great source of inspiration for me. They were just so ready to do a great job and that pushed me forward. All of them except me were acting for the first time, so I didn’t expect much from them, but they came up with wonderful performances. I found it really exciting working with a group of new comers and encouraging people.
CMMC: Tell us about the plots of China Wahala 1& 2.
J.K: China Wahala, as the title suggests tells the story of troubles that our fellow Cameroon brothers and sisters fall into when they travel abroad. It is about young boys and girls going abroad to live a better life but falling into the hands of dubious Cameroonians who drain every little money that they bring with them and allow them to roam the streets without food, shelter and job, despite the promises made by these bad guys to give them jobs. However, in these ups and downs encountered by these newcomers the light finally shines on them and they get a job, while the bad guy (General) is exposed and the Chinese police immediately arrest him and he is repatriated.
In China Wahala 2, the bad guy (General) returns to China with a new plan to regain his girlfriend who was part of the reason for his repatriation. When he discovers that this girl is married to one of his misfortune clients in part 1, he is determined to do everything that he can to get back his most loved girlfriend. That’s where another Wahala begins.
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CMMC: China Wahala is shot in China. How did you go about the casting? Most Cameroonian Movies are shot in Cameroon. What problems did you face with the casting?
J.K: Well, for China Wahala 1, I was determined to start up with my dream and so I just called a group of friends, talked to them and they agreed to take part. So knowing all of them very well, I could immediately determine who was good for what role and so went ahead with of my Cinematographer to cast them in the different roles. Like I said before, none of them had acted before and the fact that we are all teachers out here in China, we had no time to meet. So we did serious online rehearsals where I would explain what I wanted from them and they responded just right. China Wahala 2 was much more encouraging because I worked with actors around me and we carried out rehearsals for a couple of weeks before shooting.
CMMC: A foreigner shooting a movie in China is surely not an easy thing? What problems have you faced shooting China Wahala? What help have you received from Chinese friends?
J.K: The biggest problem we had was that of communication, especially for the first movie. (Note that China Wahala 2 was shot one year later.) All of the technical crew was made up of Chinese people and it was hell explaining to them what I wanted from them. However, my best Chinese friend who is also an English teacher had to ask for leave from work to help us out. He really did a great job helping out. For the second movie, I knew exactly what I wanted and my Chinese speaking ability has grown, so I was able to communicate with the crew at least with the support of my wife.
CMMC: In the movie we see that you have used Chinese actors and actresses. Was it easy working with them? Didn't you have language barrier problems?
J.K: Actually, all what the Chinese actors say was in Chinese, we just had to explain to them what they had to say and they made it up. Like I said before the other Chinese actors who had much to say in English are English teachers so they speak pretty good English.
CMMC: You are still working on China Wahala 2, how successful has China Wahala 1 been in terms of sales?
J.K: To be honest with you, China Wahala 1 has not been encouraging in the sales. I get great reviews from the few people who have bought copies but large numbers of the movie are lying on shelves of Movie stores. You know the Cameroonian public is not yet ready for our own product, they keep going for Nigerian movies, but I know that come what may, we Cameroonian film makers will keep fighting to make our movies known in Cameroon and the world.
CMMC: What do you consider to have been your greatest obstacles while directing China Wahala 1 & 2?
J.K: My greatest obstacle has been that of putting across the message in the most perfect manner as possible. Due to financial constraints it was really not possible to make it look the way I had in mind. The reason being that I hired equipment and we had just enough finance for a limited time. If we had the means to carry on, I think my crew cast and I would have done a far better job.
CMMC: There is a lot going on in the newly created Cameroon Film Industry (CFI) now. What do you think about CFI?
J.K: I think we need just a little more effort and all will be well. If we can all stop looking only at the bad side of things but also look at the good side, then we will be building and not destroying. I read a lot of mail on the CFI forum with people complaining over things that should not be talked about. No one is perfect and a few people keep blaming the EXCO for a few mistakes. I have not read any mail from anyone praising them for their work to let the Minister of Culture recognize us. It is really absurd. Any Cameroonian who will be in the next EXCO, will not be different I can bet you on that. What I am saying is that we should be very constructive in our criticism and give proposals rather than throwing insult and not proposing anything. We also need to be mature in our approach and be ready to tolerate people’s faults.
CMMC: A lot of camer amateurs with talents wonder how they can join Collywood. What do you have to tell them?
J.K: I may not be able to answer that now since I am out here. I do believe that if you hook up with some of the directors and producers back home, they will give them the exact information they need. As I know, registration is going on in the different guilds and actors must be registered in order to appear in a movie. The CFI EXCO can elaborate on that.
CMMC: One of the greatest problems with the Cameroonian film industry is the unavailability of our movies in both the local and international market. How available is China Wahala? Where can we get China Wahala 1&2?
J.K: We do have our movies in the local markets. What we lack is advertisement. Again like I mentioned earlier, being out here in China makes it difficult for me to take active part in anything back home even though I try to communicate with some filmmakers but they are busy and hardly have time to give me information. Nonetheless, I tried and had copies of China Wahala 1 in Britain, Germany and the USA. For the USA you can contact: +13109782911 for copies. Copies in Europe have been sold out. I believe that with your (CMMC) existence, you will play a major role in promoting my next movies.
CMMC: Mr. Director, what's next on your schedule after China Wahala?
J.K: I will be going home in July 2009 to set up a Production House. That is top in my agenda besides launching China Wahala 2. I already operate a professional editing studio right here in China and will be transporting it to Cameroon in July. I think that is what we need in Cameroon which of course we don’t have to the best of my knowledge. It will consist of Tungsten lights, Pro DVCAM camera, dollies and a pro standard editing studio for a start. With that I will be ready to give them out for the most affordable prices just to make sure that we produce great movies with better sound and image quality.
CMMC: Do you have a word to say to CMMC?
J.K: I just want to praise your efforts and wish you all the best. It takes great thinking minds to come up with such a wonderful initiative like yours. Please keep up and Make Cameroon Filmmakers proud.
CMMC: A word to Camer movie fans.
J.K: Watch Out! The best is coming not long from now. Collywood is about to explode so be ready to get thrilled by the wonderful talents we have.
CMMC: Thank you so much Mr. Director. We look forward to talking to you again in future.
J.K: Thank you too. God bless You, and God bless CFI.
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