50% of Kissing in Movies is Real – Yvonne Nelson

EDMUND SMITH-ASANTE

One of Ghana’s finest and budding actresses, Yvonne Nelson, has stated that 50% of the kissing that is seen in Ghanaian movies is actually real, contrary to hitherto espoused views that it is all make believe.

Responding to the question of kissing in an exclusive interview granted this reporter earlier this year at her home in Accra, Yvonne, who is fast becoming a household name, not only in Ghana but Nigeria and the rest of Africa, affirmed thus: “Yes, the kissing, 50% is real. The rest we might just fake that we are kissing but I think, yes it is as real as you see it.”

Yvonne explained that there are scenes that require intensive kissing as the director instructs, whereas with others it is just a normal kiss, adding “but sometimes I think it all has to do with the chemistry you have with whoever you are acting with.”

She stated further that if one is acting with someone he or she doesn’t really get along with, there is a holding back a little bit, while it is the opposite if the two parties are at home with each other.

Touching on the thorny issue of nudity and sex scenes in some Ghanaian movies, the 6ft tall pretty actress lamented that some producers are exploiting new entrants into the movie industry and using it as a marketing strategy to meet their own selfish ends.

 “An actor, an actress, all we do is do our job, but now it looks like Ghanaians or producers are using that as a marketing strategy to sell their movies because they know (they are always using new girls to do that) that if you see some naked girl, I mean everybody will rush to go and see what it is like in the movie,” Yvonne charged.

“I think they are just over doing it, over using it, because you watch a movie and then you see all those sex scenes and then you find out that they don’t add anything to the story,” she continued.

While accepting that she has ever played such role in a Ghanaian movie, Yvonne said there was justification for that part she played in the movie, since it formed an integral part of the story line.

“I believe that I did something similar but it had like, I mean it played a major part in the story so if you watch ‘The Heart of Men’ you will know what I am talking about,” she confirmed.

According to the talented actress, it was right after “The Heart of Men” that most of the producers started abusing sex in movies, maintaining however that it is not out of place if such scenes have some relevance to the story line.

Yvonne however cautioned; “we shouldn’t really overdo it and show too much because I don’t think it is helping the kids.”

Intimating that most of her fans are children, the actress, who hails from the Western Region of Ghana, said, “It’s like they are always coming here knocking on my gate so if they watch these movies then...I don’t know. If my parents see me as in a 10-year-old looking at that it is very bad so they should try and settle it up. I think right now they are overdoing it, yeah they are just abusing the sex scenes and all the romance and kissing in movies.”

The actress also graciously opened a window of her private life and divulged that she has a man in her life. She however declined to name the lucky man because she does not want to entangle him in her public life.

Yvonne, who is the last born of her parent’s three children, expressed her angst at various gossips and publications that have sought to pair her up with some male colleagues in the movie business, saying her man is a private person.

“I am sick and tired of all the rumours; people keep writing stuff about me. They see you with somebody and they think ah that’s the end. I have always been in a relationship. For like two years now I have been in a relationship. The person is very private and very reserved and stuff so I don’t really disclose who he is anywhere.

“But I have been linked with so many people; with Majid, John (referring to Dumelo), you know, so many other people and recently I heard it was Jim Iyke. So...I don’t know, what can you do about it? I mean, I can’t come out and say ok this is the man I am dating, but am in a relationship,” she stressed.

Yvonne Nelson maintains though that she does not hope to tie the knot anytime soon. “I am still a little girl you know. It can happen but I am not planning anything now,” she said.

Terms of Divorce – A must watch for the married

BY EDMUND SMITH-ASANTE

Ever thought of divorcing your spouse because she or he is not what you expected him or her to be – a lifetime partner?

Then you must watch the play “Terms of Divorce” written by one of Ghana’s prolific playwrights of all time, James Ebo Whyte, fondly called Uncle Ebo before taking that final decision.

There is a second opportunity for those who could not watch the thrilling play first staged at the National Theatre, Accra from September 3 to September 5, 2010 for packed audiences.

The epic, which runs twice on the day is staged; 6pm and 8pm, can again be viewed by patrons this weekend from September 10 to September 12, 2010 at the same venue.

The hilarious, yet life transforming play with a main cast of seven brilliant actors and actresses, is about a bitter and unhappy woman, Ethel, who wants divorce from her husband of twenty years, Ralph Arthur.

Mrs. Ethel Arthur is played with dexterity by Ethel Mercy Muale and Shirley Okyere-Darko, while Ralph Arthur is played by Nii Akrofi Smart Abbey and Bellah Djibrilla.

The others are Andrew Adote and Belinda Bediako Asiedu who play counsellor and wife. The role of the two lawyers is played by Roland Adom and Egya Agyekum Onwona-Sarfo as Lawyer Michael Ababio, while Elsie Attieku-Nuku and Lauretta Hammond play Lawyer Baaba Essama Ababio.

Prosper, a worker who assists Ralph to park his belongings from the house is played by Moses Okine.

Ethel and Ralph go for lawyers who ironically have ever been married and are divorced and it is no wonder that both seek to advance arguments to help their clients to do the same.

This desire of the once married lawyers however encounters a severe jolt, when the yet to divorce couple are ordered by the court to see a marriage counsellor first, which sends the process into an unforgettable twist of events.

The turn of events at the counsellor’s house, which would be better watched than told, inevitably reverses the divorce process to the chagrin of the two lawyers, who themselves later through an intriguing drama come together once again.

One lesson learnt from the play is that there is no problem that is insurmountable in a marriage and partners in that life-long commitment owe it to themselves to make it work, once they have tied the knot.

For anyone with a soft heart who is ready to watch the masterpiece of a play, a handkerchief will by all means come in handy, especially as events unfold at the counsellor’s house.

Kudos to Roverman Productions and all sponsors of the play – MTN, Stanbic Bank Ltd, GTP, KPOGAS Furniture Company, Joy FM and others. Such immensely rewarding and educative plays are what are needed in a world where the divorce rate is soaring ever so often that marriage has lost its essence.

Available statistics provided by Americans for Divorce Reform, indicate that Sweden tops the world’s divorce rate with 54.9% of marriages ending in divorce as at 2002, closely followed by the USA which has 54.8% of marriages falling on the rocks, while India is bottom of the ladder, with 1.1% of marriages ending in divorce.

Unfortunately, there are no figures for Ghana on the world chart, although it is generally known that divorce cases have become rampant in the country.

However, data available at the Accra Metropolitan Assembly on customary marriage indicates that a total of 618 marriages were dissolved in 2007 out of 1,511 marriages registered.

In January 2007, 46 out of the 136 registered marriages were dissolved and the month of February saw 49 dissolutions out of 122 registered.