ALENNE MENGET: Divulges untold realities about Cameroon Entertainment Industry.

NexDim caught up with outstanding singer, journalist and film producer , Alenne Menget for an up and close interview about his career exploits, projects and his impression about the Cameroon Entertainment Industry. He divulges some untold realities about the game. Follow !

Hello. How are you doing?

I am fine.Thank you.

Can you briefly introduce yourself?

My name is Alenne Ndifor  – Mbum Menget.I am the owner of the ATS Production of Ancien Immeuble ELF in Akwa Douala. I am a journalist by training , an audio visual producer by learning ,a singer by talent with plenty gift of the gab.

You have enormously achieved success in the entertainment industry after creating a niche. How did it all start?

Can you divulge your secrets of being a refined journalist and impresario?

It’s not a secret.I am creative and I see and learn the positive things in other people.My strongest secret is that I have  never been jealous of anybody. I let the young grow. May be because am gifted in a lot of things. I am also hard-working, prompt, I read and watch alot and most importantly I like doing what I create than imitating some one else.So my secret is just being unique too and no one knows what Alenne will do next.

What’s your technique in sustaining pure and strong vocals?

We have watched you play several roles in movies. Which projects have you been involved in so far?

I have been involved in quite a few movie projects but I was the protagonist of the first ever Nigeria-Cameroon joined venture, (The sacrament). Am not too proud about the other I have done but for the recent one , I took a Cameroonian role with Stella Damascus and another with Jim Iyke. I don’t know the names of the movies. The one I wrote, produced and directed myself is the only Cameroonian English comedy film, ‘The Return to Batibo”. I am almost losing rights over it because someone in the United States wants it all. Everybody who has watched it wants another person to watch it. Thank God the people I want to watch are watching it.

What has destroyed the entertainment industry in Cameroon is the first people who were trying to run  and manage it. They were very courageous to start it but extremely limited, untalented, foolish and even wicked if we take some cases. There is no vision or plan but excitement, back stabbing, witch hunting , greed and even corruption and theft. Cameroon has no name abroad because money for entertainers from abroad never got to entertainers through them. The embassies are going  mad with the entertainment industry ,especially Anglophones, because Visas taken for entertainers  by them was used to send non-entertainers abroad and most of them never came back. The Ministry of Culture doesn’t want to hear anything about entertainment because ,they have been there and lied many times ,taken money for issues and never went back to give a report. Producers get arrogant to actors, treat their stars like beggers, gossips , desperate actions ,immaturity , disorganisation , it’s just sham bus. There are so many talents in Cameroon . I went to Buea after along time two months ago,I saw alot of talents .I was in Bamenda, the same, but those of Buea don’t know those of Bamenda , Kumba ,Limbe and Yaounde. Everybody just wants to be noticed, even the man behind the camera.The driver too for a film project wants to act a role. Almost everybody in Buea is a star, talented or not talented.We need wise people at the head.People that can respond intellectually and responsibly.People with personality and talent.

With the infiltration of Nigerian music and movies in our Cameroonian markets, how can we convince Cameroonians to prefer consuming their products?

This is the most important question sir. How do you want Cameroonians to consume Cameroon movies or music when Cameroonian entertainers only do Nigerian sort of entertainment? Our songs are Nigerian beats and we sing in their ascent. We talk in movies like Ibos and Yorubas and call our chiefs Igwe. Nigerian film actors do the main roles in our movies and when they come we start disrespecting each other to entertain them. When even the editing of our films and music are done by them. You would be shocked with what happens when foreign starts come to get roles in our movies. Even Nigerian stars who can’t spell their name well are being rushed on like Micheal Jackon is back by Cameroonians that I consider more talented. Come and see the arrogance that these foreign stars use in treating our own very talented stars because of the chocolate treatment. Cameroonian stars work for foreign actors and producers for free and tire down local producers. And by night time, everyone is on Facebook with a brand new picture posing. Stars or entertainers don’t act cheap people. If on set you don’t go close to them and do your job well, they will look for means to come to you. But if you go desperately to them, they will minimise you and the stupid ones will even insult you.

What’s your impression about piracy?

Piracy, piracy, piracy…hahaha, it’s a whole lecture and it depends on the stage of the artist in our local context. Piracy does make entertainers popular but when they get popular, they should look for a solution against. Again it’s a long talk.

What are the personal projects you hope to initiate in the future?

I am at a very high Spirit at the moment. I am still working on documentaries. I have more than 100 documentaries in the market and customers home and abroad. You may visit the following YouTube channel to watch some. http://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9Sldviy7gefXabyP4FKjZw?feature=guide.Am .Working on my first album. It’s gospel jazz. I have engaged with the talented M1 studio in Buea for recording .We are working with four awesome ,intelligent and beautiful girls for a major talk show that we will have a  first season on TV soon, A new movie is on its way ,The University  lecturers , a movie on the unification of Cameroon and a soap opera. I am also thinking of a TV and Radio station.

What do you plan to contribute in the growth of the entertainment industry in Cameroon?

My plans for the Cameroon entertainment industry are plans I have for the ATS Productions. Am not going out for any until proven matured, will go for other plans with people who share my dreams and are focused.

Your involvement in the ‘’Fix It Show’’ contributed to give it colour and grandeur. What’s the plan for the future?

How do you cope with hysteria from fans?

I am an extremely simple , so my fans have become my friends. That’s why it’s easy for me to do investigative journalism in my documentaries. I am also a very complicated person to those who are not simple. But I love fans who try to understand what I intend to bring out than those who just get excited  with the man they saw on TV. You know all stars are popular but I want to be the famous star and not the notorious star for my fans.

What do you do in your spare time?

There is no spare time at this level, man. All I do matter. I don’t go swimming, I don’t go clubbing. I had my time and I enjoyed my best. Today, I work. I can’t say singing or watching movies,because,all that to me is part of my work.

Are you married?

No, I am not married but i got a beautiful kid

What’s your favorite Cameroonian dish?

My favourite Cameroon dish varies with my appetite at that particular moment and I  go for it. I am not just simple in style . I don’t complicate my diet.

What’s your advice to upcoming entertainers?

Entertainers, you have got to work hard .Then, most importantly, learn to manage your talent. Try to distinguish between getting notorious and famous because a majority of you are notorious. Quit if you discover it’s not going and try something else. It is very difficult to put bread on your table in this business in our country.

Do you visit nexdimempire.com? What’s your appraisal?

I do visit you some of the times and like many say, you are good. Keep up but work harder.

It is a pleasure having on nexdimempire.com.

Thanks.