Nollywood filmmaker and producer Biodun Stephen has defended the use of kissing scenes in Nigerian films, insisting that actors who are uncomfortable with such scenes should address their concerns with their producers before accepting a role.
Stephen, who is known for producing and directing several popular Nollywood films, made the comment while speaking about the responsibilities of actors and filmmakers when it comes to intimate scenes on screen.
According to her, an actor’s personal relationship or marital status should not necessarily determine how a professional role is portrayed in a movie.
The filmmaker argued that actors should communicate their boundaries clearly and discuss any concerns they may have about certain scenes before committing to a production.
She said:“An actor’s marriage is not my responsibility. If you are an actor and you are uncomfortable about kissing in a movie, discuss it with your producer.”
However, while some actors have openly embraced romantic and intimate scenes as part of their profession, others have chosen to set personal boundaries based on their beliefs, relationships or individual convictions.
The filmmaker’s position appears to be that such matters should be discussed openly between actors and producers, rather than becoming an issue after filming has already begun.
The debate over kissing scenes has remained a recurring topic in Nollywood, with some viewers arguing that such scenes are sometimes unnecessary.
Over the years, she has established herself as one of Nollywood’s prominent filmmakers, with her work spanning film production, directing and storytelling.