Filmmaker Don Pedro Obaseki throws shades on Rita Dominic

God save us from antagonists masquerading as friends, was the present writer’s thought after reading an open letter written by filmmaker Don Pedro Obaseki to award-winning actress Rita Dominic.

 

The letter was dribbling with different degrees of shades, purporting to give a friendly advice while at the same seemingly gloating.

“Don’t be like Chichidodo, the proverbial Ghanaian bird in Ayi kwe Armah’s novel. Chichidodo was the bird that hated s--t but feeds only on the maggots from s--t,” Obaseki writes.

What kind of a friend tells someone this kind of thing, in public no less? Unless they are out to humiliate one.

Obaseki also insinuates the actress was proud and had “maligned” colleagues who might have advanced her career and may have been “left to drown with no one to help.”

“Life is a trickster. Let it not prank you. Learn that there’s nobility in humility. No, be beans, my dear,” he says.

He ended the letter with an assurance of his regard and love.

The letter comes after the actress claims that every Nollywood movie deserves to be shown in cinemas. Well, she’s right you know, some movies in Hollywood are released straight to DVD. Something that seemed lost to the filmmaker. Dominic also acknowledged that sometimes, roles are hard to come by and that she just couldn’t afford to cherry pick movie roles. There is a sense in that, methinks.

Well, filmmaker Obaseki took it upon himself to reply in an open letter, which is circulating on the internet. The present writer’s opinion is that there more to this than just a response to an opinion. I’m sure something must have gone down between these two, and I for one is interested to know all about it. Maybe that could explain all these shadings, which otherwise appear as unwarranted as things stand presently.

Read the full letter:

“AN APPEAL TO #RITA_DOMINIC – From Don Pedro Obaseki.

“My dear star, sister & colleague, Rita Nwaturocha (aka Rita Dominic & once upon a time, Rita Lamb), I’ve had the inglorious privilege of reading about your “Table Shakings” and the reactions they’ve elicited.

“Ma, humility is a virtue, and caution ain’t cowardice! I remember a few times around 2003-2006 when you used to “sweat” at Chico’s in Bank Olemoh, roaming from one set to the other, while recording TWO or THREE movies at the same Time!

“Don’t be like Chichidodo, the proverbial Ghanaian bird in Ayi kwe Armah’s novel. Chichidodo was the bird that hated s--t but feeds only on the maggots from s--t.

“Please, dearie. Leave that Table alone. It is fragile and you are right atop it dressed in your Sunday Best! But the table floats on the Lagoon of filth and jaded black trash. You may slip headlong into the murky lagoon, and because you’ve maligned all that may be willing to lend you a helping hand, you may be left to drown with no one to help pull you ashore.

“Life is a trickster. Let it not prank you. Learn that there’s nobility in humility. No be beans, my dear. As a free-spirited “young man”, I offer this ” small advice”, albeit with NO PREJUDICES. Your journey from Choba & Delta Park in Uniport to where you are now is worthy of commendation. Don’t waste it on an ego-trip.”Please remain assured of my most esteemed regards.

“We still love you.
-Don Pedro Obaseki, MBA, PhD.