Why I limit kissing scenes in my movies — Biodun Stephen

Nollywood filmmaker Biodun Stephen has dismissed claims that romantic scenes in movies are responsible for breaking marriages, insisting that actors and their spouses understand the demands of the profession.

Speaking in a video shared on Instagram late Thursday, Stephen reacted to comments by a young woman who argued that filmmakers should reduce kissing scenes because they could ruin the marriages of actors.

Addressing the claim, Stephen said she found it difficult to understand the argument, noting that kissing is not a major part of her filmmaking style.

“I just watched a video. There’s this young lady who always has something to say about Nollywood. Nobody is even casting her, but she said producers should take it easy on having actors kiss because we are possibly ruining their marriages,” she said.

Stephen explained that while she deliberately limits intimate scenes in her films because she wants them to be suitable for family viewing, she is not opposed to including them when the story requires it.

“I don’t even know how to address this. Kissing is not a big part of my craft, not because I don’t enjoy a little romance and ashewo things in my films. But I want films you can watch with your children, which is why I sort of limit it. That does not also mean that if an opportunity comes, I won’t embrace it,” she said.

The filmmaker stressed that portraying love and emotions is part of an actor’s job, adding that convincing performances often make audiences emotionally invested in on-screen relationships.

“One of the things we are selling as actors is emotions and love. When people believe in that storyline, they start rooting for the love. That can be done with or without intense kissing,” she added.

Stephen maintained that responsibility for handling romantic scenes lies with the actors and their spouses, who should already understand the nature of the profession.

“I think that responsibility is on the actor who has chosen this profession and on the spouse who has accepted that their spouse is an actor. They must have made their peace with it,” she said.

She also noted that some actors decline romantic scenes because of their personal beliefs, while others are comfortable with them.

“There are actors who have said they can’t participate in romance because of personal beliefs, and there are actors who do not mind. So whether you are kissing or being intimate, my job as a movie producer is to protect you. My job is not to break your home,” Stephen concluded.

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