Movies should offer more than just sex appeal, says Sharon Francis

By Ayo Onikoyi

Sharon Francis, an actress from Anambra State and a graduate in psychology, discussed her perspective on acting, how Nollywood films are changing, and the increasing presence of sexual content in productions.

In an interview, Francis explained that her interest in acting started when she was very young, well before she pursued it professionally.

She said she had been performing informally from age six, rehearsing in front of a mirror. Her significant breakthrough, however, occurred on September 4, 2011, after many auditions.

She remembered being cast in the film Shattered Mirror, which starred well‑known actors Majid Michel and Nkem Owoh.

“After so many auditions, I was pronounced perfect for a role in the movie Shattered Mirror. I will never forget that date,” she said.

When discussing the growing use of suggestive sexual content in Nollywood, Francis noted that while sex has commercial appeal in many fields, filmmakers should use it sparingly.

“Sex sells in every career in the world. But from my perspective, it is better to keep sexual actions on a low mode in movies because there are so many important messages to send to the world besides sex,” she said.

She also commented on claims that explicit scenes add realism to films. Although she conceded that a certain amount of sexual content can be essential to a story, she cautioned against overuse.

“Soft porn in a movie is needed, but injecting it limitlessly makes it lose its meaning and vibe to the audience,” she stated.

Francis added that audiences may develop higher expectations when actors repeatedly push boundaries, underscoring the importance of balance in the industry.

She emphasized that while sensual scenes can have a role in filmmaking, they should not eclipse the broader messages and themes that films aim to deliver.

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