The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) on Tuesday, August 16, announced that Elfike Film Collective’s ‘The Wedding Party’ will premiere on its prestigious opening night as a selection of the Spotlight City to City programme.
The premiere scheduled for Thursday, 8th of September 2016 will hold at the historic Elgin Theatre.
The Kemi Adetiba directed romcom stars some of Africa’s biggest stars led by Richard Mofe-Damijo, Sola Sobowale, Alibaba, Iretiola Doyle, Banky W, and Adesua Etomi, with the stars of the film expected to attend the premiere.
“We are pleased to welcome The Wedding Party by award-winning filmmaker Kemi Adetiba to the Festival, and are proud to present it to a global audience,” said Cameron Bailey, Artistic Director of the Toronto International Film Festival. “Adetiba has delivered an exciting character-driven film on a grand scale, while putting her own unique spin on a familiar genre.”
Also speaking, Executive Producer, Mo Abudu said:
“This will be the second time an EbonyLife movie is selected to screen at an International Film Festival of great repute, TIFF’s selection of ‘The Wedding Party’ is a true honour. I can’t think of a better place, or a better global audience for the film’s festival Premiere.”
Written by playwright Tosin Otudeko and Kemi Adetiba, ‘The Wedding Party’ is an Elfike Film Collective production – a first of its kind initiative designed to raise the bar in African storytelling through unrivalled technical achievement in filmmaking and creative media arts. Elfike Film Collective is a collaboration of Africa’s leading powerhouses – EbonyLife Films, FilmOne Distribution, Inkblot Productions and Koga Studios. It is the first time industry giants will partner on a film project and with TIFF’s recognition is proving that Collectives can grow and prosper the continent’s film community.
Set in Lagos, Nigeria, The Wedding Party is the story of Dunni Coker (Adesua Etomi), a 24 year old art gallery owner and only daughter of her parents about to marry the love of her life, IT entrepreneur Dozie (Banky W). The couple took a vow of chastity and is looking forward to a ground-breaking first night together as a married couple.
Alibaba and Sola Sobowale play the role of Dunni’s parents while Iretiola Doyle and Richard Mofe-Damijo play Dozie’s parents. Other notable names in the stellar cast include Zainab Balogun, AY, Beverly Naya, Emma OhMyGod, Lepacious Bose, Somkele Idhalama, Daniella Brown, Ikechukwu Onunaku, Ayo Makun, Enyinna Nwigwe, Kunle Idowu, Sambasa Nzeribe, Hafiz Oyetoro amongst others.
The Wedding Party’ will take guests on a journey to the rockiest wedding day in Nigeria’s history. Wedding guests will have to take their seats and see whether the wedding planner succeeds or if the groom’s ex-girlfriends will disrupt the day’s proceedings. One thing is certain ‘The Wedding Party’ will be the talk of the town.
The 41st Toronto International Film Festival runs from the 8th to 18th of September, 2016. The Lagos International Premiere of ‘The Wedding Party’ which will hold at The Landmark Centre in November 2016 and promises to be an unforgettable night of pomp and pageantry.
The event which started with the arrival of the cast, producers and director had the movie introduced by Cameron Bailey, Creative Director of TIFF.
The premiere was attended by the cast, Danny Glover, Bimbo Akinkola, Keppy Ekpenyong, Somkele Iyamah-Idlahama, Sola Oyebode,
Associate Producer of 93 Days, Kemi DaSilva-Ibru including Producers/Executive Producers of 93 Days, Bolanle Austen-Peters, Dotun Olakunri and Steve Gukas.
Other celebrities that graced the red carpet are Mo Abudu, Wangi Mba-Uzuokwu, Ireti Doyle, Osas Ighodaro,George Kallis, Adesua Etomi, Zainab Balogun including various dignitaries and international media were also present at the premiere.
The movie screening which took place at the Isabel Bader Theatre was filled to capacity.
Guests line up went as far as two streets with everyone eager to watch 93 Days.The movie ended with a standing ovation by the crowd and a Q&A session.
“The key was collaboration and to see how much we can achieve with collaboration really changed me. It was important for me to be in this film because of the message. Nigeria is a dynamic great country, it’s a country where the people are challenging themselves. This is an example of how they challenged themselves and succeeded. I’m so proud to be a part of it” – Hollywood actor, Danny Glover (Played Dr Ohiaeri).
93 Days premieres in Nigeria today 13th of September2016 at The Rock Cathedral, Lekki Lagos.
The movie directed by Steve Gukas will be showing in cinemas nationwide from the 16th of September 2016.
This September, the Lights Camera Africa Film Festival 2016 brings to audiences an offering of films under the banner ‘Music Makes the People…’
The three days festival is an unabashed display of works of film that speak to the power of music and indeed other art forms to create love, express sorrow, build bridges and end wars.
It is a feast that is dedicated to screening the very best of emerging, fresh, independent African cinema and in particular celebrating the musical voice of film.
Featuring the famous Festival Souk, inter-disciplinary showcases of literature, visual art and live music, the festival promises to be one of a lifetime.
Lights Camera Africa Film Festival is taking place 30th September – 2nd October 2016 at The Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos.
Get yourself prepared for the 6th edition of Lights Camera Africa Film Festival 2016 – check out synopses and trailers (Part 1)
1. Akounak Tedalat Taha Tazoughi (Rain, the Colour of Blue with a little Red in it) – Dir. Christopher Kirkley, Niger, 2015, 75 mins
Akounak tells the universal story of a musician trying to make it against all odds, set against the backdrop of the raucous subculture of Tuareg guitar. The protagonist, real life musician Mdou Moctar, must battle fierce competition from jealous musicians, overcome family conflicts, endure the trials of love, and overcome his biggest rival – himself. Stylistically borrowing from the Western rock-u-drama and a homage to Purple Rain, the story was written with and for a Tuareg audience, drawing from experiences of Mdou Moctar and fellow musicians. Carried by stunning musical performances from Mdou, the film is equally a window into modern day Tuareg guitar in the city of Agadez as it is an experiment in modern ethnographic filmmaking and new techniques of cross cultural collaboration.
2. Anton, Dir. Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine, Uganda/Germany/USA, 2016, 5min
A young German boy longs for his father in Africa.
3. ’Biodun Olaku: Nigerian Painter, Dir. Tam Fiofori, Nigeria, 2016, 18mins
‘BIODUN OLAKU: NIGERIAN PAINTER is an 18-minute documentary film by Tam Fiofori. It visually chronicles a surprise visit to one of Nigeria’s most accomplished painters and, also one of Tam’s favourite artists, ‘Biodun Olaku, at his work-space in the Universal Studios complex opposite the National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos, in 2002. Without much prompting, ‘Biodun Olaku graciously and spontaneously talked about his philosophy as a painter and artist; his busy role, “passing visual comments on social, political and other activities that take place around me and I witness.” He then uses five of his paintings to illustrate his philosophy, inspiration and role as an artist, as well as explaining his technique, elements of design and dramatic use of colours.
A recent chance encounter with an old Olaku exhibition catalogue led to the search and rediscovery of the ‘raw’ and now ‘fragile’ 2002 Olaku footage from Fiofori’s archives and, the compulsive inspiration to produce this timeless documentary on ‘Biodun Olaku; a frontline Nigerian painter, in 2016.
4. Cholo – Dir. Muzna Almusafer, Oman, 2016, 21 min Trailer
The dark-skinned 11-year-old Cholo meets his fair-skinned brother Abdullah for the first time, when their father Saeed arrives in Zanzibar from Muscat. Although, strikingly different, the two boys enjoy a crackling chemistry.
5. Destino, Dir. Zangro, France,2013, 22 min Trailer
Two young guys from the neighborhood (Loïc and Mehdi) have set up a little business filming arabic wedding celebrations and then editing them in their mini van, their ‘audiovisual laboratory’. But when Mehdi starts to film the wedding of Leila, his pretty ex-girlfriend… Destiny happens.
6. Gidi Blues, Dir. Femi Odugbemi, Nigeria, 2016, 103 min Trailer
Akin is an indulged playboy from an affluent family who accidentally meets an interesting beauty in an unpredictable place. Nkem is a beautiful, confident but unusual young lady who devotes herself to her work as a community volunteer in the belly of the city’s worst slum. Their encounter drags them both into a whirlwind experience that unravels their world.
7. Green White Green Dir. Abba Makama, Nigeria, 2016, 102 min Trailer
A group of young bohemian artists hang out and search for direction in their lives in the stagnant months leading up to the beginning of their university studies, in this richly textured and frequently funny look at Lagos’ new generation. Hip, modern, and bursting with creative energy, this is the look of young Lagos. Uzoma and his friends are on the cusp of adulthood, feeling directionless in those stagnant months before the beginning of their university studies. They spend their days playing videogames or competing in impromptu yab-offs, improvised insult matches where the quip that gets the most laughs determines the winner. They’re conscious of the varied cultures of Nigeria’s Igbo, Hausa, and Yoruba ethnic groups, but they’re as likely to play those for laughs as for beef.
These young bohemians are also artists: painters and filmmakers looking to hone their crafts and tap into their own reservoirs of inspiration. Self-taught painter Uzoma struggles to sell his work on the street, and will readily wait all day at a local art gallery for a chance to speak with the owner. Baba experiments with his first short film, even if the set is just his own backyard. If inexperience is a barrier, then persistence and fearless ambition are their secret weapons. It’s a can-do way of life that feels perfectly Lagosian; these guys are right at home in this city whose population of 21 million is always on the go. Richly textured, funny, and a bit cheeky, Green White Green presents a cityscape reminiscent of a Spike Lee joint, with its vivid colours and vivacious inhabitants.
8. House Of Nwapa Dir. Onyeka Nwelue, Nigeria, 2016, 90 min
The House of Nwapa chronicles the story of Flora Nwapa, considered as Africa’s first female novelist published in English. A string of narratives and interviews, featuring Nobel Laureate, Wole Soyinka, children’s literature writer, Mabel Segun, German anthropologist, Sabine Jell-Bahlsen and former Heinemann editor, James Currey. It details who she was and what she represented.
9. I Shot Bi Kidude Dir. Andy Jones, UK, 2015, 105 min
Shot in Zanzibar, it is a beautiful tale of a singer who was the oldest singer alive in some parts of Zanzibar. It is a documentary showing Bi Kidude when she was about a 100years old and still touring the country and the world, performing her music internationally. Bi Kikude was a rebel-rocking chain smoker whose sense of humour was vibrant and carried that spirit throughout into her old age. Bi Kikude was known as the ‘Queen of Zanzibar’, the ‘Queen of Africa’. A huge annual music festival called ‘Busara’, in Zanzibar, was never complete without Bi Kikude’s performance. Bi Kikude in her old age became very sick but then was shockingly kidnapped. The world’s oldest singer is kidnapped. A mystery: who kidnaps an old woman who was loved by all?
10. In the Eye of the Eye of the Spiral Dir Raynald Leconte/Eve Blouin, USA/Haiti/UK, 2014, 72 mins
In the Eye of the Spiral details an artistic and philosophical movement born in Haiti called Spiralism, which has spread across the arts, touching upon spirituality and even politics. Featuring narration by Annie Lennox and the music of Brian Eno, the film sheds light on the state of a country hit by corruption and natural disaster, and the incredible will of Haitian artists who produce art as a personal form of redemption and survival.
This season, the annual Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) returns for its sixth year of cinematic celebration with an impressive line-up of movie premieres, film screenings, industry sessions, master classes and other festival programmes holding in Lagos, Nigeria, from November 13 to 20, 2016.
Announcing the festival programmes at the Intercontinental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos on Friday, 14th of October 2016, AFRIFF Founder/Executive Director Ms. Chioma Ude said Lagos will, once again, wear the tourism ambiance, playing host to filmmakers and actors from around the world, with over 100 films showing at the newly opened Filmhouse-IMAX and Genesis Cinema, both in Lekki, Lagos.
Ude appeared to have struck the right cord when she announced Nate Parker’s Oscar hopeful, The Birth of a Nation and Izu Ojukwu’s celebrated film on the first Nigerian military coup, 76 as the opening and closing films respectively, a disclosure which was received with loud ovation.
Canon Europe Ltd, leading provider of digital cameras, and Diageo Nigeria, world’s premium beverage company join the list of resourceful partners and developmental agencies like Ford Foundation, British Institute, Lagos State, Africa Magic, MultiChoice Nigeria, Access Bank, Bank of Industry, Peugeot Automobile Nigeria (PAN), Afrinolly, African Film Consortium (AFC), Filmhouse-IMAX, Genesis Cinemas and Silverbird Group, at the press parley and cocktail launch.
According to the AFRIFF boss, festival guests are up for the best of times during the festival, as all the films in official line-up are products of the new narratives for African cinema and Black films world over.
The selection includes, 93 Days (Nigeria) by Steve Gukas, The CEO (Nigeria) by Kunle Afolayan, Vaya (South Africa) by Akin Omotoso, The Cursed Ones (U.K) by Nana Obiri, The Wedding Ring ( Niger) by Rahmatou Keita, Kati Kati (Kenya) by Mbithi Masya, If Tomorrow Never Comes (Ghana) by Pascal Amanfo, Remember Me (Nigeria) by Izu Ojukwu, Breathe (South Africa) by Mark Dornford-May, The Missing God (Nigeria) by Ubaka Joseph, Unspoken (Nigeria) by Remi Vaughan-Richards, Green White Green (Nigeria) by Abba Makama, The Unseen (Namibia) by Perivi Natjavivi, N.G.O (Uganda) by Arnold Aganze, Gidi Blues (Nigeria) by Femi Odugbemi, Daggers of Life (Ghana) by Paapa Otoo, Shadow of the Passion (Burkina Faso) by Ado Bambara, Ojukokoro (Nigeria) by Dare Olaitan, Bala Bala Sese (Uganda) by Lukyamuzi Bashir and The Arbitration (Nigeria) by Niyi Akinmolayan.
In addition to the wide range of films, the festival, according to Ude, will also offer industry platforms for skill acquisition, financing, pitching, symposia on alternative revenue streams and piracy.
Ude noted that one of the core objectives of the festival is talent development where AFRIFF has been engaging with its partners in creating opportunities for young people to explore filmmaking. “Amongst our Shorts programme are films made by young people, selected from last year’s training and talent development programmes,” she said.
Speaking on Canon’s partnership with AFRIFF, Managing Director of CCNA, Roman Troedthandl, said: “It is incredible to see how far AFRIFF has come in the past 6 years in terms of receiving acknowledgement within the international film industry. The festival has grown from strength to strength in these years. CCNA is proud to partner with AFRIFF and contribute to this success. We are looking forward to this year’s festival and the world class cinema that will be screened.”
Executive Producer of ‘76, Prince Tonye Princewill who responded from London where the film is being screened at the London International Film Festival said “the honour of our film being chosen to close the Africa International Film Festival cannot be described with words. The film has been honoured around the world, but recognition at home means everything to us. The field for Nigerian films is very strong this year, so it is especially rewarding for ‘76 to receive this nod. We are proud of the AFRIFF organizers and hope we can do them justice.”
Kene Mkparu who spoke on behalf of Filmone-IMAX, FilmOne Distribution and The Birth of a Nation, noted that “FilmOne Distribution & Filmhouse Cinemas are truly honoured to be a part of bringing this amazing re-telling of a remarkable piece of African history to the continent of Africa. And like Nate Parker (writer, director, producer and star of the movie) himself said, what better platform to present The Birth Of A Nation to the continent than the biggest African film festival, AFRIFF, here in Lagos Nigeria. We are also delighted that this movie is so important to our partners 20th Century Fox that senior executives of Fox (including Paul Higginson, Executive Vice President, EMEA) as well as stars of the movie will be here, live, in Lagos to launch the Birth of A Nation. This is a movie all Africans must get to the cinema to see. It is our story we never knew, action packed, resilient spirit of man, godliness, hard-hitting, tear-jerking, emotional, thought-provoking and very, very well made.”
Pictures from the recently concluded Lights, Camera, Africa 2015 Film Festival; which took place at the Federal Palace Hotel, Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island, Lagos
FIFTY, the widely anticipated movie from EbonyLife Films is set for its Grand Premiere at the prestigious Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, on December 13, 2015. The 2015 BFI London Film Festival official selection is also scheduled to start showing in cinemas nationwide as from December 18, 2015. As we await both grand premiere and cinema release, one of the stars of the movie, FIFTY, and a leading light of the entertainment industry, Dakore Egbuson-Akande (who plays Tola in the movie) chats briefly about the movie and offers some insight into the amazing film.
Can you briefly describe the role you played in FIFTY?
I play ‘Tola’ in the movie. She’s the quintessential diva with a heart but on the inside she’s deeply wounded.
What sort of person is going to love this character that you played?
I think it’s a character people may not understand, maybe people will dislike her at first but once they come to understand her story they’ll be filled with love and empathy for her.
How is this character like you?
Tola is like me in the sense of her philanthropic nature, being in front of the camera as a TV star, being glamorous and that’s about it.
What do you love about this character?
I love the fact that it’s a multi-dimensional character. In some films you see people being mean but there’s no back story or explanation but in this film you feel her pain and learn that we all have our issues.
What do you hate about this character?
I hate what happened to cause her to become the way she is.
What’s the biggest challenge about taking on this role?
Because my character touches on a very taboo subject and I had to play it with a lot of sensitivity and strength, also it was challenging because I understood the importance of being true to those who might have experienced it. To tell the story on their behalf in a brutally honest way.
What’s your favorite line of dialogue in your role and why?
‘That man is nothing but a beast, I ought to get someone to slit his throat!’ of course!
Besides yourself, which actor in FIFTY is going to blow audiences away? And why?
All the actors brought their ‘A’ game but I’ll be biased and single out my brother Timini Egbuson who plays ‘Jamal”.
If you could play any other character in FIFTY, who would it be? And why?
I would love to have played ‘Elizabeth”. The role has a lot of layers, like a big juicy onion. Having said that, I’m extremely honoured to have played Tola.
Describe FIFTY in one word.
A revelation!
ABOUT DAKORE EGBUSON-AKANDE
Dakore Egbuson-Akande is worth her weight in gold in the Nigerian entertainment industry. A multiple award winning Film/Stage Actor, TV personality, Vocalist/Dancer and Humanitarian, Mrs. Akande studied Mass Communication at the University of Lagos.
She is currently a Brand Ambassador for Pampers (P&G) Nigeria, Cow&Gate (Danone Nutricia). She is also the current Ambassador for ActionAid Nigeria with the aim of sensitizing Nigerians to align with the poor and disadvantaged in society.
In her humanitarian work she has partnered with Amnesty International, Oxfam and the UN in various campaigns from gender-violence, girl-child education and control of arms.
She hails from Bayelsa State though born and bred in Lagos, Nigeria. Dakore is married to Lou and they are blessed with two beautiful little girls.
They say a problem shared is a problem half solved, right? Well, here goes … I’d like to ask for some advice but would like to remain anonymous, I’m a TV reality star and I actually don’t want my business out there.
Here’s my problem, my husband is having an affair with a lady who is around my age – she’s around my age so I know it isn’t the fact that I’m becoming “expired”. I try to keep it together as I really don’t want to do the whole divorce thing and everything else in my life is going well … I have a thriving career, I’m where I want and need to be in life; I really don’t need something like this throwing me off course but at the same time, I don’t want him to think I’m stupid and that I don’t know what’s going on. I’m even starting to question if it’s all my fault … how should I approach the situation? Is it really my fault?
Tola is a character in FIFTY, a riveting and emotional feature film production of EbonyLife Film executively produced by Mo Abudu. Tola is played by Dakore Egbuson-Akande. If you were in Tola’s shoes would you confront your husband, or play the fool? Would you be scared to start your life all over again? Is she responsible for the situation she’s in? Share your views…
The film will have its Grand Premiere on Sunday 13th December 2015 at Eko Hotel and Suites and will be in cinemas nationwide as from December 18th December 2015.
Tickets for the Grand Premiere are limited so book your ticket(s) now!
Call Temidayo on +234 809 871 8555
***Platinum Exclusive Benefits – Front Row VVIP Table for 10. Red carpet interviews Performances by KSA, Tiwa Savage and Waje. Fine dining and champagne. The exclusive premiere of FIFTY Meet and Greet with our stars. Photo opportunities with our stars. Access to our FIFTY Old Skool After Party.
***Platinum Plus Benefits – Gold Circle Row VVIP Table for 10. Red carpet interviews Performances by KSA, Tiwa Savage and Waje. Fine dining and champagne. The exclusive premiere of FIFTY Meet and Greet with our stars. Photo opportunities with our stars. Access to our FIFTY Old Skool After Party.
***Platinum Premium Benefits VVIP – Tables and Special seating for couples and singles. Red carpet interviews Performances by KSA, Tiwa Savage and Waje. Fine dining and champagne. The exclusive premiere of FIFTY Meet and Greet with our stars. Photo opportunities with our stars. Access to our Fifty Old Skool After party.
The Nominees for the fourth edition of Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards (AMVCA) were revealed on Friday 11th December 2015 at a star studded event.
The announcement was made by popular Kenyan broadcaster Larry Madowo and renowned Nigerian comedienne ChiGurl, during a special live broadcast on all Africa Magic channels on DStv and GOtv.
Celebrities including Ini Edo, Omoni Oboli, OC Ukeje, Michelle Dede, Rukky Sanda, Beverly Naya, Adesua Etomi, Juliet Ibrahim and more were present at the event.
Beemer, Benz, Bentley, Porsche, Ferrari, Range Rover Jeep, Mercedes, Mercedes, Mercedes. A traffic jam of luxury cars snakes up the Eko Hotel driveway in Lagos, Nigeria. It’s just another night during a festive season on Victoria Island… or is it? With a population of over 160 million (22 million of which live in Lagos alone), Nigeria is the economic and population powerhouse of the African. Lagos is the third largest city in the world after Shanghai and Karachi, and during Christmas holidays, it feels like every Nigerian in the diaspora returns home to live it up and chop money. But tonight is a homecoming of a slightly different sort.
Under the haze of a setting sun, large fruit bats swoop to devour moths caught in the spotlights while scintillating evening gowns of sequins and taffeta mingle with bejeweled melanin. At exactly 7:30, armed guards rush to open car doors as Louboutin beauties and Armani-tuxedoed gents spill out onto the red carpet, inciting a crescendo of flashing paparazzi and champagne corks.
EbonyLife TV founder/executive director Mosunmola Abudu spared no expense in creating an Oscar-worthy event for the Lagos premiere of Fifty. “Fifty is a celebration of all that is good in and about Lagos and Africa as continent,” she says.
A two-year veteran in the TV space, Fifty is Abudu’s first foray into feature-length filmmaking, and she’s already leading the pack in terms of execution. The event was on time. In one fell swoop, Mo Abudu created a blueprint for quality and presentation. The event (held December 13) is already being spoken about as the biggest film premiere in the history of Nigerian cinema. Normally, you cannot outdo Nigeria when it comes to hyperbole, but this is spot on.
The Lagos event is Fifty’s second premiere. The first was held at the 59th annual BFI London Film Festival amidst huge fanfare that exposed Leicester Square to African drumming from U.K.-based talking drummers. The film was selected in the festival’s Love Category and issued resounding applause from the mostly White audience in attendance. But nothing tops Lagos.
Once inside the Eko venue and beyond the velvet ropes—past the paparazzi, the steady flow of waitress with unlimited glasses of wine and champagne, the TV-crew presenters with outstretched microphones and digital recorders, the 3D selfie printer (where they do that at?), the shotgun-wielding armed guards—the red carpet flowed through the long and spacious corridors of the hotel. It spilled out into a cavernous ballroom fitted with over a 100 white high-thread-count tableclothed round tables and the chitter-chatter of Nigeria’s crème de la crème.
The room was heavy with the thick scent of Black money, and rightfully so. Attendees rubbed shoulders with dignitaries from government and the private sector. This was African balling. Tickets were priced in categories that, when translated from the local Naira to the dollar, basically amount to $8,000 a table.
In that beautifully air-conditioned, jasmine-scented venue, we stood amongst proud countrymen who rose to the national anthem sung by singer Nikki Laoye. We toasted champagne to the comedy of Ayo Makun (better known as A.Y). We took breaks from our spicy chicken, plantain and Jollof meals to wipe perspiration from our foreheads and dance in our seats to the beats of King Sunny Adé, Tiwa Savage and Waje. All this before watching Fifty! If this premiere was your date night, it was lit to say the least.
After dessert, we were all escorted into the adjacent darkened ballroom cum cinema to actually watch the film.
Directed by Biyi Bandele and executively produced by Mo Abudu, Fifty captures a few pivotal days in the lives of four Nigerian women at the pinnacle of their careers. Tola, Elizabeth, Maria and Kate are forced at midlife to take inventory of their personal lives, while juggling careers and family against the sprawling backdrops of the upper middle-class neighborhoods of Lagos.
Upper middle class? In Africa? The international media has done a great job of convincing the world (especially African Americans) that the continent is dusty, war torn, famine filled, and AIDS stricken. But it’s easy to see a sophisticated Lagos emerging as the fifth character in the film, undoubtedly (like the premiere event itself) evolving our perception of what contemporary Nigeria looks like. If you are reading this, your idea of Africa has probably already gone from nada to Prada, and that ultimately is Mo Abudu’s goal.
“I founded EbonyLife to change the narrative, to balance the narrative,” she says. “When I interviewed Hillary Clinton many years ago and asked how we change this stereotypical view the world had of Africa, her response was that more people like me had to speak on behalf of Africa.”
Available on Netflix beginning December 28, Fifty is Mo Abudu’s quest to showcase African women coming of age. The film is loaded with increasingly similar aspirations and dilemmas faced by contemporary women of color everywhere while navigating unresolved traditions and obligations specific to life in the contemporary Nigerian experience.
By two in the morning, the lobby of the hotel is awash with the last straggling partygoers. Cell phones to ears, dark shades and sinewy mahogany legs step up to be Uber’d off into the waiting night. The pulsating old school beats from DJ Jimmy Jat’s Serato still echo in my ears, and I’m reminded of Kwame Nkruma’s words regarding the future of an ideal Africa that embraces all of its individual parts: “We face neither East nor West; we face forward.” And I realize we are alive in his waking dream. This is Africa.
Forget Star Wars, Alvin and the Chipmunks, No Escape or Point Break, the movie breaking all records at the Nigerian box office against all odds is Mo Abudu’s FIFTY, the new age drama chronicling the lives of four fifty year old women living in Lagos. Despite competition from about 8 films in the last 2 weeks, FIFTY has triumphed gallantly at the box office, consistently selling out shows in Ikeja, Abuja, Surulere, Lekki, Ibadan, Akure and other locations across the country. One of the strongest points for FIFTY is the film’s ability to attract a new type of audience, particularly middle-class women who have gone out in groups to catch the action.
FIFTY, which earlier on premiered before a global audience in London at the prestigious BFI London Film Festival, is set to go into the record books as the premiere of the century, one which attracted highly respected VIPS the likes of businessman and billionaire Aliko Dangote (GCON), Honorable Minister of Transport Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, visionary economist, entrepreneur and philanthropist Tony Elumelu, healthcare philanthropist and wife of the Senate President, Toyin Saraki, Honorable Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed. Others include Managing Director of Access bank, Mr. Herbert Wigwe; Chairman of Stanbic IBTC, Mr. Atedo Peterside and his beautiful wife; Managing Director of Standard Chartered Bank, Mrs. Bola Adesola, among others. Now available to watch in every cinema across Nigeria, FIFTY continues to enjoy the patronage of dignitaries, luminaries and notable personalities who have gone to watch the movie in cinemas. Such include Nobel Laureate Professor Wole Soyinka, music mogul and R&B top enchilada Banky W, Pop, R&B and Hip hop soul diva Waje, the highly respected and amiable General Overseer of Guiding Light Assembly, Pastor Wale Adefarasin, among others. Here is what people are saying about their experience after watching FIFTY:
“In the first instance, the premiere of the movie was unparalleled in Nigeria’s history. It attracted the creme de la creme of the society, all of whom were treated to a first-rate pre-show dinner that set the stage for the main act. The movie itself is a bold move that reflects life in its true sense. The characters in the award winning movie were all flawed, but we love them all. We have no choice. We are all flawed. I’ll recommend the film any day and I am ready to watch it ten times!”– Hon. Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed. “FIFTY has brought the pride back in me, the pride of being a Nigerian! And that’s saying it the way it is!”-Tunde Fagbenle, Punch Newspaper “Nigerians can look forward to a big treat when FIFTY hits the cinemas nationwide from December 18, 2015.
Kudos to my sister Mo Abudu and the entire cast and crew of FIFTY.”-Tunde Kelani, Film Maker “I found the film entertaining and feel that it will be an unquestionable box office hit amongst its audience.” – Nadia Denton, Film Industry Specialist, Publicist and Author of The Nigerian Filmmaker’s Guide to Success “It was an amazing film – the music, costumes, story, the elegance with which the plot was delivered. I loved it.”-Ojoma Ochai, Director, British Council “The director, Biyi Bandele; the executive producer, Mo Abudu; and The Four Titans: Ireti Doyle, Omoni Oboli, Dakore Egbuson-Akande and Nse Ikpe Etim must be applauded for their valiant efforts in bringing a whole new level of cinematic excellence to Nollywood. It may not be Titanic or Lord of the Rings, but I didn’t see a single native doctor, and nobody ran mad.
The BFI chose well.”- VIVA NAIJA (www.viva-naija.com) “The build up of the movie is beautiful … a great source of entertainment with its brilliant cast and plot twists … the costume choices fit the style of the movie and were carefully selected to portray the image of the actors …the writer was very inventive with the plot and kept us glued to the screen … It was everything but boring and the characters were credible with their words and acting … Having seen this movie already, would I still go back to watch it again? Hell, Yes! I would, you should too.”- Crystal Clear Words (www.crystalclearwords.com) I really enjoyed it and it was great to watch it with such an enthusiastic audience. It was funny, full of melodrama and disarmingly touching and courageous at the same time – a side of Lagos you don’t often get to see and a really original film. I loved the cast and characters and it was so refreshing to see a film that gave a voice to the ‘fifty-something’ women of Nigeria. I’m sure it will be a massive hit.”- Charlotte Moore, BBC 1’s Controller For recording the highest-grossing opening weekend for any Nigerian film,FIFTY is now certified as the Number 1 Nigerian film of the year, with Box Office analysts predicting that it should end in over N100m by the end of January 2016, a conservative projection based on the traditionally slow January period.
One thing is however sure, the support FIFTY continues to garner among Nigerian audiences is amazing and highly commendable, going to show that Nigerians do support their own as FIFTY’s success has been borne out of an appreciation for the quality and relevance of the film. Now in cinemas across Nigeria, cinema goers who have yet to see the movie cannot afford to miss out on the box office phenomenon of the year! Not with the mouth-watering bonanza on the offer with every ticket purchase! With every FIFTY cinema ticket purchased, an audience has a chance to win big prizes in the “WIN BIG with FIFTY” campaign.
The star prize is a BRAND NEW Mercedes Benz B Class courtesy Skymit Motors. Other prizes include trips to Kenya, Mauritius, Seychelles, London and Dubai courtesy WAKANOW! Plus 32” flat screen TV screens courtesy KONGA, Shopping Vouchers worth N50,000 courtesy Spar Park ‘n’ Shop, and many more. That’s not all! The first 50 people to watch FIFTY for the next 50 days, since December 18, 2015, get to win a FREE MEAL at Sweet Sensation or Domino’s Pizza in the amazing offer tagged “50 prizes for 50 days”.
As the cinema release of the very much anticipated ‘Beyond Blood’ movie beckons, the star-studded cast made up of a tasteful blend of two generations of Nollywood superstar actors and actresses like Carol King, Shan George, Segun Arinze, Bimbo Manuel, Francis Nwochei, Deyemi Okanlawon, Kehinde Bankole, Joseph Benjamin, Okey Uzoeshi, Wole Ojo, Ijeoma Grace Agu, Uzor Osimkpa, Ifeanyi Kalu and Marion Bott etc. invite you to the cinemas everyday from January 15, 2016.
On Thursday, January 14, 2016, Nollywood came to a standstill as the much awaited ‘Beyond Blood’ Film was aired for the very first time at the exclusive premiere which held in Silverbird Galleria, Victoria Island. The event which had various celebrities in attendance heralded the cinema release which starts off on Friday, January 15, 2016.
People who were at the premiere had a joint opinion – ‘Nigerian cinema has seen none like this yet’. You are therefore enjoined to storm all cinemas around you this weekend to be one of the first people to partake in this blockbuster as the cast tour all the cinemas in Lagos this weekend, and subsequently, other states in Nigeria.
See who and who stunned on the green carpet yesterday here
Carol King – Actor (Cast)bigLITTLE performingbigLITTLE performing(2)bigLITTLE during an interviewAdunni AdeOkey Uzoeshi – Actor (Cast Beyond Blood)Oyinda (DJ Jimmy Jatt’s Daughter)Wole Ojo _ Adunni AdeWole OjoYemi SodimuKehinde Bankole – Lead Actor Of Beyond BloodL-R Greg Odutayo, Debbie Odutayo, Mr _ Mrs Fahm, Carol King, Deyemi OkanlawonMagik From HF Music (Producer Of Beyond Blood Music)Mr. Bidemi Fahm (CEO HF Media _ Executive Producer of Beyond Blood) _ His beautiful WifeMr. Toyin Bada _ Mrs. Bisi KuforijiJoseph Benjamin, DJ Jimmy Jatt _ his daughter, Oyinda Wole OjoJoseph Benjamin – Actor
Wyll Diamond
Ijeoma Grace Agu – Actor (Cast Of Beyond Blood)HannahGreg Odutayo (Director Of Beyond Blood) _ Debbie Odutayo (Producer Of Beyond Blood)
In just one week, Beyond Blood has broken records by continuously selling out in different cinemas across Nigeria. Casts of the movie are not relying on this great feat as they are also touring cinemas alongside other Nollywood stars.
If you still haven’t watched Beyond Blood, you are forgiven. Beyond Blood is still showing in cinemas in these locations – Lagos, Port Harcourt, Enugu, Uyo, Abuja, Calabar, Benin, Warri, Ilorin & Kano.
Jonas Carpignano’s Mediterranea confirms the saying that there is no place like home. It is a reminder to all corrupt governments the world over to the ills they expose their compatriots when they stockpile their nations’ commonwealth for themselves and their cronies alone. Agitators and rebel leaders, if they could catch a glimpse of Mediterranea, may, perhaps, understand that converting citizens to refugees through violent conflicts barely serves their interests, whatever those may be.
Ayiva (Koudous Seihon) and Abas (Alassane Sy) set out from their native Burkina Faso, travelling through the Mediterranean Sea on their way to Europe in search of the proverbial Golden Fleece. Travelling through Algeria and Libya before arriving Italy, they face harrowing experiences at sea, barely living through the situation. They are jolted when they reach Europe and discover that the grass is not greener on the other side.
The story creates a lot of expectations at the onset, but the plot drags for an unreasonably long time, failing to meet some of the hopes it builds in the viewer’s mind. The filmsomewhat seems like a documentary that seeks to expose the vagaries of sea voyage more than anything else.
The film could have been better paced, thereby keeping the viewer in suspense, but Caprignano dispenses with brevity and makes his audience almost lose interest in the story save for those desirous to discover what really becomes of Ayiva and Abas. Up until the end of the film, Abas’s character hardly undergoes any sort of development; he just looks like someone mandated to escort Ayiva on Ayiva’s journey.
If the film’s plot was taut with Abas’s character better developed, the film would have been a lot more interesting. Be that as it may, the numbing violence and intolerance depicted in Mediterranea acquaints the viewer with the kind of uncertainty that migrants face as they try to escape difficult situations at home.
360NoBS writer, Tomi Adesina writes a compelling story in The Other Me on an autistic young man, Olamide and his condition which turns even the simplest events into nightmares.
In this story, Olamide, prepares for the biggest day of his life; a date with the love of his life, Sharon. Due to his condition, what seemingly should be his most exciting day becomes a nightmare.
Written and directed by Tomi Adesina, The Other Me is a compelling short film on Autism which raises awareness on the condition and speaks against discriminating people living with it. It was produced by Tomi Adesina and Michael Tayo Babalola’s BlueHouse Films in association with Omobolaji Opakunbi’s Phalanx Pictures.
The film stars are Taiwo Adeboboye and Adebukola Oladipupo, among others. As yesterday, April 2nd marked World Autism Day, BlueHouse Films and Phalanx Pictures contribute to the awareness effort on Autism.
The date for the official release of the short film is yet to be announced. Watch a preview below;
For sponsorship; please contact: 08139263829 or 08039446273
In the build up to the Dubai Tourism Grand Premiere of ‘The Wedding Party’ holding on Saturday the 26th at the Eko Hotel and Suites, cast of the movie were on Wednesday at the Cool FM and Inspiration FM studios to talk about the movie, their roles, the upcoming premiere and the cinema release of the movie.
In a live Chat with Manny and The Angels at the Cool FM studio in Victoria Island, Adesua Etomi and Somkele Iyamah who play the bride and maid of honor respectively described their experiences in the build up to the movie and what life was like on the set of the movie. They also recounted their Toronto experience, where The Wedding Party was the opening movie at a sold-out screening during the Toronto Film Festival and received a lot of rave reviews from the audience.
While responding to questions from Gloria Maduka at the Inspiration FM studio, Beverly Naya, who plays the role of Dozie’s (Banky W) ex-girlfriend and Somkele Iyamah, explained how easy it was working alongside Banky W and other cast members of the movie. They recalled their experiences on set and at Toronto especially the audience reactions at the premiere in Toronto. They also talked about what to expect from them on the red carpet.
The Wedding Party will be in cinemas all across Nigeria from the 16th of December, 2016. For more information, like the official Facebook page, www.facebook.com/TheWeddingPartyMovie and to be part of the Twitter/Instagram conversation, follow us @TWPMovie and #WeddingPartyMovie
Adesua Etomi
Beverly NayaSomkele Iyama, Gloria Maduka of Inspiration FM and Beverly NayaSomkele Iyamah
In the afterglow of its Dubai Tourism Grand Premiere and continuing its trailblazing feats, The Wedding Party will have advance screenings in select cinemas across Nigeria.
The decision by the Executive Producers was taken as a result of the numerous requests from cinema houses around the country triggered by the fever-pitch anticipation of cinema-goers. The screenings taking place on the 14th and 15th of December will give early-adopters a chance to see the movie prior to its theatrical release.
Tickets for the advance screening are available at all FilmHouse, Viva, Ozone and Genesis Deluxe Cinemas where you get the opportunity of a life time to view the most anticipated movie of the year before everyone else. That’s not all; The A-list cast of Banky W, Adesua Etomi, Sola Sobowale, RMD, Ireti Doyle, Ikechukwu, Beverly Naya, Frank Donga and Somkele Iyamah will be your hosts for the day and might just be your sitting partner in the cinema hall!
Set in Lagos, Nigeria, The Wedding Party is the story of Dunni Coker (Adesua Etomi), a 24 year old art gallery owner and only daughter of her parents about to marry the love of her life, IT entrepreneur Dozie (Banky W). Directed by Kemi Adetiba and written by Tosin Otudeko and Kemi Adetiba, the movie promises to take guests on a journey to… We’ll just let you watch the movie so you know where The Wedding Party will take you to. One thing is sure; ‘The Wedding Party’ is the holiday box-office hit of 2016 and will break box office records.
Check your nearest cinema for more information on viewing times. You can also visit www.theweddingpartymovies.com, like the official Facebook page www.facebook.com/TheWeddingPartyMovie and be part of the Twitter/Instagram conversation by following us @TWPMovie and #WeddingPartymovie
Today, Wednesday the 4th of January is slated for the release of Nigerian epic love story, King Invincible starring Tope Tedela, Omowumi Dada, Gabriel Afolayan and more, at the Film House IMAX Cinema in Lekki, Lagos.
King Invincible is directed by Femi Adisa, and tells the story of a warlord plagued with the “curse of the dogs” which follows the hunt for a cure. Themes of betrayal, love and revenge manifest in the folklore presentation of Native Nigeria.
Watch the trailer below and get a taste of the glorious thrills to come as the movie premieres.
Venue: Film House IMAX Cinema, The Rock Drive, Off Bisola Durosinmi-Etti Drive, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos.
