A Different Kind of Movie
A look at the premiere of Kingsley Ogoro’s latest movie, Widow, indicates that the culture of cinema may have begun to take from roots
By Osamudiamen Ogbonmwan
It was a surfeit of emotional outpouring late last month at the newest entertainment outfit in Lagos, Planet 1 Entertainment, Maryland, when Kingsley Ogoro, producer of the award winning movie Osuofia in London and many other successful flicks, premiered his latest movie which had in attendance an impressive turn-out.
The premiere of the movie titled Widow had in attendance the wife of the Lagos State governor, Oluremi Tinubu, Senator Stella Omu and the Director General of the Nigerian Film and Video Censors Board, Emeka Mba. The massive publicity earlier embarked upon by the organisers saw a huge crowd at the event’s venue, which also attracted a galaxy of Nigerian actors and actresses. The Source observed a red-carpet reception for the VIP guests with an array of “paparazzi” that gave the event a unique air of novelty.
Inside the 2,000-capacity hall where guests were treated to poporn and a bottle of water, star comedian, Bright Okpocha a.k.a Basket Mouth mounted the podium and thrilled the audience with his rib-cracking jokes.
The almost 90-minute movie brought tears to the eyes of many in the audience especially the female-folk, who saw in the movie, the moving tale of how widows suffer in the hands of relatives under the guise of upholding a primitive tradition which has kept them captives for centuries.
The Source gathered from Ogoro that the movie was intended to draw attention to the plight of widows in the society. Ogoro: “Widows suffer unduly. They are made to pass through barbaric traditions which are enforced on them unjustly. Sometimes, these women are accused for causing the death of their husbands and are often made to drink or do all sorts of ungodly things. Really, it is sad. We should change from these ways, that is why I decided to bring their plight into the limelight.”
Stella Damasus-Aboderin, a real-life widow, having lost her husband, Jaiye Aboderin, about 18 months ago played the lead role in the movie. The character was that of a woman who lost her husband to death and was made by her in-laws to undergo some traditional processes said to be the burial rites of her late husband whom she was also accused of killing.
Speaking further on reasons why he decided to feature a real life widow, Ogoro said, “Stella was only widowed a few months after we shot the movie. I decided to use her because she has a first-hand experience or knowledge of what the movie is all about.”
Also featured in the movie are Yemi Sholade, Peter Bunor, Segun Arinze and Obiageli Molube.
The Source learnt from the organisers that Tinubu’s presence at the premiere was meant to give added boost to the fight against customs and traditions that runs counter to the love and warmth which Africa’s extended family system is supposed to guarantee.
The movie, Ogoro said, will not be put on home video or expected to be sold in the open market just yet. A part of the proceeds would be given to an organisation dedicated to widow’s rights.
For entertainment, Sunny Nneji, Sammie Okposo, Stylplus and Mike Aremu all performed in what turned out to be a night of thrilling drama, so much so that hopefully the cinema-going culture might be on its way back.
Ogoro, in fact, told The Source that he hopes that other cinema houses in Lagos will screen the movie so as to give Nigerians a chance to see the emotion-wrenching movie designed to draw attention to the plight of widows in the society.