Popular Nollywood actress and filmmaker Ini Edo has shared an emotional video on her official Instagram page, pleading for her film to be allowed to air in cinemas.
Edo appealed to the public and movie regulators amid rising concerns over her new movie titled ‘A Very Dirty Christmas,’ which is set to hit the cinemas, expressing that the film does not ridicule Christianity and urging critics to watch before judging.
“Just don’t pull my film, please. Just allow people to watch. Watch the film and come back and say that this film degrades Christians or degrades Christianity. Then I will pull it. She said.
“If it dishonours God or Christians in any way, I will pull it and bear the consequences. I will not be part of something like that,” she said.
“We chose ‘A Very Dirty Christmas.’ It was never to demean Christians or disrespect Christendom or dishonour God.
“This film has no dirt in it. It highlights family conflicts, secrets unfolding. It does not ridicule Christians,” added.
The actress said the movie had only recently been released in cinemas nationwide and lamented that withdrawing it would have serious financial consequences.
“I did take money from investors to do this film. We have over about 70 cinemas nationwide. We’ve done print, media and digital. I don’t know how we are going to do it,” she said.
Edo also confirmed that she had been asked to change the title of the film and expressed willingness to comply, while still appealing that it should not be pulled from cinemas.
“They’ve asked us to change the title, or they’re going to pull the films from the cinemas. How do I change the name, the title? Christians are not the people I want a problem with because I’m one. I will try to change the title. Just give us some time. Don’t pull the film,” she said.
The actress apologised to anyone offended by the title, insisting there was no malicious intent, saying “‘A Very Dirty Christmas’ wasn’t meant to discredit Christians or Christianity. If it is really hurting anyone, I want to say I’m sorry. That was not the intention.”
Recall that the Christian Association of Nigeria had earlier raised concerns over the title of the film, urging the movie regulators to take serious action on the project.
Reacting to the controversy, the National Film and Video Censors Board, while acknowledging public concerns, ordered the producer to modify the title of the movie.
“However, the Board recognises that public perception and reception are critical elements of effective regulation.
“In light of the concerns raised by CAN, and in the spirit of responsiveness and dialogue, we have requested the producer to modify the title,” the NFVCB said.
The board added that it remained guided by the provisions of the National Film and Video Censors Board Act, including Section 39(1), which empowers the Film Censorship Committee to withdraw a film from exhibition for further review if deemed necessary in the public interest.
Read Also: Actress Ini Edo Defends ‘A Very Dirty Christmas’ Title Amid CAN Backlash
Edo, however, maintained that she would never intentionally offend her faith, describing herself as a devout Christian.
“I am a Christian. Christians are not the people I want a problem with because I’m one. I would never sit in a gathering where Christians are ridiculed,” she said.
She said all regulatory requirements were fully complied with before the film’s release, including approvals from the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) and the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC).
Source: TVC
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