IF there is any actor who is missing in action in mainstream Nollywood, it should be Larry Koldsweat. There was a time Uncle Larry, as younger colleagues call him, was one of the most sought-after faces in Nollywood. It is therefore amazing that the veteran actor and musician has taken the backseat in the movies. Here is one actor that was the producer’s favourite in the ‘90s and even up to the early 2000s. He is the one who is always good enough to play the uncle, the daddy, the devious character or the village chief.  Check him out in movies such as ‘The Soul That Sinneth’, ‘Otondo’, ‘Fated’ and ‘Lost Kingdom’ and you won’t miss the bearded, well-built actor who once played music with the Nigerian Army band.  But that was back then, as Larry has not done any substantial work in recent time. Those who have been following his career say he may have decided to devote more time to his new calling as an evangelist. A close source revealed that the star actor of critically-acclaimed movies such as ‘Rain Makers’, ‘Chest to Chest’, ‘Tears in My Eyes’, ‘The Super Star’ and ‘100 Days in the Jungle’ currently ‘’ministers more at church events and so has little time for acting.’’ However, the source was quick to clarify that the bearded actor still finds time to do some acting. ‘’It is not to say that he has quit acting. Uncle still acts but he spends more time travelling as an evangelist and to honour invitations to minister at churches and Christian events,’’ the source disclosed about the actor who played music professionally for 28 years with the likes of Felix Odey aka Feladey and had a stint with Rank Xerox before venturing into Nollywood. 

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REVIEW

Title- Hidden Truth   

Producer- Obi Cajetan and Sunday Ekegbo

Director- Reginald Ebere and Ernest Obi

Actors- Joke Silva, Liz Benson, Chinyere Wilfred, Ameachi Muanagor and others

SISTER Theresa (Liz Benson) picks up an abandoned child and facilitates her admission into the Holy Child orphanage. In no time, Sister Theresa became so attached to Ave Maria (as the child was later christened). Her superiors led by the tough-talking Mother Superior (Joke Silva) frown at that. But hard as she tried, Mother Superior couldn’t get Sister Theresa off the back of Ave Maria. Way down into the movie, Ave becomes fully grown up. The Odunzes find her adoptable. She moves out of the orphanage and expectedly things begin to play out fast for her. She gets a job and a suitor is on the line. The movie ends at the point one of her suitors Mike, played by Emeka Enyiocha, heads to the village to talk his kinsmen into accepting the fact that he has found love.  There is a sequel. Watch out for one Stan K Nnadi whose actions in the first part were over exaggerated. 

This is engaging. It resembles a spinning top. It may not be a masterpiece but it would sure set off discussion about love, tradition and relationships. There was an attempt here to provide complexities and a twist of fate, but the movie is marred by its premise and the fact that it’s too overdrawn. So much time was spent reprimanding a heady Sister Theresa and on travels, to the village to argue out a non-issue like what tradition says about a man who wants an orphan as wife.

But the directors did a good job for managing the movie’s flow. Though blessed with a solid cast, Ebere and Obi proved that they were in full control and that they possessed some real elbow grease, which got each of the lead actors to pull off something substantial. Their effort, working up the cast to let out something affecting showed on the two kid actresses. Step aside Sharon Ezeamaka of the Little Angel fame; here are two new entrants Chelsea Gabriel, who played Ave Junior ,and Chinelo Amiobi, who played Cynthia Junior. Their brilliant showing here should earn them some more roles.

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Filmdom Notice Board 

Eyimofe’ in cinema from April 23

AFTER a successful Nigerian premiere of their debut movie ‘Eyimofe’ (This is My Desire)on April 18 in Lagos, the GDN Studios, part of The Guardian Group has announced that the award-winning film will open in cinemas across the country from April 23. Produced in partnership with Kimiera and Ominira Studios, the movie had its world premiere at the 70th Berlin International Film Festival in February 2020 and premiered at the BFI London Film Festival on October 11, 2020. It also had its U.S premiere at the AFI Fest on October 20 and in Torino and Vancouver in November 2020 and October 2020 respectively. 

Directed by twin brothers Arie and Chuko Esiri, the 114 minutes film features Jude Akuwudike, Temi Ami-Williams, Kemi Lala-Akindoju, Ejike Asiegbu, Sadiq Daba, Cynthia Ebijie, Tomiwa Edun, Jacobs Alexander, Chioma ‘Chigul’ Omeruah and others. The movie has garnered several festival awards including award for best fiction and New Filmmakers at the Sao Paulo International Film Festival in Brazil and the Achille Valdata award at the Torino Film Festival in Italy. Shot on 16mm and filmed across 48 locations in Lagos, the two-chapter drama follows the stories of Mofe (Jude Akuwudike), a factory technician, and Rosa (Temi Ami-Williams), a hairdresser, on their quest for what they believe will be a better life on foreign shores. A passport, photos and a visa form recurring elements in the movie that raises issues about human condition. 

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Kunle Afolayan back from Cape Verde as ‘Citation’ tour continues  

FILMMAKER Kunle Afolayan is back from Cape Verde after he led some selected cast and crew-members of his latest movie, ‘Citation’, on a special two-nations screening tour. The screening held at Mindelo in Cape Verde was hosted by the ADS Group. Afolayan, who had earlier led the crew to a special screening of the movie in Senegal, hinted that the events leading up to the special screening was a combination of refreshing vibes and “wind in the hair moments.” He said ‘’first, we were given a tour of the island after which a boat cruise where Jimmy and Temi treated us to a swimming contest in the sea. Once this “mini vacation” was over, we had a special lunch at Casamarel before the screening of Citation’’. The filmmaker also disclosed that the special screening was attended by different Cape Verdeans. ‘’And just like the screening at Dakar, the Cape Verdeans spoke highly about Africa, the collaboration potential and possibilities among the African countries as well as the message in the 50mins Citation extract that was screened,’’ he said, adding that the crew last night in Cape Verde was at a dinner in Praia hosted by the founder/chairman of ADS Group, Mr Samba Bathily. ‘’This entire experience has been exhilarating, and it is our dream that every change maker will keep striving to bridge the gap by changing the African narrative across borders,’’ enthused the director of hit flicks such as October 1 and Phone Swap.

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Filmdom WORD BITES: 

‘’WITH talent, fortitude, and extraordinary resilience, Nigerian filmmakers built a globally competitive entertainment industry in spite of the challenges and constraints in the nation’s environment. With adequate investment, a supportive regulatory environment, better training and capacity development, Nollywood will grow beyond our present dream and surpass our highest ambitions. It falls on all of us in government, the private sector and across the society to identify ways we can help the industry reach the heights and we all know is possible.’’

– Speaker of House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila at a two-day leadership masterclass training for Nollywood Actors organised by the House Minority Leader, Ndudi Elumelu, on Friday in Abuja.

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“I HAVE no regrets. It has been a rewarding experience. It has not made me a billionaire but I am contented and happy. At least, it has helped to open several doors for me and there are still more doors to be opened as long as there is life. So, I am fulfilled. No regrets. Though there are still rough edges with our industry that needs to be addressed like piracy, I am convinced that things will get better for our industry as we progress. Oh, no…There is no retirement for me. There is even no retirement in acting. This is all I signed to do and this is all I will continue doing as along as I live.”

• Veteran Actor Dele Odule.  

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Star Fad & Hobbies

The Actor Segun Arinze –

“My first day on stage was on the set of ‘Transistor Radio’. We had about 11 people in the hall to watch the play. It was funny. When I was getting ready to go professional, I took part in Femi Osofisan’s ‘Once Upon Four Robbers’. As for nervousness, I think I was nervous on my first climb on any movie set. But as soon as camera rolled, I just relaxed into it. As for likes, I like traveling a lot. I can hit the road or jet out of the country at the slightest opportunity. I like to also rest when I can afford one and I like also to listen to music a lot. Lately I have been listening to all sorts. I use to only enjoy slows. And as for food, I love to eat amala, gbegiri and ewedu.’’

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The Actress Stella Damasus-

“I get my inspiration from God. God alone. Sometimes I get a role and I don’t know how to go about it, but it just comes on the dice and that’s just it. So, it’s Him (stretches a finger above her head)’’

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MILE STONES AND ROUGH CUTS

 #DEAR AFFY is on Netflix from May 11 –

ONE of Nollywood’s highest grossing movies of 2020, Dear Affy by 007 Global will finally be coming to Netflix on the May 11. The romantic comedy tells the story of an organised ardent female art enthusiast who is about to marry a man of her dreams then faces sudden obstacles and challenges after becoming pregnant accidentally even before her marriage. This spoiled her well-prepared plans and strategies and she embarked on a challenging mission in search of the father of the unborn baby. Directed by award-winning director, Samuel ‘Bigsam’ Olatunji, the movie features top Nollywood stars such as Toyin Abraham, Kehinde Bankole, Williams Uchemba, Timini Egbuson, Enyinna Nwigwe, Bimbo Ademoye, Odunlade Adekola, Uzor Arukwe, Faithia Williams, Bianca Ugowanne, Seilat Adebowale, Ali Nuhu, Uzee Usman and others. Speaking on the film, the Director, Olatunji says: “I have waited pretty long for this news because sadly the Coronavirus outbreak deterred our impressive cinema run which drastically reduced the chances of people that got to see the movie but finally, I feel more people will get to see the beautiful piece of work we put together with Netflix accepting it.  So, for the people who didn’t get to see the movie, this is your chance to see it and for the people who only got to see it once, you all should get ready as it will be released on Netflix on the 11th of May 2021. Make sure you watch and enjoy but most importantly, look out for 007 Global films because we have some beautiful movies still coming to the cinemas soon and most definitely Netflix. Don’t forget to stay safe and protect yourself as the world continues to battle the pandemic.” 

Dear Affy had grossed about N40 million in just two weeks of release before the coronavirus pandemic disturbed its run.

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#CALL FOR ENTRIES FOR ABUJA FILM FEST 2021: The management of Nigeria’s longest running independent film festival, the Abuja International Film Festival (AIFF) has announced call for entries for the 18th edition of the festival scheduled to hold in Abuja from November 1 through November 4, 2021. Founder and Executive Director of the festival Fidelis Duker disclosed that entries opened since April 1 and would remain open until August 20.  Films in all genres are to submit through the festival filmfreeway link: www.filmfreeway.com/AbujaInternationalFilmFestival.

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#…….ZUMA 2021 CALLS: The Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC) has announced the call for entries for the 2021 edition of the Zuma International Film Festival. This edition, which is the 12^th edition, is scheduled to hold December 1 to 7. A statement signed by Head of Public Affairs of the NFC, Brian Etuk indicated that submission of entries opened on April 2 and will be open until October 30. ‘’Submission of entries is open to interested filmmakers from Nigeria and around the world. Entries can be submitted through the Zuma filmfreeway platform or to the Zuma Film Festival Secretariat in Jos, Plateau State as well as the NFC Zonal Offices in Lagos, Asaba, Umahia, Yola, Kano and Abuja. Entry forms can also be downloaded from the festival and NFC websites www.zumafilmfest.gov.ng,www.nigerianfilms.gov.ng’’. The ZUFF features film screening, workshops and panel discussions and its award categories include Best Cinematography, Best Script, Best Animation, Best Actress, Best Actor, Best Documentary, Best Foreign Film, Best Student Film, Best Picture and Best Indigenous Film.