Producers of historical Nollywood film “Properties of the Gods,” have announced that the movie’s theatrical release date would be to honour deceased actors who contributed to the project, including late Nigerian music legend Onyeka Onwenu.
According to the film’s producer, Joseph Okechukwu, the project will be dedicated to Onwenu, with Sept. 4, the movie’s scheduled release date, designated as “Onyeka Onwenu Day”.
He said series of activities, including visits to traditional rulers in the Southeast and condolence visits to the families of the deceased artistes, have been scheduled.
He added a night of tributes in honour of the late Onwenu would be held on Sept 3.
The producer of the film, which addresses the age-long Osu caste system in Igbo society, had earlier announced the suspension of its scheduled premiere.
Okechukwu said the decision was informed by the deaths of two artistes who featured in the film.
He said it would be inappropriate to organise an elaborate premiere while some members of the cast and their families were grieving.
“Two artists who featured in this movie are dead,” he said, referring to late singer and actress Onyeka Onwenu and actress Cynthia Okereke.
He said the money budgeted for the premiere would instead be used for condolence visits to the families of the deceased artists.
“We will then visit the family of Cynthia Okereke in Enugu, then sum it up with having a very fantastic condolence visit paid to Onyeka Onwenu’s family.
“I am dedicating the release of this movie in the theatres to Onyeka Onwenu,” he said.
Okechukwu said “The Properties of the Gods” was inspired by his longstanding campaign against the Osu caste system in Igboland, which he described as a divisive practice that has subjected generations of people to discrimination and stigma.
He said the movie was conceived as another avenue to deepen the conversation and encourage cultural change.
“This movie does not answer all the questions that arise from the Osu caste system; it only forms a part of the conversation. It’s an ongoing conversation,” he said.
He expressed optimism that the film would contribute to changing perceptions, stressing that cultural practices rooted in fear and long-held beliefs could not be eliminated overnight.
The star-studded movie is directed by Uzodinma Okpechi and Okey Oku, featuring seasoned Nollywood stars, including Pete Edochie, Joseph Okechukwu, Enyinna Nwigwe, Maria Benjamin, and Zack Orji.
Other cast members include Hilda Dokubo, Elvina Ibru, Linc Edochie, Jennifer Eliogu, Obi Okoli, Ofia Mbaka, and the late Onyeka Onwenu in one of her final screen performances.
