Nollywood actress and producer, Ini Edo has urged regulators and the public not to blacklist her new film, ‘A Very Dirty December’.
She made the appeal amid the controversy generated by the movie title, which the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and some Nigerians deemed disrespectful to the Christian faith.
In a video shared on Instagram on Sunday night, she pleaded with the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) not to pull the movie from cinemas as doing so could cause her significant financial strain.
She also urged the public to keep an open mind, emphasising that the project did not ridiculous Christianity as speculated.
”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.
“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,” the actress said.
She maintained that the title of the movie did not ridicule Christian beliefs or practices.
The filmmaker 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.”
Ini Edo emphasised that the movie was shot with investor funds and pulling it from cinemas would cause serious financial damage to her.
“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.
Ini Edo noted that she has been advised to change the name of the movie and she would gladly comply as long as the movie is not 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.
Daily Sun recalls that the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) raised serious concerns about the movie in a statement dated December 16.
CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh said the movie title denigrated the Christian faith and urged regulators to wade in.
Reacting, industry regulator, National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) said it had directed the producer of the movie to change the title, just as it acknowledged public concerns.
Responding, Ini Edo apologised for the inconveniences caused by the movie title, insisting that she would not deliberately demean Christianity being a 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.
