The Nation Newspaper

Tag: The wedding party

  • Chief Daddy premieres Sunday in Lagos

    Following the wild success of its previous movies, Fifty, The Wedding Party and its sequel The Wedding Party 2, EbonyLife Films will be holding a grand premiere for its latest movie, Chief Daddy. The long-awaited premiere will take place this Sunday, December 2nd, at the Oriental Hotel, Lagos.

    Already garnering major buzz on the internet, the premiere is expected to be the most talked-about movie event of the year. It boasts a long guest list of dignitaries, business heavyweights, socialites and celebrities, and is already sold out. Particularly contributing to its grandeur, is the dress code and theme of the premiere, ‘Opulently Nigerian – Be Extra’, which celebrates the richness and extravagance of Nigerian fashion culture.

    In contrast to the premiere of The Wedding Party 2, which was inspired by the movie’s glamorous locations in Dubai, the Chief Daddy premiere will portray all things Nigerian; from the décor to the food, the variety of activities and entertainment will fully embrace the country’s various cultures.

    Looking forward to the event, executive producer Mo Abudu said, “We are delighted to finally premiere this film. It’s been a long time coming and we can’t wait for our guests to experience this fun-packed movie. This premiere will be Nigerian-centric, showcasing and appreciating the sophistication and glamour embedded within our culture. We want to create a unique experience.”

    At the event, which is sponsored by Keystone Bank, Dubai Tourism, Airtel, Johnnie Walker, Bollinger and Luminous, guests will be serenaded with music from Shuga Band and a special live performance from the breakout star of the movie, Folarin ‘Falz’ Falana. Following the reception, an after-party will be held at the same venue, where guests can unwind to music from DJ Crowd Controller.

    Chief Daddy will be out in cinemas from December 14th and fans can also look forward to the official music video for the movie’s theme song, ’The Famzy Anthem (Moving Mad)’, which will debut on the same day.

  • Veteran actress Patience Ozokwo welcomes 16th grandchild

    Veteran Nollywood actress, Patience Ozokwo, popularly known as ‘Mama Gee’ welcomed her 16th grandchild on Wednesday.

    Ozokwo shared the news on her Instagram page @patienceozokwo, writing, “Come and join me sing hallelujah, Jehovah Jireh has done me well o!

    “My 16th grandchild came in style. Thank you God for adding more sparkle to my life, I am truly blessed of the Lord.

    “Welcome grandson, welcome to the Ozokwo clan. You are loved unconditionally,” she wrote.

    Ozokwo, who got married at the age of 19, regularly flaunts her family, especially her daughters and numerous grandchildren.

    The entrepreneur, singer and former broadcaster came into limelight in 1999 with the movie ‘Authority’.

    She achieved wide acclaim and criticism for her mostly stereotypical ‘bad woman’ roles.

    However, Ozokwo is credited to have played the role of mother to the largest percentage of Nollywood actors.

    In January 2016, Patience Ozokwo gave her life to Christ and ever since, the actress has dumped her stage name and other unrighteous lifestyles.

    However, she made a recent comeback into the industry in 2017 and notably starred in ‘The Wedding Party: Destination Dubai’.

    NAN

  • Producers of ‘The Wedding Party’ may have lost over $1million, says analyst 

    Producers of ‘The Wedding Party’ may have lost over $1million, says analyst 

    Film industry analyst and publisher of Nollywood Mirror Series, Mr. Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima, has alluded that the highest grossing Nollywood Box Office movie, “The Wedding Party” may have lost more than US$1million to illegal online streamers.

    Ekenyerengozi averred that the said amount is what the producers of the movie “would have made if they also premiered the highly entertaining romantic comedy on the internet before the ‘faster and smarter’ movie pirates did so.”

    I have recommended that Nollywood filmmakers can release their movies simultaneously; same time at the cinemas and online. Which Mrs. Wangi Mba-Uzoukwu, the Regional Director of M-Net, West Africa also proposed at Tech- Plus 2015,” he said.

    According to film enthusiast, “producers can premiere and screen their movies simultaneously on iROKO TV, Linda Ikeji TV, Bella Naija and Naij TV for Pay Per View at N200 or US$1per view,” adding that “with more than 125 million Nigerians in Nigeria and abroad watching videos online, “The Wedding Party” would have attracted many of them to watch it on OTT platforms streaming videos.”

    He opined that online streaming is what has made the Co-founder/CEO of iROKO TV the richest man in Nollywood (until my Screen Naija YouTube goes commercial).

    “The producers of the part two of “The Wedding Party” will thank me later when they smile to the bank with a bullion van carrying their millions of dollars,” he quipped.

     

  • It’s Official: Singer Banky W proposes to Adesua Etomi

    It’s Official: Singer Banky W proposes to Adesua Etomi

    Nigerian singer, rapper and actor Banky W has officially proposed to his girlfriend Actress Adesua Etomi.

    Adesua and Banky W have acted as lovers in a music video and the blockbuster movie, The Wedding Party and now it is for real.

    Banky took to his twitter and Instagram handle to officially announce his proposal to Adesua and talked about how they created chemistry in the movie, “The Wedding Party”.

    “We didn’t know the chemistry lasted into reality.’’

    Earlier this morning, Adesua confirmed the proposal with the following text  on her official instagram page today @AdesuaEtomi

     

    “I went to an event in 2015 and I suppose that was the beginning of something amazing because once banky saw me, he decided that he was going to be my biggest fan.
    He slid into my DM and sent the funniest message and that was how we became friends. At the time, I wasn’t interested in anything but a friendship and he was very respectful of that and so we stayed just friends for about a year and a half.
    Our friendship opened my eyes to a lot of things. Opened my eyes to the type of man Olubankole is and WHAT A MAN. WHAT A MIGHTY GOOD MAN.
    Olubankole, Your Heart is pure and good, to the very core. You are proof that God is real, you are proof that what’s on the inside is greater and so much more powerful than what we see on the outside and you are the evidence of what I hoped for. I bless God for entrusting my heart in your hands because I know it’s safe. You are everything i prayed for and so much more.
    Thank you for praying with me, fasting with me, always making time for me, laughing with me, and caring more about me than yourself. Thank you for being kind, loving and full of Integrity.
    And i’d like to say one more thing. I’m SO SORRY that it took me sooo long to realise that it was you. It has always been you. It couldn’t have been anyone else.
    In February 2017, you said you couldn’t be without me and asked me to be your wife and I said YES cause I can’t be without you.
    It will be an absolute pleasure and one of the greatest blessings of my life to walk the path of life with you.
    Thank you for being who you are.
    My goodluck charm, my King, my lover, my bestfriend.
    I love you till eternity and beyond.
    No, This Is not a movie.
    Future Mrs W.”

  • ‘The Wedding Party’ celebrates milestones

    ‘The Wedding Party’ celebrates milestones

    In celebrating a successful cinema run, the cast and crew of Nollywood flick, The Wedding Party, last Sunday held a wedding-themed costume party at the Sky Lounge, Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos.

    The party, which doubled as a ‘record-breaking’ celebration, began on the red carpet where the glamorously dressed guests posed for photos. They were then ushered into the Love Lounge, welcomed by a choice of canapés and signature cocktails.

    Guests were later directed to the rooftop terrace with its stunning view of the Lagos skyline and lagoon for the highlight of the evening – the official announcement of total box office takings now in excess of N450 million.

    Following its theatrical release in December 2016, The Wedding Party racked up N203 million in just two weeks topping the 2016 Nigerian Box Office and becoming the highest-grossing Nollywood film ever.

    Executive Producer of the flick, Mo Abudu states; “We set out, quite deliberately, to make a high-quality film that any Nigerian would be proud of and could relate with. ‘The Wedding Party’ has shown that the best Nollywood movies can beat the Hollywood blockbusters in their home territory. For the first time, Nollywood is competing with Hollywood at the Box office and winning…”

    To toast the announcement, a 4-tiered cake was cut by the ‘celebrants’ while bonuses were presented by the Elfike Collective to its hardworking cast and crew including Director, Kemi Adetiba.

    Set in Lagos, Nigeria, The Wedding Party is the story of Dunni Coker (Adesua Etomi), a 24 year old art gallery owner and only daughter of her parents about to marry the love of her life, IT entrepreneur Dozie (Banky W).

  • ‘THE WEDDING PARTY’ SHINES IN CINEMAS

    THE Wedding Party, a production of Elfike Collective, according information, grossed N36m in its opening weekend in cinemas across Nigeria.

    Speaking about the achievement, Executive Producer & C.O.O FilmOne Distribution, Moses Babatope said “The Wedding Party is tracking to surpass all Box Office records ahead of the Christmas and New Year’s Holiday Season.”

    The Wedding Party is an Elfike Film Collective production – a first of its kind initiative designed to raise the bar in African storytelling through unrivalled technical achievement in filmmaking and creative media arts.

    The film tells the story of Dunni Coker (Adesua Etomi), a 24-year-old gallery owner and only daughter of her parents about to marry the love of her life, IT entrepreneur Dozie (Banky W) has redefined box office records in the Nigerian Film Industry.

    The romcom took off in cinemas last Wednesday and Thursday night sold-out preview screenings, information has it.

    Elfike Film Collective is a collaboration of Africa’s leading powerhouses – EbonyLife Films, FilmOne Distribution, Inkblot Productions and Koga Studios. It is the first time industry giants will partner on a film project and the impressive opening weekend grosses show that Collectives can grow and prosper the continent’s film community. The Elfike Collective has used this opportunity to thank all Nigerian moviegoers for helping to make history.

    Film stars including Banky W, Adesua Etomi, Frank Donga, and many others surprised fans over the weekend with Cinema ‘Meet & Greet’ in Malls across the country.

  • The Wedding Party shines in cinemas

    The Wedding Party, a production of Elfike Collective, according information, grossed N36m in its opening weekend in cinemas across Nigeria.

    Speaking about the achievement, Executive Producer & C.O.O FilmOne Distribution, Moses Babatope said “The Wedding Party is tracking to surpass all Box Office records ahead of the Christmas and New Year’s Holiday Season.”

    The movie is an Elfike Film Collective production – a first of its kind initiative designed to raise the bar in African storytelling through unrivalled technical achievement in filmmaking and creative media arts.

    The film tells the story of Dunni Coker (Adesua Etomi), a 24-year-old gallery owner and only daughter of her parents about to marry the love of her life, IT entrepreneur Dozie (Banky W).

    The romcom took off in cinemas last Wednesday and on Thursday night, was said to have sold-out preview screenings.

    Elfike Film Collective is a collaboration of Africa’s movie powerhouses – EbonyLife Films, FilmOne Distribution, Inkblot Productions and Koga Studios. It is the first time industry giants will partner on a film project and the impressive opening weekend grosses show that Collectives can grow and prosper the continent’s film community.

  • ELFIKE COLLECTIVE HOLDS MEDIA SCREENING FOR ‘THE WEDDING PARTY’

    AS a build up to the grand world premiere of its movie, Ebony Life TV and its partners, last Thursday held a media screening for its latest production, The Wedding Party.

    Held at FilmHouse IMAX Cinemas, Lekki, the premiere also had members of the cast and crew of the movie present.

    Introducing the cast, Executive Producer, Mo Abudu said that The Wedding Party was inspired by a movie she attended sometime last year. “I looked at all that was going on and I said to myself that a film like this had to be made. Weddings are done all over the world but there is something special about Nigerian weddings. That was the inspiration and I think it is important with this journey we have undertaken for our stories to travel,” she said.

    Reliving the character he played, singer, actor and music video director, Banky W said; “I saw a bit of myself in Dozie. So, in that perspective, it wasn’t that challenging because I could identify with him and his thought process. But looking at the other cast members, these are titans in the Nigerian movie scene. Everybody here is incredibly talented. So this was the first time in my professional career that I was the least experienced person on the project. So from that standpoint, it was challenging.”

    The Wedding Party dwells on the life of a lovelorn but modest girl, Dunni, who falls for Dozie, a notorious womanizer, and they agree to tie the knot. From family differences to the haunting past of the groom, the bride has to decide whether the journey is worth it.

    The movie stars big names in the Nigerian entertainment industry including Alibaba, Adesua Etomi, Banky W, Sola Sobowale, Ireti Doyle, Richard Mofe-Damijo and a host of others.

    Meanwhile, Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism), a corporate entity which works to plan, supervise, develop, and market Dubai’s Tourism industry has officially announced a collaboration for the grand world premiere The Wedding Party.

  • ELFIKE Collective holds media screening for The Wedding Party

    ELFIKE Collective holds media screening for The Wedding Party

    As a build up to a grand world premiere, Ebony Life TV and its partners, last Thursday held a media screening for its latest production, The Wedding Party.

    Held at FilmHouse IMAX Cinemas, Lekki, the premiere had members of the cast and crew of the movie present.

    Introducing the cast, Executive Producer of the flick, Mo Abudu said that The Wedding Party was inspired by a wedding she attended sometime last year. “I looked at all that was going on and I said to myself that a film like this had to be made. Weddings are done all over the world but there is something special about Nigerian weddings. That was the inspiration and I think it is important, with this journey we have undertaken, for our stories to travel,” she said.

    Reliving the character he played, singer, actor and music video director, Banky W said; “I saw a bit of myself in Dozie. So, in that perspective, it wasn’t that challenging because I could identify with him and his thought process. But looking at the other cast members; these are titans in the Nigerian movie scene. Everybody here is incredibly talented. So this was the first time in my professional career that I was the least experienced person on the project. So from that standpoint, it was challenging.”

    The Wedding Party dwells on the life of a lovelorn, modest girl, Dunni, who falls for Dozie, a notorious womanizer, and they agree to tie the knot. From family differences to the haunting past of the groom, the bride has to decide whether the journey is worth it.

    The movie stars big names in the Nigerian entertainment industry including Alibaba, Adesua Etomi, Banky W, Sola Sobowale, Ireti Doyle, Richard Mofe-Damijo and a host of others.

    Meanwhile, Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism), a corporate entity which works to plan, supervise, develop, and market Dubai’s Tourism industry has officially announced a collaboration for the grand world premiere The Wedding Party. 

  • TIFF: …And ‘The wedding Party’ falls short of expectations

    Last night, the gate opened for the Nigerian contingent to show their stuff to the world, having been hugely represented at the ongoing Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). But quite disappointingly, the country began her showcase of the eight selected films for the festival’s ‘opportunistic’ platform called City-to-City focus with a noisy film that portrays the awry part of its people.

    That film, ‘The Wedding Party‘, directed by Kemi Adetiba, is definitely not the kind for Toronto or any A-list film festival. Therefore,  its promoters should have known better not to show it to a curious and critical audience at this time of Nollywood redefinition, let alone lead the way for the other seven Nigerian films.

    I don’t know where Kemi Adetiba is coming from, save for her music video background, but that outing for The Wedding Party was like putting her bad foot forward. Same goes for other promoters of the movie who could have saved that commercial-inclined production for some class of the Nigerian audience with sour comic taste.

    Not only is ‘The Wedding Party‘ noisy in the real sense of the word, it falls short of sound quality that further pushes it down the drain. And I think that the producers could have helped the audience with some English subtitle, going by the garbled accent of some cast and an overbearing use of sound track.

    As much as comedies tend to defy some rules of realism in filmmaking, the producers pushed the bar too far by making a clown of the entire cast. A typical Lagos wedding, by the Yoruba and Igbo, must be some hard drug carnival that makes the entire city go crazy. I’m tempted to think that people merely acted themselves in that movie, with a passive directorial input. What more can you get from a star-studded film like ‘The Wedding Party“?

    However, if there were actors who held their own, it would be the likes of R.M.D and Iretiola Doyle, Adesua Etomi and Banky W. The producers could have simply made slapstick of the whole drama, because ‘The Wedding Party‘ does not strike the chord of chaotic decency it tries to portray.