By Obasi Agbai
The ancient city of Calabar, Cross River State is today agog for the world premiere of a new movie, Streets of Calabar, which will take place at the Film House, Marina Resort, in the capital. Time is 5pm. The premiere is facilitated by Spirit Creations UK, in association with Cross River State Tourism Bureau, Silverbird Distribution and UNICEM, the leading supplier of cement in the South East.
Produced by former BBC/CNN reporter and presenter, Charles Aniagolu, the movie which is full of thrills and suspense, stars award winning actors and actresses like Rita Dominic, Wale Ojo, Anthony Ofoegbu, Maynard Eziashi, Keppy Ekpenyong, Gordon Case, Lisa Kill, Vicqui Christie, Charles Aniagolu and Frank Macaulay.
Streets of Calabar tells the story of two down-on-their-luck scammers who are caught in a web of scams, danger and murder, and must become part of a covert police mission to stop a mysterious gangster from taking over the peaceful streets of Calabar. Written in a mixture of English and Pidgin, Aniagolu weaves an intricate and funny story in this taut comedy-thriller, with a cleverness and wit that will leave the viewers tense and laughing at the same time.
A sneak preview of the flick reveals that its strikingly original backdrop, darkly comic riff and tense, rollicking action – gangster – thriller portrait, make Streets of Calabar a world-class film, placing it at the pinnacle of the Nollywood movement. For Rita Dominic, Streets of Calabar is an international-standard movie, which was shot on location in London, England and against the spectacular backdrop of Calabar and Cross River State, with a great story line and an international cast.
“The film really is something for the moviegoer to get excited about, “ she says. And to Jacqueline Bell, executive producer of the movie, that the premiere is taking place in December at the height of the Calabar festival is a thing of joy. “I can’t think of a better way to further enhance the already splendid profile of Africa’s biggest cultural event than with this movie and we are grateful to the government and people of Cross River State for their support.”
Michael Williams, Managing Director, Cross River State Tourism Bureau, corroborated Bell when he said: “We are thrilled to bring the premiere of the film to the newly completed ultra-modern Film House Cinema at the Marina Resort and to the world famous Calabar Festival.
The Festival is a premiere showcase of Nigerian cultural innovation, the finest achievements of African arts, and the best in Black creativity and this movie definitely adds to that impressive diversity.” And Charles Aniagolu concluded thus: “This film is a must see. The storyline has several twists in it that will keep moviegoers glued to their seats. Nollywood fans will be thrilled with both the revelatory narrative style and the production value of this movie.
I’m happy that the premiere is taking place in the fabulous metropolis of Calabar, one of the most visually beautiful cities in West Africa and the same location where much of the movie was filmed.’ All the stars of the movie will be at the premiere including Rita Dominic, Wale Ojo, Anthony Ofoegbu, Nollywood starlet, Lisa Kill and many others. Streets of Calabar opens in major cinemas throughout the country today.
Goooood