WEDDING SCENES

It is widely believed that as humans, different things appeal to different people. Nevertheless, people watch film and are often inspired by the storyline. This is playing out with the latest Nollywood movie, The Wedding Party.
It shows that Nigeria has rich culture and how it takes centre stage at wedding ceremonies. The movie takes guests on a journey to breathtaking wedding day.
The Wedding Party boast of unrivalled technical quality in filmmaking and creative media arts, backed up with lots of music, and humour. The movie will no doubt touch lives; and inspire other citizens of the world to visit Nigeria.
Set in Lagos, it showcases the beautiful landscape of the city with diverse skyscrapers, and what makes Lagos the city of attraction. Starring, 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 couple took a vow of chastity and looking forward to a groundbreaking first night together as married couple. King of Comedy, Alibaba and Sola Sobowale played the role of Dunni’s parents, while Ireti Doyle and Richard Mofe-Damijo played Dozie’s parents. Zainab Balogun, AY, Ikechukwu, Beverly Naya, Emma OhMaGod, Lepacious Bose amongst others were also on set.
Directed by award-winning filmmaker and New York Film School alumni, Kemi Adetiba, and written by playwright, Tosin Otudeko and Kemi Adetiba, the original concept was conceived by executive producer, Mo Abudu and an Elfike Collective Film – a collaboration of Africa’s leading film powerhouses – EbonyLife Films, FilmOne Distribution, Inkblot Productions and Koga Studios.
The media premiere of the movie was held at Film House Imax Cinema, Lekki, Lagos recently. Speaking on the movie, star actress, Shola Showbowale disclosed that she fell in love with the movie when she was contacted to take part in the film.
“When I came back from England they told me about The Wedding Party I asked of the cast.They mentioned Ireti Doyle, Mofe-Damijo, Banky W, and others.
I said, ‘what! Could I have the script?’ I was on top of the world. Coming back into the profession again after the break with these people is awesome.
I couldn’t trade it for anything,” she said. The energetic actress who has featured in countless movies, described The Wedding Party as a movie that showcases Nigeria’s culture.
“The movie show to the whole world that Nigeria is a beautiful country; Nigerians are lovely people. We have culture, colours; that we are good story tellers. This is another way of viewing Nigeria. We were in Toronto they were amazed with what they saw.
They could not believe it. Foreigners do not need to come to Nigeria to know our wedding ceremony. There is nobody home and abroad that will not relate with The Wedding Party.” Singer, Banky W, who played the role of Dozie in his first lead role in such a film, said the commendation the movie has received so far is enormous.
He hinted that when he got a call that they are putting this together, and they called for the audition, and when he heard the caliber of people in the movie he was excited.
“For me as I plan to go into acting and directing I did not want it to be handed to me because I am popular. I wanted to earn it. So when they told me that they have something that I might be good in and mentioning the cast, it was a perfect scenario for me.
I believe in earning my way through life,” he said. The director of the film, Adetiba, who began to make a transition from being a voice on radio, Rhythm 93.7 FM to being a face on television by producing and presenting several shows on Mnet which includes Studio 53, Temptation Nigeria, said the film exports Nigerian lifestyle and showcase its culture as well as music. She said: “I was at a wedding ceremony last year and I saw the drama in the wedding and I said a movie has to be made.
There is something special about Nigerian wedding. I think it is important for our story to travel, everyone that has watched the movie connect with it.” ‘The Wedding Party’ is the second offering from EbonyLife Films after last year’s Fifty.
The Executive Producer, Mo Abudu said she was excited when the movie was selected for screening at Toronto Film Festival. “This will be the second time an EbonyLife movie is selected to screen at an International Film Festival of great repute, TIFF’s selection of The Wedding Party is a true honour.
I can’t think of a better place, or a better global audience for the film’s festival premiere,” Abudu said.The movie is indeed breaking ground, the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism) has announced its collaboration with Elfike Collective for the grand world premiere of the movie which has been selected by Dubai Tourism as part of its Vision 2020 initiative.
Speaking on the partnership, excited Abudu said: “Nigerians have a warm affection for Dubai. It is a favourite for destination weddings, family holidays and business trips.
We are proud of this partnership and we look forward to treating some lucky cinema goers to an unexpected discovery of a city that we all love. We also look forward to hosting the representatives of Dubai Tourism in Lagos this November.”
The grand world premiere will hold on Saturday, November 26 at Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos. Guests will walk away with prizes in – cluding luxury accommodation courtesy Arabian Falcon, theme park passes courtesy IMG Worlds of Adventure, and helicopter rides courtesy Alpa Tours Helicopter Rides.
Dubai Tourism will be giving away other VVIP gifts to lucky premiere guests. Real life couples-to-be will win bridal make-up by Zaron Cosmetics, cakes by Tosan, KOTS catering, complementary venue hire courtesy of Dorchester Events Centre, grooms styling by Mai Atafo.
The Wedding Party premiered at the opening night of Toronto International Film Festival as a selection of the Spotlight City to City programme.

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