Prince Tonye Princewill’s soon to be released flick, ‘76’ has once again made headlines. The highly anticipated movie had its equally eagerly anticipated European premiere at the BFI London Film Festival held over the weekend and just like the experience in Canada, tickets were sold out days before the screening.
Prince Tonye was during the same period, a guest on BBC’s Focus Africa.
This was the first time a Nigerian film had done the Toronto and London back to back in the same year.
“Showing made in Nigeria can truly go global,” said Wabiye Idoniboyeobu, Chief Media Aide to Prince Tonye Princewill in a statement.
‘76′, according to the statement, “being the only Nollywood movie selected for the festival represented Nigeria in style and got great reviews from a host of local and internationally recognized movie critics.
“The stars came out in glittering form in the London’s West End to celebrate the launch of a film that has been described by the UK press as “visually textured, educational, and thoroughly entertaining; a movie not to be missed.”
The film stars many renowned and notable Nollywood megastars Rita Dominic, Ramsey Nouah, Chidi Mokeme, Ibinabo Fiberesima, Memry Savanhu, Daniel K Daniel (two time African best actor 2016) and the awesome Ada Ofoegbu in her ground-breaking role as ‘Aunty Mary’.
Additionally attending were Executive Producers Adonijah Owiriwa (also in the movie) and Prince Tonye Princewill with his family in tow and a host of other glitterati from the elite London red carpet circuit.
At the centre of this very gripping romantic thriller is the charismatic, ‘Captain Joseph Dewa’, played by Ramsey Nouah who is indicted by the military for his alleged role in the notorious failed Nigerian coup of 1976.
“The evening was well attended and witnessed a crowd reaction of delight, full appreciation and immense satisfaction. Without a doubt, the highlight of the evening was the last minute arrival from Heathrow Airport of the movie’s respected Director – Izu Ojukwu, who only just got his visa and made it in the nick of time to attend the post screening Q and A session, to rapturous applause.
“The Toronto and London film festivals are a build up to the Grand Premiere of the movie holding on the 3rd of November in Lagos. It has also been selected as the closing film on the 18th of November at the African Film Festival also holding in Lagos.
“The move is set to hit cinemas in Nigeria and the rest of Africa on the 25th of November and has also been specially nominated to show in major festivals in Germany, Dubai, South Africa, India, the US and other parts of the world,” the statement concluded.
