Onye Ozi – First Igbo Language Film To Hit Nigerian Cinemas

Onye Ozi [The Messenger] has become the first Igbo language film to hit Nigeria’s cinemas come November 22. Director, Obi Emelonye also responsible for blockbusters, Mirror Boy and Last Flight To Abuja says, ‘It’s also nice to appeal to a certain group of people with no disrespect to the other languages and tribes’.

Onye Ozi is a ‘psychological comedy’ about a typical Igbo native, Metumaribe (Okey Bakassi) who leaves Africa with high expectations for London to marry Mkpurunma (Ngozi Thompson Igwebike), a lady with two kids. Metu who had a two year plan to return to Nigeria as a made-man, found himself in a complicated situation where he becomes a ‘messenger’ between the living and the dead. Metu had to choose to respect T.J [Stephen Moriaty], an old English man he indirectly promised to avenge his death or give up his London dream and return to Nigeria with nothing [no wife, no money]

“He [Okey Bakassi] was just perfect with the lead character. He made us laugh yet was very professional. Ngozi was incredible, not being a famous face, yet she did a magnificent job.” Obi Emelonye tells reporters in Lagos on Tuesday, Nov. 12.

The new film [Onye Ozi] was premiered in London on Oct. 18 and watched in 60 different countries that same day including Saudi Arabia. Onye Ozi is hoped to become successfully accepted like, Living in Bondage, the first ever Igbo film in Nigeria to be subtitled in English.

“It’s a nice film which tells a contemporary story of us today,” Obi tells press men in Lagos, “It doesn’t restrict its audience and favors no one” he adds.

With the appearance of white men/women speaking the Igbo language in the movie, Obi says, “It was one of the major challenges we had. They [whites] had to study the language as fast as they could and had to sound like they were not amateurs.” Another challenge was getting actors on set on time. “It also wasn’t easy getting actors in London since most of them work and act at the same time an getting non-famous faces too was a huge risk but we are glad we had had a great result” Obi explains.

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