MOVIEDOM EXTRA..........By Igalaman 

Toyin Abraham’s ‘The Ghost and the Tout’ is ready

Toyin Abraham

Notable Nollywood actress and producer, Toyin Abraham is set to hit the cinemas with her latest movie titled ‘The Ghost and the Tout’. The actress has secured a May 11, 2018 release date for the star studded movie, which is coming after the wide acceptance of her blockbuster movie, Alakada Reloaded, which ranked as one of the highest selling indigenous movies to be screened in cinemas nationwide in 2017. Directed by Charles Uwagbai, Produced by Toyin Abraham and Co-Executive produced by Samuel Olatunji, ‘The Ghost and the Tout’ follows the story of a young and vibrant lady, Isila (Abraham), who grew up in the core of a ghetto.  An unforeseen event sends her world into a series of drama involving a murder case and a mystery from a forbidden spiritual event.


Left with no choice, Isila journeys on a mission to unravel the truth to get her life back on track and in turn free a ghost from the restlessness of his soul.

Toyin Abraham

The movie also features talented actors like Chiwetalu Agu, Dele Odule, Femi Adebayo, Rachel Okonkwo, Sambasa Nzeribe, Chioma Akpotha, Omowunmi Dada, Chigurl, Ronke Oshodi-Oke and more. It also stars talented Instagram sensations like Josh2funny, Cute Abiola, Bobrisky, Lasisi Elenu, Oshisko Twins, Iya Ibadan and more. Speaking on the movie, Toyin Abraham said "everything about this movie excites me, the creation of this movie came from a place of gratitude and appreciation to God and my fans, this movie is not just an extremely hilarious and entertaining movie; it cuts across all spheres of our lives and realities. It deals with the several emotions that can be felt by any human, and how we let these emotions define us.’ On her expectations, the actress responded saying; “You never really know what to expect when it comes to cinema audiences however, ‘The Ghost and the Tout’, is no doubt one the movies that will leave you reeling with laughter. With awesome cast and great productions, I can say we will be serving it hot come May 11th.’

From audio-visual professionals, more attention for archiving and preservation

Calls for more attention by government of all levels for audiovisual archiving and preservation, including adequate funding, has been canvassed by audiovisual professionals in Nigeria. Rising from a one-day National Conference on Audiovisual Archiving in Nigeria, held recently at the Nicon Luxury Hotel in Abuja, participants discussed extensively issues militating against the establishment, funding and promotion of Audiovisual Archiving in Nigeria and resolved that, indeed all hands should be on deck, along with appropriate legislations and funding, for the operations of Audiovisual Archiving in Nigeria to thrive, in line with global practices. The Conference, organized by the National Film Video and Sound Archive, (NFVSA), established by the Nigerian Film Corporation, was intended to among others, create awareness on the need to preserve Nigeria’s audiovisual heritage, build the capacity of audiovisual archivists, conservationists and curators. Formation of Professional Associations for Archiving and Preservation formed part of the objectives of the one-day conference with the theme: ‘’ Audiovisual Archiving in Nigeria – the Challenges and Prospects’’. A Communiqué capturing the issues germane to Audiovisual Archiving and Preservation was issued at the end of the Conference. The professionals resolved among other resolutions that: government should as a matter of urgency give speedy approval to the National Policy on Preservation and Conservation; that government should make the National Film Video and Sound Archive a legal depository for all audio-visual materials produced in Nigeria, about Nigeria and on Nigeria; that the National Film Video and Sound Archive should be a National Center for the preservation of all audio-visual materials in Nigeria; that Audio Visual Archives and Libraries in Nigeria should have written Operational manual (Policy) to guide its programmes and activities and that all establishments that employ Audio-Visual Archivists in Nigeria should as a matter of urgency ensure that the archivists receive specialized training both within and outside Nigeria to equip them with the required knowledge and skills in film preservation, restoration, documentation and use. Also the professionals urged government to improve funding of Audio Visual Archiving in Nigeria and that Government and the private sector should invest in audio-visual infrastructure in Nigeria. Similarly they called on government at all levels to establish Audio Visual Archives to ensure effective national coverage. The Audio Visual professionals canvassed the need for audio visual Archivists in Nigeria to form a National Network of Audio-Visual Archivists to enhance interrelationships and resource sharing. They also stressed the need for a national Survey of Audio Visual holdings to be carried out by the Audio Visual Archivists to establish the materials available nationwide and their state.  The survey they say, should cover not only public film archives but also privately owned film archives. Similarly they urged Audio Visual Archivists to at regular intervals organize enlightenment and advocacy programmes aimed at sensitizing policy makers and the general public on the importance of Audio-Visual Archiving. The communiqué, according to the Head, National Film Video and Sound Archive (NFVSA) Mrs. Chinwe Oliwe, sums up the renewed commitment of audiovisual professionals in Nigeria to address all issues inhibiting the effective policy takeoff of audiovisual archiving, assuring that Nigeria’s audiovisual heritage  (music, film, etc) will not be lost.

MOVIETAINMENT magazine set to stage Achievement award

As part of its objectives of adding value to the industry, the publishers of Movietainment are set to stage the maiden edition of the Movietainment Achievement & Corporate Awards dubbed MACA 2012. MACA will hold on Saturday August 11, 2012 at the Lagos Airport Hotels, Ikeja. The award according to the organisers will cover three major areas--the corporate industry that has added one or two values to the growth of the industry,, individuals as well as the industry gurus. MACA according to the organizers is not just about presentation of awards, but an avenue to interact, and network. And in the light of the interactive session of the award, two key personalities Senator Olorunninmbe Mamora and Barrister Tunji Bamisigbin to do justice to some topics which deal with the challenges facing the industry. Both Mamora and Bamishigbin will examine “The Role of Entertainment in Political Development of Nigeria” and “Piracy and the Film Industry; The Way Forward.” The Movietainment Magazine Ventures (tmm) was registered on 15th December 2005. The first edition was launched 1st July 2006, and it started full operations in March 2007 and since then, it has become an established brand amongst other specialized magazine. The Magazine has also established itself as a brand and has carved a niche for itself in the Nigerian has Entertainment Industry with its 60% focus on the movie sector. 
The magazine has established a strong bond and relationship with some Governmental Agencies both in the Culture and Tourism Ministry and the Ministry of Information and Communication. Such agencies includes Centre for Blacks & African Arts & Civilization (CBAAC), Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC), Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), National Theatre/National Troupe of Nigeria (NT/NTN) and the guilds and associations in the entertainment sector which includes Association of Movie Producers (AMP), Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Directors Guild of Nigeria (DGN), Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners (ANTP), National Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners (NANTAP), and

Winners for Durban Film Festival announced

The 33rd edition of the Durban International Film Festival, with principal funding from the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund, has announced its award-winners, for the 33^rd edition, which closed on Saturday July 28 in Durban, South Africa. Winner of the Best Feature Film award, Love (Amour) was applauded by the International Jury as “unmissable”, and the film’s director Michael Haneke, as a “contemporary master with an astute understanding of his cinematic world”. The Best Feature Film award carries a cash prize of R50 000.The international Jury which comprised Zimbabwean filmmaker and novelist Tsitsi Dangarembga, hot South African director Oliver Hermanus, producer and television presenter Kgomotso Matsunyane, and Canadian producer, director Peter Wintonick also awarded the Best First Feature Film prize ( R20 000) to Australian Julia Leigh for Sleeping Beauty (Australia). Receiving a cash prize of R30 000, the Best South African Feature Film was awarded to Adventures in Zambezia (South Africa), directed by Wayne Thornley. Of the large number of South African films screened this year, the jury’s unanimous voice lauded this film as one with “strong writing and direction, and beautiful animation infused with the spirit of the continent…” and one that “tells an African story from an African perspective while having clear global appeal”. The Amnesty International Durban Human Rights Award, with a prize of € 2,500, went to Malika Zouhali-Worral and Katherine Fairfax Wright’s film Call Me Kuchu which focuses on attacks on gay people in Uganda. The other awards include

Best Director: Benh Zeitlin for Beasts Of The Southern Wild (USA); Best Actress: Deanie Ip in A Simple Life (Tao Jie) (Hong Kong SAR China)

Best Actor: Joseph Wairimu in Nairobi Half Life (Kenya, Germany); Best Cinematography: Gökhan Tiryaki for Once Upon A Time In Anatolia (Bir Zamanlar Anadolu’da) (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Turkey); Best Screenplay: Ercan Kesal, Ercan Ceylan and Nuri Bilge Ceylan for Once Upon A Time In Anatolia (Bir Zamanlar Anadolu’da) (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Turkey); Special Jury Mention Feature Film: Goodbye (Be Omid E Didar) (Iran), directed by Mohammad Rasoulof; Best Documentary: 5 Broken Cameras (Palestinian Territories, France, Israel, The Netherlands), directed by Guy Davidi; Best South African Documentary: The African Cypher (South Africa), directed by Bryan Little; Documentary Special Jury Mention: Calvet (Costa Rica, France, Nicaragua, United Kingdom, United States), directed by Dominic Allan and Best Short Film: The Bird Spider (La Migala) (Spain), directed by Jaime Dezcallar The 33rd Durban International Film Festival is organised by the Centre For Creative Arts (University of KwaZulu-Natal) with support by the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund (principal funder), National Film and Video Foundation, KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development and Tourism, HIVOS, City of Durban, German Embassy in South Africa, Goethe Institut of South Africa, French Season in South Africa, and a range of other valued partners. 

Fintel Brings Famous Celebrity Salon To Nigeria

Fintel Universal Services Limited of Nigeria in partnership with (JK-INC, Ireland) having secured the Franchise of the famous Celebrity reality TV show titled, Celebrity Salon from Straywave is bringing the show to Nigeria and the whole of Africa in 2012. The Celebrity Salon is a 12 part reality TV series that will challenge 6-8 top Nigerian celebrities cut across various industries (Nollywood, music, comedy, fashion and modeling, sports and broadcasting) to enter a "beauty boot camp" to learn many of the skills needed to become a top beauty therapist. The show will see celebrities on the road touring the best salons across the country where they will be mentored and trained in a new skill in every episode as they compete to impress their mentor and beauty guru and a series of expert judges.  Skills varying from facial treatment, nail and hair treatment, skin, massage techniques and photo shoot will be the main focus. The show comes with a top foreign celebrity presenter, foreign and local directors, producers and crew to support the Nigerian cast and crew to produce a world class Celebrity Salon Nigeria. The Celebrity Salon Nigeria will be aired in major TV stations across the country, cable TV channels and previewed in the foreign media for the global audience. The celebrities would be paid appearance fees aside from prizes to be won based on their performances in various tasks given by the brands that would be represented. The celebrities will travel, live and learn together over an intensive 2-4 week period. The Celebrity Salon Nigeria for this first season would be pre recorded and not a live show and it is billed to be aired between the third and last quarter of 2012. The choice of celebrities will be based on the strength of the fan base of the celebrities in comparison to their contemporaries, the type of corporate brand they are able to attract and secure for the show, their availability for the total duration of the production among other requirements. It is expected that at the end of the show, the celebrities would have acquired unique beauty skills, increased their fan base, go away with a lot of gifts and remuneration, command global respect and recognition, secured brand deals with major multinationals, etc. FUSL is a company duly incorporated in Nigeria and carries on business as movie producers, distributors and marketers of home video and movies and also helps independent producers secure distribution rights across Africa

It’s ‘Invitation to Thunder’ for Superstory’s series

Ace Nigerian production house, Wale Adenuga Productions presents a Superstory classic titled: Invitation To Thunder. ‘Invitation to thunder’ is the popular Superstory title that portrayed the life of a wealthy businesswoman Susan, whose spirit was crushed when she suspected that her younger lover Henry was having an affair with one of the top attendants in her supermarket. She devised a plan to get rid of Sonia but something went horribly wrong. Written by Lamson Yesuf, Invitation to thunder reflects the extremities of jealousy, envy and vengeance. According to Wale Adenuga Jnr, “Invitation to thunder is being transmitted due to popular demand by fans. Superstory remains a mirror to reflect and correct the ills of the society” Invitation to Thunder, features stars such as Chinyere Winifred, Jibola Oredola, Perez Egbi and others. Wale Adenuga Productions Ltd has several award-wining programmes including Papa Ajasco and Company,  Thislife and Nnena & Friends.

Premiered: Last Flight to Abuja

All roads led to Genesis deluxe Cinema at the Palms in Lekki on Friday for the all glam premiere of Obi Emelonye’s latest feature Last Flight to Abuja. The movie got many people talking, tweeting and texting prior to this premiere that attracted a large crowd of mostly top industry players and captains of industry.  Based on what the promoters said was a true life story, the richly cast movie features Amnesty International Ambassador, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, Jim Iyke, Hakeem Kae Kazeem, Jide Kosoko, Celine Loader, Uru Eke, Anthony Monjaro, Uche Odoputa, Charles Granville, Franca Brown and others. The project is majorly sponsored by one of the nation’s leading banks, Diamond Bank. Known for supporting business owners, industrialists, SMEs, the bank took the notch higher by throwing its weight behind highly acclaimed movie, Last Flight to Abuja. The bank has over the years established credibility as one bank which delights in making dreamer’s dream come true and lovers of art. One of the stars of the movie, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde spoke on the movie shortly after the premiere:  ‘’I think it’s a life changing movie, I tell the people around me that this movie is going to do nothing but encourage people to take risks, I think it was bold of the filmmaker but it’s also a very risky thing to do, I think we need to get to that point in Nollywood, where we leave our comfort zone and veer into the bigger things, bigger projects and talk about the things that affect our lives.  9/11 has had several movies done about the incident, we shouldn’t have taboo subjects, the more we can talk about these things in a respectable manner, the better for us, which is the only time we can move ahead and the jinx can be broken’’. When asked if the movie was her most challenging so far, the amiable actress opined ‘’ truthfully no, but it’s one of the most challenging movies, it was challenging because of the topic but I would put it on the same level with a movie called, The Prostitute because as at that time, the movie was like a taboo subject and the way it was being handled was very conscious, another movie of such underlining factor was Mortal Inheritance’’. The PR Agency handling the publicity, Bigsam Media said ‘’ those that have seen the movie have predicted that it would to sell more than Mirror Boy and we can say with all sense of modesty that it will double the box office figure. Obi did a good job! ’’. Other sponsors of the movie are; Afromedia, Zinox, TD technology distribution, Mact Securities, Soundcity, Nigezie, Ozone Cinemas, Silverbird Cinemas, Nigeria Info FM, Cool FM, Blue Pictures (distributor of the movie), Africa Magic, Wazobia FM and Bigsam Media.

Hitchcooks’s Vertigo is BFI’S greatest film of all times

The BFI’s Sight & Sound magazine today announced that the winner of its hugely anticipated and world-renowned Greatest Films of All Time poll is Alfred Hitchcock’s Vertigo, ending the 50-year reign of Orson Welles’ mighty Citizen Kane, winner of the once-a-decade poll since 1962 and now in second place. 846 film experts participated in the poll, placing Yasujiro Ozu’s Tokyo Story 3^rd and Jean Renoir’s La Règle du jeu 4^th. Two new films to make the Top Ten are both silent – Dziga Vertov’s Man With a Movie Camera at no.8, the first documentary to make the Top Ten since 1952, and Carl Theodor Dreyer’s The Passion of Joan of Arc in 9^th place. The most recent film in the Top Ten is Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) in 6^th place. The poll is Sight & Sound’s seventh and most ambitious to date; the full results are published in the September issue, on sale from August 4^th which also celebrates the magazine’s 80^th birthday and a new re-launch, with a new look and new digital edition and archive. Visit www.bfi.org.uk/sightsoundpoll2012 for the results in full.

Dependable RMD and Ego Boyo set to Tango on 'Mr. X Family'

* To Premiere on May 6 on African Magic

By Shaibu Husseini (First published in The Guardian on April 21st)

If you are a social media and television hobbyist and you have not come across a promo material on a

RMD on the set of Mr. X Family'

new television series titled ‘Mr. X Family’, then you may need to check your browser or update your cable subscription. To say that the buzz title on social media and on television is the ‘Mr. X Family’ television series is to be stating the obvious.

Not that there is anything new about birthing a television series. But there is something that makes this series arguably the most anticipated. First, it features two of Nigeria’s dependable actors Richard Mofe Damijo (RMD) and Ego Boyo and secondly, RMD as the actor’s actor is simply called and Ego Boyo who were both constant visitors to home as long as that award winning series by Amaka Igwe ‘Checkmate’ lasted, are reuniting for some measured acting performance nearly 22 years after they featured in the award winning movie ‘Violated’.

Also, this time, RMD is not just on call as an actor, but he signs the series as Producer. It will be his first major television series production and the actor, lawyer, publisher, Public Relations practitioner and former Commissioner for Culture and Tourism in Delta State is excited at the prospect of the series which premieres on May 6 on African Magic.  Sharing the news of their reunion on screen on social media, RMD wrote: ‘’ I hope that getting back together again on TV will tickle fans of Ann and Segun and the fans of Tega and Peggy, who have been craving to have them grace their TV screens again. Ego and I are pretty excited about this and we hope the excitement catches on’’.

RMD and Ego Boyo on set of Mr. X Family.

Promoted as a drama but with a tinge of comedy, RMD would not give out the meat of the narrative that make-up the series. The tall and well-built actor says he wants viewers to guess what roles they will be playing on ‘Mr. X Family’. Recall that on Checkmate, the character that RMD played ‘Segun Kadiri’ was always at loggerhead with ‘Ann Haastup’, which was the role Ego Boyo played. And in ‘Violated’, RMD was cast as Tega while Ego Boyo played Peggy. He had said: ‘we are curious to see how many people or if anyone can correctly guess what we are back together as….Mr. and Mrs.? Secret Lovers? Siblings? Colleagues? Somebody? Anybody? Let the guessing game begin’’.

Even though RMD would not say if he would return in this series as Segun Kadiri, an enemy-turned-lover of Ann Haastrup in ‘Checkmate’ or as Tega, a wealthy man who falls in love and marries Ego Boyo's character, Peggy in the movie ‘Violated’, fans say they cannot wait to see RMD and Ego feature as the iconic pair again.

Although early set pictures released revealed RMD in a family pose, sources close to the crew hinted that the story revolves round RMD and Ego Boyo.  RMD explains his relationship with Ego Boyo thus: ‘’My journey with Ego Boyo started nearly 30 years ago, our first encounter being on the production of Checkmate when my dear friend Amaka Igwe pulled me in as the villain Segun Kadiri on the highly coveted television soap. One of the most remarkable things about Ego is that despite the fact that she is born with a silver spoon into the family of the highly respected late Justice Nnamani, she was super disciplined (she still is), very humble and extremely committed’’

RMD and Ego Boyo as they tango on set

RMD taking notes from Director of Mr. X Family Ben Chiadaka

He also explained talked about how their status on screen rose. He said: ‘’our status as Nigerian TV sweethearts rose with the movie Violated, as Tega and Peggy became the toast of Violated fans. Since then Ego has gone ahead to becoming wife, mother, accomplished business woman and the .President of international Women’s Society. Over 25 years later, Tega and Peggy are back together again on my new TV show. I can only hope that getting back together again will tickle fans of Ann Haastrup and Segun Kadiri and the fans of Tega and peggy who have been craving to have them grace their television screens again.  Ego and I are pretty excited about this and hope the excitement catches on’’

An iconoclastic actor, RMD is clearly one of Nigeria’ top celebrities. A top rated actor with vast credits, the Warri, Delta State native has had a remarkable career as an actor and has indeed enjoyed super roles on stage and the movie turf. Acting for the actor’s actor who has proved to be a world-class material, came naturally. As a young boy growing up in Warri, Eyimofe was the acclaimed king of boys. His family’s little home in Warri, was usually a beehive of performances and laughter. It was the meeting point of those in RMD’s age bracket whom he had some form of control over. As a tot, RMD was particularly a “terribly” shy person, so his best escape was to always be in front of the people - his mates, acting or telling jokes that kept them delighted.

RMD after he received the AMAA 2016 Life Time Achievement Award 

Born in Warri, Delta State to a mother (who had a tremendous influence on his life) and who until her death was a trader and a father who until his demise in 1990 worked for the Nigerian Ports Authority Warri, the actors actor schooled briefly at the Roman Catholic Mission School, Warri and the famous Midwest College. At the wake of the indigenization policy, young Richard was sent to the Anglican Secondary School, Okpara waterside and then to St. Patrick’s College Asaba. Upon completion of his secondary school education, RMD proceeded to the University of Benin. He graduated four years later having bagged a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre Arts majoring in Dramatic Theatre and Criticism. A lawyer who has been called to the Nigerian Bar, the former publisher of Mr. Magazine and star of many stage and screen productions including the popular Michael Power series, RMD is married to the broadcaster turned communication consultant Jumobi Mofe Damijo nee Adegbesan and their marriage is blessed with children.

RMD and Wife Jumobi

MOVEIDOM EXTRA.........with Igalaman

Mike Ezuruonye’s ‘Divorce Not Allowed’ is Trending

Talented actor and filmmaker, Mike Ezuruonye has

moved on from the success of Brother Jekwu at the cinemas to serving another Nollywood comedy drama. This time, he is doing comedy with a serious message for couples and lovers. His latest work, ‘Divorce Not Allowed’ opened in cinemas across the country last week. Ezurounye explained that he was inspired to make the movie because he realized that one of the reasons the world would continue to witness incessant breakups, divorce and unhappy marriages, is because people have stopped fighting for their marriages. In his words: "Marriages continue to crash today because many people give up too easily on their marriages. People have simply stopped fighting for their marriages and when you fail to fight for what you believe in, you have lost the fight already. That's because you didn't even make the effort. I made the movie 'Divorce Not Allowed' because I want people to start fighting for their marriages again in order for us to have a better world. Imagine if all married couples, regardless of their challenges decide that whatever the cost, they would make their marriage work, would divorce still be as rampant as it is today? This is the exact message we hope this movie will pass across even as it’s served in comedy".  The movie centers on issues young couples face in marriage and how their resolutions sometimes threaten to shake the foundation of their love. The hilarious movie parades an array of stars such as Bolanle Ninalowo, Iyabo Ojo, Angela Okorie, Eniola Badmus, Mike Ezuruonye and other worthy actors who were stellar in their delivery