Premieres are always exciting, especially one which everyone looks forward to. In this instance, I speak about the premiere of Wives On Strike: The Revolution, a sequel to Wives On Strike, written, produced and directed by the multitasking diva and award-winning, an energetic producer who has had back-to-back box office successes with four movies consecutively which include such as; “Being Mrs Elliot”, “First Lady”, “Okafor’s Law”, and “Wives on Strike”, she is my Leading Woman for today, the delectable Omoni Oboli.
The venue for the premiere was Imax in Lekki and it pulled the high and mighty of the Nollywood industry and other distinguished personalities including Tony and Awele Elumelu, Mo Abudu, the honourable minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, Tonye Cole, Sylvia Cole, Olukorede and Olajumoke Adenowo, Toyin Abraham, Kene Mkparu, Alibaba and Mary Akpobome, Ufuoma McDermott, Fred Amata, Williams Uchemba to mention a few.
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In Wives On Strike, Baba Amina played by Udoka Oyeka decides to marry off his 13-year-old daughter to solve his family’s financial issues. One afternoon Mama Ngozi (Oboli), Madame 12:30 (Uche Jombo) and their friend’s device come up with a stirring strategy to help Mama Amina (Ufuoma McDermott) protect ‘their’ child. The movie adopts the theme of the ‘girl not bride’ campaign of 2013.
However, in Wives On Strike: The Revolution, the movie follows the market women fighting against domestic violence after one of them was beaten to death by her husband. This leads to yet another strike by the women against their husbands forcing their hands to stand up for what is right. Nuff said! I would not want to disclose more, it’s out in the cinemas from today so go and enjoy!
Getting into the venue of the premiere, it was easy to tell all the Ts were crossed and the Is dotted. Lights shining bright, hostesses registering attendees and the red carpet adorned with stars and distinguished guests in all their glory. One after the other they took turns in taking pictures with Omoni and from the smiles on their faces you could tell everyone was indeed proud of her.
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One of my favourite moments on the red carpet was when her adorable sons and husband gathered to take pictures with her. You could see the “we are proud of you mummy” feeling on their faces and the “that’s my wife” gaze from her supportive husband.
It wasn’t hard to tell that her friend and sister of all times Ufuoma McDermott was also a part of the movie. Both of them looked stunning as they were styled by AvantGardeER owned by the gorgeous and amiable Ibidun Ighodalo, their Make-up was by House of Tara who did amazing work on their faces, not surprised though, Tara Fela-Durotoye is all about excellence!
After taking pictures and exchanging pleasantries with one another, it was time for the premiere so we all made our way into Imax and our drinks and popcorn awaited us on our seats.
Just before the movie began, Kene Mkparu, Founder and Group MD/CEO of Filmhouse Cinemas and FilmOne Production/Distribution Nigeria, gave a brief on the movie and spoke brilliantly about Omoni as he closed his speech welcoming her to give her opening remarks.
It was an emotional moment for Omoni as the experience she had at the same venue for the premiere of her movie Okafor’s Law came fresh on her mind but she surely didn’t let it linger for long as she shared briefly about the movie and enjoined us all to watch and have fun.
I must say that the Imax experience cannot be explained in words. The pictures and characters came alive in a way that can only be experienced and not explained. You should go and watch the movie there, you will understand.
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Scene by scene we all watched and couldn’t hold back, we laughed and laughed and laughed, how can you stay still watching a movie that has stellar cast such as Omoni Oboli, Ufuoma McDermott, Uche Jombo, Toyin Abraham, Sola Sobowale, Chioma Akpotha, Julius Agwu, Odunlade Adekola, Kenneth Okonkwo and more and you sit still? Simply impossible! So if you are thinking of a movie with fun, intrigue, truly educating and hilarious, the Wives on Strike: The Revolution is yours to watch and enjoy!
Resounding rounding applause was how we all showed we enjoyed the movie when it got to the end. It was time for the Minister of Information to say a few words and we were all impressed when he said there are penalties put in place for those involved in piracy. It was encouraging to know that truly, filmmakers can begin to enjoy the fruit of their labour.
He also informed us that the anti-piracy task force that was set up by The Ministry of Information in conjunction with stakeholders have swung into action. He told us the police has finished the standard of operating procedure and that they have committed to putting their weight behind it as they are about to set up an anti-piracy squad in each command in the federation. He also briefed us all that he just wrote a letter to the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, to include the Nigerian film and creative industry in the 500 million export stimulation fund. He ended thanking the private sector without which the Nollywood industry would feel challenged to survive.
Movie for our eyes, information for our minds. If all said is put in place, I am certain Nollywood will not only be on the top three globally merely in figures for statistics alone but will be worth enough to stand side-by-side with other countries doing well in film making.
Once again, well done Omoni Oboli, you have done Nigeria proud. On to the next project, we can hardly wait!
KEMI AJUMOBI
