The executive producers, Tonye Princewill and Adonijah Owiriwa have announced the appointment of award winning marketing and events company, EMC3 as the international marketing, media and publicity agency for their movie, ‘76 the Movie – a $3 million period dramatization.
The production of ’76 the Movie is a love story embedded in treachery, deceit, patriotism and faith. Set in Ibadan, South West Nigeria against the backdrop of transition and the struggle for political stability. Nigeria is Africa’s most populous nation with 175 million people, whose major languages include English (official), Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa along with over 520 indigenous dialects, with Christianity and Islam as the main religions.
February 13, 1976 was a black Friday that Nigerians will never forget. The nation was rocked by the news of the assassination of Murtala Ramat Muhammed, an Army General, the head of state and commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces. He was killed along with his aide-de-camp, Akintunde Akinshehinwa (Lt) on his way to the mosque. Ibrahim Taiwo, a Colonel and the military governor of Kwara State and a number of other officers were also killed. Buka Suka Dimka (Lt-Col) played a leading role in the failed military coup against the government.
Over 30 conspirators were executed on March 11, 1976 at Bar Beach, Victoria Island, Lagos. But Dimka was publicly executed on May 15, 1976 at the Kirikiri Maximum Security Prisons in Lagos.
“’76 the Movie,” which recently had the full approval and endorsement of the Nigerian Army and the Murtala Mohammed family, is set during this era of military assassinations and political unrest in Nigeria. It comes 40 years after the actual events; and follows four years of work by the multi award winning director, Izu Ojukwu and the production teams of Adonis Productions and Princewill’s Trust.
The film stars renowned and notable Nollywood megastars: Rita Dominic, Ramsey Nouah, Chidi Mokeme, Ibinabo Fiberesinma, Ada Ofoegbu, Daniel K. Daniel and a host of other bright and rising stars. At the centre of this romantic thriller is the charismatic, ‘Captain Joseph Dewar’, indicted by the military for his alleged role in the coup.
According to its director, Izu Ojukwu, “It’s actually a story told from a dual point of view – from the soldier’s patriotic perspective and from that of an officer’s wife.” The film celebrates the strongest of human values: courage, loyalty, patience, trust and sacrifice.
The international promotional campaign looks to bring this powerful, heart wrenching and dynamic movie (whilst lending some considerable knowledge of these historic events) to a global audience as well as a new generation of film lovers.
Executive producers, Tonye Princewill and Adonijah Owiriwa at a press briefing to unveil the ’76 the Movie website and introduce the new marketing team, confessed that paying attention to detail came at a big price.
“And since the money was raised from within, we had to take our time. In the end, we are glad we did. ‘76 is coming at the best time; and it appears from initial feedback, that the wait was well worth it,” Adonijah said.
The movie is currently on a tour of educational institutions and select private screenings after which it is due to be released at the end of the year.
The producers said “‘76 the Movie is a must watch for all interested in how we got here as a nation. They urged the public to visit their website for details or follow the movie.
BEN EGUZOZIE
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