Onye Ozi (The Messenger) London World Premiere & Global Online Premiere
Top Nollywood funny man Okey Bakassi takes centre stage in new psychological comedy Onye Ozi (The Messenger), the latest film from Nollywood hit master Obi Emelonye, which receives its world premiere in London on Fri 18th Oct 2013 at The Lighthouse (Camberwell) aka RCCG House Of Praise London.
Onye Ozi, is a first-of-its-kind Nigerian language film; set in London, performed exclusively in the Igbo language (by Nigerian and British actors) and subtitled in English. The film introduces screen newcomer, model turned actress, Ngozi Thompson Igwebike in a leading role, with other fresh faces such as British lawyer turned actor Stephen Moriaty filling other roles in a film that is considered a surprising follow up to Emelonye's hugely successful 2012 blockbuster, Last Flight to Abuja.
Despite the film having a micro budget, Emelonye sees this as an important film that makes his mother tongue 'Igbo' the star attraction. In his own words 'Onye Ozi is my humble attempt to contribute my little quota to the preservation of the Igbo language and to take Nollywood back to its roots'.
Onye Ozi tells the story of Metumaribe (Okey Bakassi) fresh into London with high expectations and a two-year plan to return to Nigeria a rich man. However, life in London with his new 'wife' Mkpurunma (Ngozi Thompson Igwebike) is not going to plan.
On one fateful night, TJ an old English man (Stephen Moriaty) is chased by masked men and shot in front of his eyes. As Metu attempts to help the dying man, he hands Metu an envelope and whispers a message as he takes his last breath. From that point on, Metu becomes involved in a psychological but hilarious adventure that will change his life and the lives of those around him forever.
Obi Emelonye says
'After the many successes of Last Flight to Abuja and The Mirror Boy, I felt that the time was right for me to do what I have been holding back for many years - to make a personal but important film that makes my mother tongue 'Igbo' the star attraction.
The origins of Nollywood can be traced back to Living in Bondage, an Igbo film subtitled in English. However, as the industry has evolved, films in other major Nigerian languages have made significant strides and Igbo language films have become an endangered species. Onye Ozi (The Messenger) is my humble attempt to contribute my little quota to the preservation of the Igbo language and to take Nollywood back to its roots.
It is a micro budget film and not one of the films for world domination. However, you can never tell. As my French producer friend once said, 'you have to be local, to be global'. This film will find its audience and its place in the very exciting African cinema terrain'
Onye Ozi, written, produced & directed by Obi Emelonye is now one of the most anticipated Nollywood movies of 2013. The visionary marketing team behind previous Nollywood Factory premieres is also again set to take Nollywood to the next level with a FIRST ever simultaneous World Premier and Global Online Release, giving fans of Nollywood all over the world a chance to enjoy the film at the same time.
It is anticipated that the unique online premiere of Onye Ozi will further elevate Nollywood cinema globally with a Nigerian premiere and cinema release scheduled to take place sometime in the coming months.
Onye Ozi is produced by emerging UK based film producer Emmanuella Ngozi Ideh alongside Obi Emelonye on behalf of The Nollywood Factory with the support of Nollywood Movies, M-Net Africa and Screen Nation Pictures.
