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At last, Half of A Yellow Sun gets approval

Biyi Bandele
Biyi Bandele

After weeks of apprehension, the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) finally approved the N1.7 billion movie, Half of A Yellow Sun for public viewership. In a statement made available to ENCOMIUM Weekly by the board’s Head of Corporate Affairs, Ceaser Kagbo, Half of A Yellow Sun is listed among the latest 77 movies approved for public viewership classified “18” and above.
Since April 25, 2014, when the movie was scheduled to hit the cinemas in Nigeria, the Nigeria Films Board had delayed issuing certification, citing current situation in the country as reason and claiming the movie which is an adaptation of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s award winning novel, Half of A Yellow Sun could incite violence because of the war content in it. The producers insisted the movie shot in locations in Calabar, Cross River State (Nigeria) and London, the United Kingdom is a story of love set during a war time.
“All approved movies fulfilled the regulatory conditions stipulated by Nigeria Film Board”, Kagbo said. 15 movies were approved under the “18” category and can be shown in cinemas across Nigeria. They are classified Exhibition Category.
62 were classified in the “Non Exhibition” category which is strictly for home audience. Out of these are Yoruba, Hausa and Ibibio

Half Of A Yellow Sun
Half Of A Yellow Sun

language movies. We heard from a reliable source that the producers may announce a release date that would ensure that the film is shown in Nigerian theatres in three weeks.
Before it’s approval however, Half of A Yellow Sun had started streaming online to American audience. The development started on Sunday, June 29, 2014. PANA TV reportedly acquired the rights to stream the movie on the internet.
Getting approval for Half of A Yellow Sun didn’t come on a platter of gold. Few scenes in the movie which was labelled as war scene was removed to suit the requirement of the Nigeria Film Board. A statement released by Kene Mkparu of FilmOne Distribution, the official distributor of the movie explained how the producers met the film board.
“FilmOne Distribution had been in communication with the NFVCB and a meeting was arranged. At this meeting (attended by the DG NFVCB, three NFVCB Directors/Heads, and the MD FilmOne) FilmOne broke down the financial consequences of re-mastering and re-printing of copies of the film and its resultant effect on the commercial viability of the film’s cinema release in Nigeria. Nevertheless, FilmOne presented to the board edited scenes in accordance with the board’s requirement.
The board watched these edited scenes and expressed their satisfaction. The board then stated that they would meet and communicate to us officially. Once the areas highlighted are resolved, the NFVCB as a regulator shall communicate a rating of the film as may be deemed appropriate.
“I would like to state that despite the additional costs associated with editing, re-mastering and re-printing, FilmOne, in conjunction with the film producers, have satisfied this edit requirements by the NFVCB and are now looking forward to receiving an official classification from the board. I am truly glad that the NFVCB is now satisfied with the effort we have made to meet the requirement they asked for. We now look forward to announcing a new release date for Half of a Yellow Sun.”
We sent a message to Yewande Sadiku, executive producer of the movie and she confirmed the approval and added they are working on a date when the movie will hit the cinemas.
“Yes, it has been approved, we are working on arrangements for release in cinemas at a date to be announced soon”. The movie grossed $4,843 in the first weekend of it’s release in May 2014 and $32,452 in June 2014 in the US.

– FOLUSO SAMUEL

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