Encomium
-Censors’ Board still awaiting SSS directives
THE continued delay in the release of the movie, Half of A Yellow Sun, entered the third week with no clear cut indication from the National Film and Video Censors Board it would give the approval soon. The latest development is giving the producers of the $10 million (N1.7 billion) movie enormous concern as they don’t know what will happen at the end of the day.
ENCOMIUM Weekly sent an email to Yewande Sadiku, the executive producer of the blockbuster whose investment and that of others are tied down in the flick. She promised to give answers to all our enquiries, but till we went to press, we didn’t get any reply.
We also sent the same message to Biyi Bandele, the movie director. He replied us, insisting that the National Film and Video Censors Board should be in the better position to explain why the movie is being delayed.
“You are sending your questions in the wrong direction. Send them to the National Film and Video Censors Board. Thank you and good day.”
At the films board, the official status still remained delayed, and according to our findings, the final resolve of the whole logjam would be settled by the State Security Service (SSS), who are yet to give a recommendation to the films board for final approval.
The author of the novel, Half of a Yellow Sun, Chimamanda Adichie is not happy with how events have turned in the last three weeks regarding the movie. She accused the Censors board of its shoddy handling of the issue. Chimamanda questioned why the movie has continued to suffer unnecessary delay for release in Nigeria. She wondered why the Censors board would now leave it up to the Nigeria State Security Service to decide the fate of the movie. Just as comment have pointed to the fact that few war scenes in the movie which may re-ignite memories of the Nigerian Civil War, Chimamanda believes Nigeria cannot continue to hide from its history.
“But we cannot hide from our history. Many of Nigeria’s present problems are arguably consequences of a historical culture.”
HOAYS MAKES WAVES ABROAD
While the release is being delayed in Nigeria, Half of a Yellow Sun is making waves abroad. The movie was premiered in Toronto, Canada in 2013. It is currently showing in the United Kingdom and release dates for United States, Australia, UAE and New Zealand have been announced.
Since April 11, 2014, when it was released in the United Kingdom, Half of a Yellow Sun has grossed $153,566. The movie is on number 84 on the UK box office charts. It debuted in the top UK box office charts making it the first Nigerian movie to achieve that feat.
HOW MUCH HOAYS LOST IN THREE WEEKS
Facts have it that no Nigerian movie in cinemas has ever grossed up to $1 million (N155 million). Pundits have, however, said Half of a Yellow Sun will do better in cinemas not because it is the most expensive movie ever shot by a Nigerian but because of its quality and the parade of A-list cast.
For the three weeks the movie has not hit the cinemas, the producers may have lost close to an estimated N50 million. This figure is based on money the film would have raked in in 13 cinemas across Nigeria with an average ticket price of N2,000. The producers are hoping to make more than N1.7 billion, the money spent on the making of the film.
HIGHEST GROSSING NIGERIAN FILMS
Through the Glass – N10 million
The Figurine – N30 million
Ije – N57 million
Anchor Baby – N17 million
– FOLUSO SAMUEL
