Encomium
+All you should know about Fifty
It’s audacious, moving, insightful and simply beautiful! As we count down to the December 13 world premiere of FIFTY, the most anticipated movie entertainment experience in the final quarter of 2015. Iretiola Doyle (who plays Dr. Elizabeth in the enthralling magical film) sat with ENCMIUM Weekly to share a few insights into the 2015 BFI London Film Festival official selection set to hit cinemas nationwide as from December 18…
Can you briefly describe the role you played in FIFTY?
I played the character Dr. Elizabeth, who is a top obstetrician. She is a consummate professional, in love with her job and patients, loyal friend, ultimate party animal, sexy, sassy and absolutely unapologetic for anything.
What sort of person is going to love this character you played?
Anybody who loves a good story would love this movie, regardless of age. It will appeal to a large audience. But I suspect strongly that it will find a strong fan base in people who are slightly older and that is mainly because one of the strongest statements the movie, FIFTY makes is that, you can live to the full at any age.
How is this character like you?
A few similarities between myself and Dr. Elizabeth are, we are both consummate professionals, very loyal to the few friends that we do have, we are both sexy and sassy. I am working my way to the unapologetic stage.
What do you love about this character?
The thing I love most about Dr. Elizabeth is that she takes no prisoners. What she wants, she goes out and she gets.
What do you hate about this character?
She doesn’t know when to stop.
What’s the biggest challenge about taking on this role?
I have never played such a risqué character, and the challenge was playing her in such a way that she did not come across as tacky. Thankfully, I had a director who knew his characters intimately. Once I established, I could trust him implicitly, the rest was easy.
What’s your favourite line of dialogue in your role and why?
I am really not sure but I definitely love the interplay between Dr. Elizabeth and Maria.
Beside yourself, which actor in FIFTY is going to blow audiences away and why?
The beauty of FIFTY is that nobody took his or her character for granted. Everybody played to the hilt, regardless of how big or small the role is. I think audiences will love different characters for different reasons.
If you could play any other character in FIFTY, who would it be? And why?
Absolutely no one, I love Dr. Elizabeth. From the moment I got the audition slides, she was the one that leapt out at me. She was the one I wanted and prayed that I got.
Describe FIFTY in one word.
Perfection.
More people applaud Fifty
“Cinema 2 at the Ritzy in Brixton was sold out and the audience LOVED it. It’s celebratory of Lagos, strong women and African success. It’s not high art, it’s popular entertainment that shows people and places in one of the fastest growing economies in a refreshing new light.”
Jane Mote, Interim VP Content and Creative at Turner Broadcasting Systems EMEA
“Thanks again for the invitation to see FIFTY. It was an amazing film – the music, costumes, story, the elegance with which the plot was delivered. I loved it”
Ojoma Ochai, Director, British Council
“I attended the Leicester Square premiere which I thoroughly enjoyed. These occasions for Africans in the mainstream are rare. I found the film entertaining and feel that it will be an unquestionable box office hit amongst its audience”
Nadia Denton, Film Industry Specialist, Publicist and Author of The Nigerian Film-maker’s Guide to Success
“Nigerians can look forward to a big treat when FIFTY, a new film by Ebony Life Films hits the cinemas nationwide from December 18, 2015. We were all highly impressed and full of praises after the media screening yesterday evening in Lagos. Kudos to my sister Mo Abudu and the entire cast and crew of FIFTY.”
Tunde Kelani, Film Maker
Win tickets to the grand premiere!
Stay glued to social media in the upcoming weeks as there will be competition galore! We have already witnessed competition. Participants win tickets to see FIFTY at the cinema but the forthcoming weeks will see contestants win tickets to attend the grand premiere and it could be you.
The film will have its grand premiere on Sunday, December 13, 2015, at Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos and will be in cinemas nationwide from December 18, 2015.
Tickets for the grand premiere are limited, so book your ticket(s) now! Call Temidayo on +234 809 871 8555
Platinum Exclusive Benefits – Front Row VVIP Table for 10. Red carpet interviews Performances by KSA, Tiwa Savage and Waje. Fine dining and champagne. The exclusive premiere of FIFTY Meet and Greet with our stars. Photo opportunities with our stars. Access to our FIFTY Old Skool After Party.
Platinum Plus Benefits – Gold Circle Row VVIP Table for 10. Red carpet interviews Performances by KSA, Tiwa Savage and Waje. Fine dining and champagne. The exclusive premiere of FIFTY Meet and Greet with our stars. Photo opportunities with our stars. Access to our FIFTY Old Skool after Party.
Platinum Premium Benefits VVIP – Tables and special seating for couples and singles. Red carpet interviews. Performances by KSA, Tiwa Savage and Waje. Fine dining and champagne. The exclusive premiere of FIFTY Meet and Greet with our stars. Photo opportunities with our stars. Access to our Fifty Old Skool After Party.
Ebony and Vogue Italia magazines set to cover the World Premiere of FIFTY in Lagos
Ebony and Vogue Italia, two of the world’s best-known lifestyle and fashion magazines, are amongst the sundry international and local media scheduled to cover the world premiere of FIFTY, the eagerly expected movie-magical feature film production from EbonyLife Films, happening in Lagos, Nigeria on December 13, 2015, at the prestigious Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lago.
FIFTY has persistently attracted global reckoning and enviable media reviews having been celebrated as the only film selected from Nigeria, and one of five films from the entire continent of Africa from 238 films selected globally for screening at the 2015 BFI London Film Festival.
The expected coverage of Vogue Italia and Ebony highlight the groundswell of international media spotlight the film has been garnering since its recent making by a distinguished production team including Africa’s Queen of chat, Mo Abudu, as executive producer and acclaimed playwright, novelist and Director of the award-winning film, Half Of A Yellow Sun, Biyi Bandele, as director.
FIFTY has received extensive reviews and wide recognition from reputable international media such as CNN, for whom FIFTY is “a movie that shows African women unlike before”, VP Content and Creative at Turner Broadcasting, Jane Mote, who opines that FIFTY “is celebratory of Lagos, strong women and African success. It is not high art, it is popular entertainment that shows people and places in one of the fastest growing economies in a refreshing new light” and BBC1’s Controller, Charlotte Moore, whose analysis submits that the film is “funny, full of melodrama and disarmingly touching and courageous at the same time.”
FIFTY, captures a few pivotal days in the lives of four Nigeria women at the pinnacle of their careers in the resurgent, ever-bustling, 24-hour megacity of Lagos, the commercial capital of Africa’s biggest and most vibrant economy. Tola, Elizabeth, Maria and Kate – four friends entrapped in the intense and pulsating story of love and lust; power and rivalry; life and loss.
Tola (Dakore Akande) is a reality TV star whose marriage to lawyer Kunle never stood a chance thanks to an unpleasant family secret. Elizabeth (Ireti Doyle) is a celebrated obstetrician whose penchant for younger men has estranged her from her daughter. Forty-nine year-old Maria (Omoni Oboli) has an affair with a married man that results in an unexpected pregnancy and Kate’s (Nse Ikpe-Etim) battle with a life-threatening illness has plunged her into religious obsession.
