Encomium
More than 5000 people gathered at the magnificent The Rock Cathedral, Lekki, Lagos on Thursday, October 1, 2015, to experience the premiere of the life-changing inspiring Hollywood drama flick, Captive which stars British-Nigerian actor, David Oyelowo.
Produced by Paramount Pictures, the screening of the flick was held in conjunction with the United States (US) Embassy in Nigeria and had in attendance dignitaries from all walks of life including diplomats, celebrities and business moguls.
Captive is a thrilling drama about the spiritual collision of two broken lives, based on a miraculous and inspiring true story in the non-fiction Unlikely Angel by Ashley Smith. When Brian Nichols – on the run as the subject of a city wide manhunt and desperate to make contact with his newborn son – takes recovering meth addict Ashley Smith hostage in her own apartment, she turns for guidance to Rick Warren’s best-selling inspirational book, The Purpose Driven Life. While reading aloud, Ashley and her would-be
killer each face crossroads where despair and death intersect hope.
They through the book discovered that the purpose of their lives was greater than just living for themselves, that they needed to live for others.
ENCOMIUM Weekly spoke with the host, Pastor Paul Adefarasin both on the movie and Nigeria’s 55th independence anniversary…
What are your thoughts on the movie?
I think it’s a brilliant piece of artistry that delivered the message of hope in the midst of despair, and understanding that you were created on purpose as a human being. You owe it to your generation, to yourself and to your legacy to ask yourself, what am I on earth for? Why am I here? Where am I going?
Nelson Mandela found his purpose in the midst of despairing moments, Winston Churchill found his purpose and the purpose of his country and delivered on it.
What’s the idea behind this premiere?
We wanted to use this platform to challenge individuals and Nigeria as an entity to begin to ask questions. And together as individuals and as a nation, if we find our purpose, we begin to galvanise all Nigerians along the path of that purpose, we believe that the Nigerian dream that our parents spoke about which is in the hands of this generation, may become the reality.
What were the high points for you?
So many, one was Brian Nichols (played by David Oyelowo) still felt his life was worth living and that one day he’ll see his son again despite getting jailed without parole. Another, Ashley Smith (played by Kate Mara) put drug addiction behind her and decided that she’ll become a responsible mother. My high points were people finding purpose. Then to hear Oprah Winfrey acknowledge almighty God as Creator, I thought that was remarkable. Also, to see Ashley Smith (who inspired the story of the movie) on Oprah Winfrey show share her testimony of how she found purpose, I was absolutely delighted by that. And then to have 8,000 people gathered together in this sanctuary to watch the movie and hear the message of the likes of Oby Ezekwesili, if we can run with it, we will build a Nigeria.
What’s your message to Nigerians as we mark 55 years of independence?
Nigeria on purpose, let’s build a purpose-driven nation. Let’s find our purpose, let’s share and together own our purpose. When we find that purpose, let’s build on it.
- MICHAEL NWOKIKE
