15 Sep ‘76’, marks major international European showcase as only Nigerian Film at The BFI London Film Festival 2016 whilst receiving Former Nigerian Head of State, General Obasanjo’s endorsement”

‘76’ Inspired by true events, set in 1976, six years after the end of the civil war in Nigeria, sees the heavily pregnant woman’s life crumbles when the news of her husband’s involvement in a botched military coup attempt hits the headlines. ‘76’ celebrates the quality of the true African woman by exploring the usually invisible pain of a soldier’s wife; it highlights the enduring Nigerian cultural values of courage, resilience, patience, loyalty, faith and family. It is visually ground breaking, emotionally engaging and amorously therapeutic.

The 3 million dollar landmark cinematic production ‘76’ is all shot in Nigeria by award-winning director, Izu Ojukwu starring Nigerian Nollywood megastars, Rita Dominic, Ramsey Nouah, Chidi Mokeme, Ibinabo Fiberesinma and Memry Savanhu. Also starring in the movie is actor Daniel K Daniel who recently won the best actor award at the 2016 Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA). The London red carpet premiere is slated to take place on the 15th October, and will be attended by the lead cast, crew and special guests. The BFI London screening is preceded by the world premiere taking place at the prestigious 41st Toronto International Film Festival® (TIFF) on the 11^th September. This is the first Nollywood film to be chosen by both Toronto and London film festivals back to back and is a new milestone in African cinema. A story of love, honour and bullets set in Ibadan, Nigeria; the film is inspired by real life event in 1976 that led to the assassination ofnthe then Nigerian Head of State, Murtala Muhammed.

The film, cast and crew have now received a major boost with a high profile endorsement from the Head of State who succeeded the assassinated Murtala Muhammed at the time; His Excellency General Olusegun Obasanjo, then later went on to become a two term President making him both a military and civilian leader of the largest black nation in the world. He described ’76 as, “the best view of one of the worst times in our nation’s history. A must watch and an insight that was long overdue. Watching the attention to detail and hearing my own voice in February 1976, brought out both sweet and sour memories as Murtala Muhammed was not only my boss, he was my friend. I cannot attest to what went on in the homes as we were focused on the field, but this film gives even I, an insight into that.”

Set during the era of military assassinations and political unrest in Nigeria, the movie also had the full approval and endorsement of the Nigerian Army and the Murtala Muhammed family, and was shot inside the confines of a military base, another first in Nigeria’s cinematic history.  It comes 40 years after the actual events, and follows four years of work by the multi award winning Director Izu Ojukwu and the production teams of Adonis Production and Princewill’s Trust, a brainchild of Prince Tonye Princewill and Adonijah Owiriwa who are the film’s executive producers. Africa Magic, a Multichoice subsidiary also signed on as partners.

“Our objective was to show audiences, amongst other things, what the wives of officers had to go through. Military coups were our legacy. In some ways, we are still trying to recover from this. Everyone sees and hears the perspective of the officers. But the woman’s story stays silent. We wanted to highlight the strength and the vulnerabilities of the typical African woman through the eyes of officers’ wives. This is a filmmaker’s small contribution to raising their volume.” the Executive Producer Adonijah Owiriwa stated.

The BFI London Film Festival’s 60th anniversary edition which will take place at venues across the UK capital are from 5-16 October 2016.  In an exciting development for the 60th edition of the LFF, it will also see the launch, with the BFI and LFF’s official Time Partner IWC Schaffhausen, of a significant new bursary award to support exceptional new and emerging UK filmmakers. The IWC Schaffhausen Filmmakers Bursary Award in association with the BFI is a £50,000 award to benefit an outstanding British writer, director, or writer/director whose first or second fiction feature film premieres at the BFI London Film Festival.

We are delighted to announce that our ’76 the Movie” sponsors and supporters thus far are:

1. Africa Magic
2. Nigerian Breweries Limited
3. Crust and Cream, Nigeria
4. Blue Lodge Hospitality
5. The Army of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
6. Project ACT, Nigeria
7. The Silverbird Group
8. The Ford Foundation
9. Wazobia Max/Wazobia Tv/Cool FM/Wazobia FM

For more details please see: 

Website: http://www.76themovie.com/
Website: The London Film Festival: http://www.bfi.org.uk/lff
Facebook: 76TheMovie (NOTE: no spacing)-https://www.facebook.com/76themovie/
Twitter: @76themovieng (Hashtag #76TheMovie) –https://twitter.com/76themovieng
Instagram: 76_The_Movie (Hashtag #76TheMovie) –https://www.instagram.com/76_the_movie/

12th President of Nigeria: General Olusegun Obasanjo : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olusegun_Obasanjo  

credit: epegamedia