His Royal Majesty, Omo N, ‘Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolor, Oba Ewuare II, the Oba of Benin, on Monday received the Esohe movie crew as part of activities to mark the Edo Festival.
The courtesy visit took place after the movie premiered in Benin, with some of the Nollywood acts dressed in Benin regalia for the premiere of star-studded epic movie.
The premiere, adopted as the official movie for the Edo Festival, took place on December 17 in Benin and came after the film made its world debut at the 2017 Hollywood and Africa Prestigious Award and the World Music and Independent Film Festival, among other festivals.
The premiere was attended by the first daughter of the Oba of Benin and her husband, Prince and Princess Osahon Aimiuwu; the cast and crew of the film, including Desmond Elliot, Toyin Aimakhu, Jemaima Osunde, Ufuoma McDermott, Lancelot Imasuen, Charles Uwagbai and Monica Swaida; and top officials of the Edo State Government, among others.
A collaboration between Nollywood and Hollywood, Esohe has been described as a cocktail of love, murder and mystery connecting two centuries.
The engrossing epic is a story of undying love, unflinching loyalty and deviously woven intrigues that is served in a cocktail of the rich Bini tradition.
The movie is a fictional story by Charles Uwagbai and Efetobore Ayeteni, written by Bimbo Manuel, produced by Charles Uwagbai, Monica Swaida and Robert Peters.
Esohe will debut in the cinemas on January 19, 2018.
Speaking on why he shot Esohe, Charles Uwagbai said: “Esohe depicts the rich cultural heritage of the Benin people. It is a captivating love story from an African perspective. The dearth of African love stories is obvious in Nollywood and the west is anxious to see our movies in our own context.
“I was motivated to do this movie to tell the world that the African movie is rich in content and in value. Esohe is that movie everyone wants to watch. The eccentric and captivating story of a young girl who must follow the wishes of the nobles rather than her heart desire portrays one of the ills facing the girl child in Africa.
“My desire to tell the local stories using modern and international means is the vision seen in Esohe. The movie is a departure from the regular Nollywood movies. It is rich in content and keep the viewer glued to the screen with excitement and enthusiasm for the next act. Come January 18, Nigerians will see a new innovation to cinema storytelling.”