Film  

“The Kinsman” New Romantic Comedy Hits Big Screen

By Chuks Nwanne

29 September 2018   |   3:12 am

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After months of working on the project, film lovers recently witnessed the premiere of a new romantic comedy movie, The Kinsman. Screened at the Silverbird Galleria, Victoria Island, Lagos, the premiere brought together some stakeholders in the country’s movie industry....

Actor Kalu Ikeagwu (left), Teni Stuffman and Doris Ariole at the premiere of The Kinsman at the Silverbird Galleria, Lagos

After months of working on the project, film lovers recently witnessed the premiere of a new romantic comedy movie, The Kinsman. Screened at the Silverbird Galleria, Victoria Island, Lagos, the premiere brought together some stakeholders in the country’s movie industry, as well as friends and family members of the production team, who had the opportunity of being among the first set of Nigerians to see the movie.

Starring some notable Nollywood actors such as Kalu Ikeagwu, Ebele Okaro, Lota Chukwu and OAP Steve Onu (Yaw), the movie, which will hit the cinemas across the country of October 5, tells the story of Nneoma, who decides to return to Nigeria from Cotonou after losing her husband and two sons. Her devoted daughter in-law and late son’s widow, Nadia, insist on following her back. In appreciation of Nadia’s loyalty, Nneoma’s sole desire and pursuit is to help Nadia get a good husband by playing cupid. This quest takes them on a journey full of humour, drama and intrigues.

Though an adaption from the biblical story of Ruth, The Kinsmen is a story beautifully crafted in a way that viewers can easy connect with it. Even with loads of humour that laced the production, the director succeeded in holding on to the storyline till the end.

The lead character Kalu Ikeagwu was very impressive in the movie, which will obviously made huge impact in the cinemas.“Everything I do, I try to do it because it’s special to me. You know, we’ve become jaded when it comes to love and relationship; there’s this thing that a woman is not supposed to be forward. As a matter of fact, my generation used to revolt against our parents because of arranged marriage. But like my farther used to say, ‘young people think the old people are foolish, but old people know the young people are foolish.’ Now, I understand the wisdom in that because they look at the long term and the behavious of the people they are getting married to. So, when I saw the script and the fact that it was lifted from the bible, I just fell in love immediately. It’s something that is very dear to be and I know that I couldn’t but do it,” he said.

While Lota Chukwu, who played Nadia gave a good account of herself in the movie, Ebele Okaro and Yaw ensured viewers get loads of comic relief, including the twists and turns that characterised the movie.Written and produced by Teni Stuffman and Doris Ariole, The Kinsman is the first original movie of fast-growing online media streaming platform, Lodios.com.

On the inspiration behind the project, Teni Stuffman, said, “I realised that one of the best ways to pass a message is to mix it with comedy as attention span is very important. So, as people are laughing and you are making the messages very subtle, they will easily internalise it,” she said. 

According to the director, Doris Ariole, “The Kinsman is a faith-based story remarkably told without the overbearing of religiosity, with lot of humour and drama. I was called to make this movie because I’ve been pioneering a movement in Christian entertainment, particularly the movie industry. I have a movie, Benevolent and Executive Producer watched it in the United States and wanted us to work together on this project.”