Kunle Afolayan’s Latest Movie To Hit Cinemas On July 15

“The CEO” stars Wale Ojo, Lala Akindoju, Angelique Kidjo, Aurelie Eliam, Hilda Dokubo, Jimmy Jean Louis, Peter King, Nico Panagio among others.

The film has been slated for a special premiere at the NollywoodWeek Paris, which is to take place from June 2nd to 5th at the popular Cinema l’Arlequin,” a film festival organized by the French-based association Okada Media, headed by Serge Noukoue and Nadira Shakur.

On Wednesday, May 11, top Nollywood actor, director and movie producer, Kunle Afolayan privately screened his yet to be released movie “The CEO” at the Silverbird Cinemas, Alausa Ikeja, Lagos.

While speaking on his movie Kunle Afolayan described The CEO as an experiment to develop value for Africa cinema saying: “this is something that I am very passionate about. This all started as a kid, every time I see the pictures of my father and his contemporaries at film festivals. It became a concern as I have not seen any film from neighboring African countries brought to Nigeria for screening; hence there is a gap between pan-African countries. The CEO is an experiment that I hope will do the magic. The original cast was Nigeria, Togo, Ghana and one Francophone cast. But after my trip to Egypt, it became an eye opener after meeting with colleagues, where we had a co-production meeting.”

Kunle further added that: “apart from Nigeria where the cinema is expanding, we are also targeting a huge market for this film in other African countries. Take for example, South Africa which has close to 500 cinemas; if my films could screen in 200 South African cinemas, it would be great and as this is what cinema distribution can do to the success of a filmmaker. If we can lock down Africa, then we do not need Hollywood.”

Speaking at the conference, the Director, M-Net West Africa, Wangi Mba-Uzoukwu said: “The CEO promises to be unlike anything we have ever seen from Africa. We are familiar with the stellar work that Kunle Afolayan does with his Golden Effects company and were therefore more than excited to jump on board The CEO project right from its inception. This partnership is in furtherance of our continued drive to support Nigerian and African cinema by investing in people, ideas and talent, and we can’t wait for fans and lovers of good cinema to watch this movie.” Other schedules for The CEO include a Lagos Premiere scheduled for July 10, 2016, to be followed by Cinema Release on July 15, 2016. Prior to the cinema release, Afolayan said Private Screenings are opened to corporate organizations who desire some refresher for their staff.

Kunle Afolayan also disclosed that: “Come June 1, 2016, there would be the first-of-its-kind premiere of The CEO aboard Air France to Paris, France. This special premiere will begin with a Red Carpet show at the Check-In Counter at the Muritala Mohammed International Airport. There shall be the best of media coverage from partners such as Africa magic, Silverbird Television and other broadcast and print media who have shown us tremendous support from the past. For our sponsors, partners, the cast and crew of The CEO and those accredited to attend NollywoodWeek Paris, the fun continues with a Cocktail Party at the Boarding Gate. We will run a red carpet into the plane.”

In Kunle’s words, he said: “Thereafter, the movie will be screened onboard the plane where other passengers will partake in the show. It is going to be a complete event show with the usual razzmatazz. Just imagine an “After Party” happening 35,000ft to 40,000ft above the sea level. It is sure going to be a unique experience. It is also good to know that our fans will be waiting for us in Paris where the film has been slated for a special premiere at the NollywoodWeek Paris, taking place from June 2nd to 5th at the popular Cinema l’Arlequin.”

Source: Naij.com