Banky W, Etomi, AY, Ikechukwu In ‘The Wedding Party’

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Written by playwright, Tosin Otudeko and directed by Kemi Adetiba, ‘The Wedding Party’ is a first of its kind initiative designed to raise the bar in African storytelling through unrivalled technical achievement in filmmaking and creative media arts.

Set in Lagos, Nigeria, the movie tells the story of Dunni Coker (Adesua Etomi), a 24-year-old art gallery owner and only daughter of her parents, who was about to marry the love of her life, IT entrepreneur, Dozie Onwuka (Banky W). The couple took a vow of chastity and looked forward to a groundbreaking first night together as a married couple.

The trailer when released few weeks ahead of its world premiere at the 2016 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), created quite the buzz and appeared to have all the makings of a hit film — a talented director, an all-star cast and a media mogul as producer.

Like a typical Nigerian wedding party, between two ethnic nationalities, the Cokers from the South Western part of country, played by doyen of comedy in Nigeria, Alibaba and actress of many movie credits, Sola Sobowale, were set to show off their affluence in their only daughter’s wedding.

Mrs. Obianuju Onwuka, a classy society woman played by Iretiola Doyle, married to the liberal wealthy electronic merchant from the South East, played by Richard Mofe-Damijo never wanted the her first son, Dozie to be married to Dunni. Both mother in-laws were at loggerheads and wanted to show who is the most influential and wealthiest.

After a heated argument on which family makes the first entry into the reception hall, the Coker’s who were given second place to the groom’s family ended up beating the Onwuka’s to a grand entry with their choice of fuji and song by Yinka Ayefele, which the guests could not help but give a dancing ovation.

While Mrs. Onwuka concluded plans on making Dunni’s life miserable since she refused marrying her class except her darling Dozie, the event planner, Zainab Balogun, was constantly on her toes, trying to give her client the much anticipated society wedding.

Speaking shortly after the screening, Executive Producer, Mo Abudu said, “After attending a wedding party sometime last year, and when I looked at all the drama that was going on in this wedding, I said to myself, a film has to be made about a Nigeria wedding party. Weddings are done all over the world, but there is something special about this particular one. In it you can virtually pick all the fun, intrigues that are characterized in Nigerian parties.”

For Kemi Adetiba, director of the movie, “It’s quite an experience but the transition from music to film directing is not much of a challenge, rather what I worked on is the stamina to hold on till the end. It’s a compelling one though, handling the casts and crew.

“All the music and soundtrack therein were intentional to add up; we wanted it to be part of the movie and not a priority. Everywhere we have been, people comment and say the movie gets them dancing all through with all the Nigerian music that featured in the movie,” she added.

Powered by Elfike Film Collective, a collaboration of Africa’s leading powerhouses — EbonyLife Films, FilmOne Distribution, Inkblot Productions and Koga Studios, the suspense-filled romantic film inspired by Nigerian wedding experience and a desire to showcase African music and lifestyle was premiered to the press on Thursday, November 3, at the Filmhouse IMAX Lekki, Lagos.

The movie was first announced in April this year and screened for the first time on September 8 at the opening night of the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) as a selection of the Spotlight City-to-City programme. It would officially be in the cinemas on December 16.

Other casts in the movie include Beverly Naya, Somkele Idhalama, Daniella Brown, comedians Ayo Makun (AY), Emma OhMyGod and Lepacious Bose; rapper Ikechukwu Onunaku, Enyinna Nwigwe, Kunle Idowu, Sambasa Nzeribe, and Hafiz Oyetoro (Saka) among others.

Meanwhile, the movie has received a great boost from Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism), a corporate entity, which works to plan, supervise, develop, and market Dubai’s Tourism industry, for a grand world premiere schedule to hold on Saturday, November 26 at The Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos

Dubai Tourism Daprtment as part of its Vision 2020 initiative selected the movie. The Vision, which was approved in May 2013 by His Highness, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai, as a strategic roadmap to attracting 20 million visitors per year by 2020, doubling the number welcomed in 2012.

Speaking on the partnership, Executive Producer of the film, Mo Abudu said, “Nigerians have a warm affection for Dubai. It is a favourite for destination weddings, family holidays and business trips. We are proud of this partnership and we look forward to treating some lucky cinema goers to an unexpected discovery of a city that we all love. We also look forward to hosting the representatives of Dubai Tourism in Lagos this November.”

“Africa is a key source market for Dubai; we firmly believe that there is a wealth of talent within the African community. We are pleased and honoured to have been given the opportunity to collaborate with Elfike Collective, which aligns with our objective and commitment to supporting and nurturing young filmmaking talent,” said Stella, a representative of Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism).

She explained that guests would walk away with amazing prizes including luxury accommodation courtesy Arabian Falcon; theme park passes courtesy IMG Worlds of Adventure, and helicopter rides courtesy Alpha Tours Helicopter Rides, while Dubai Tourism will be giving away other VVIP gifts to lucky premiere guests.