When the stars gathered for ‘no dialogue’ movie: A hotel called memory in Lagos

Sunday, November 19, tons of movie lovers gathered at Wings in Victoria Island, Lagos, where Temple productions treated curious and expectant minds to a new African cinema experience with the movie, A Hotel Called Memory.

Produced by actress, Ego Boyo and directed by actor, writer and director, Akin Omotoso, the movie is a different kind, with its fresh take on African cinema that no two persons take home the same experience.

Dubbed as Nigeria’s first silent movie, A Hotel Called Memory tests the audience intelligence, leaves them to draw their own conclusions and keeps the conversation going even long after the movie is over.

Shot in three African cities: Lagos, Cape town and Zanzibar, the movie follows the life of Lola (Nse Ikpe-Etim) a young mother, who goes on a journey of self rediscovery after getting divorced from her husband.

The movie redefines the way stories are being told and it opens the film industry to a world of possibilities. This Omotoso affirm, saying: “We sought to do something that had not been done before and we hope people can see and appreciate that when they see this film. Apart from redefining the film industry in Nigeria, the film seeks to challenge acting styles and push its stars to new depths.”

The film had on August 6, 2017, held its world premiere at the 6th annual Blackstar Film Festival in Philadelphia, USA, where it won the Audience Award. It was screened for the first time at the 7th edition of Lights Camera Africa Film Festival, which held at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The star studded premiere was attended by Nollywood favorites and celebrities including Richard Mofe Damijo, MO Abudu, Joke Silva, Rita Domnic, Ali Baba and his wife, Mary Akpobome; Soni Irabor and his wife, Betty; Lamide Akintobi, Michelle Dede, Meg Otanwa, Seun Ajayi, Etim Effiong among others.