By Alayande Stephen T.
The Embassy of the Kingdom of Netherlands was a beehive of activities when the cast and crew of the ” The Delectable Azeezah Sama” got the Embassy to throw her gate open for young Industry players and other stakeholders. It was the Screening of the short film and every other things instructive and important to further project the effort.
May we share with you that this short film already got nominated for Best Short Film (Nollywood) at the forthcoming Toronto International Nollywood Film Festival in Canada .. kudos to 2206 Productions and Alfred and Pat Studios for putting this project together. The project which seeks to further bring to fore issues around gender based violence in Nigeria occasioned by so many factors has been lauded by so many stakeholders.
In the word of the Deputy Consul General/ Head of Economy, Kingdom of Netherlands in Nigeria, Leanie Van Der Stiji, she said ” we are very delighted to host the screening of “The Delectable Azeezah Sama “on Gender based violence. Violence goes unreported, every eight days, a woman in the Netherlands is murdered because she is a woman, usually by partner or Ex-partner” she averred.
The night also had a Panel discussion around the thematic thrust of the short film and how creatives using different tools and creative expressions, can also impact and help shape the narratives against gender based violence. The Panel was moderated by Mojisola Ogunlola while she had Goodness Emmanuel (Actor/Filmmaker) & Anto Lecky (Actor/Educator & Reality TV Star) on the hot seat.
To spice up the night was a spoken word artist by the name Faith Moyosore, indeed she had a scintillating performance titled EQUALS.
The event ended with the casts and crew being appreciated by the crowd while the Producer of the short film, Desmond Ekunwe announced surprise gifts for all the team members that worked on the project.
According to Tochi Biko, the Director of the short film; “I appreciate the delicacy of the plot. There’s something powerful about this approach that I hope crawls into bed with the audience and sleeps with them after the film is over. “
When we all thought surprise was over, the lead actress Isoken Aruede who played Azeezah in the flick pulled another of such out from her magic bag as she did an off the rain appreciation of her bestie who doubles as her manager and handed her a trophy of the best manager in the world…done moments close to tears there.
The event had in attendance the likes of Agatha Amata(Industry Veteran & Owner of RAVE TV & Trend FM), Nana of Big Brother Africa, Alayande Stephen T. (NEMCEA.COM Project Director), Leanie Van Der Stijl (Deputy Consular General of the Kingdom of Netherlands in Nigeria), Anto Lecky (Reality TV Star), Opeyemi M.Oriniowo (Policy Adviser/Economic Affairs and Public Diplomacy, Kingdom of Netherlands in Nigeria) amongst many others.
The event was supported by the Kingdom of Netherlands in Nigeria, So Yummy, Go Slow, Live Theatre Lagos and Pepsi.
SYNOPSIS OF THE DELECTABLE AZEEZAH SAMA
This short film follows a day in the life of Nigeria’s poster girl Azeezah Sama when her abusive boyfriend shows up on the day of a career and image-defining interview.
Azeezah is immediately forced to try and keep Jinmi’s abuse at bay while maintaining the perfect happy face for the lights and Camera. Directed by Tochi Biko and Co-Directed by Orobosa Ikponmwen, ‘The Delectable Azeezah Sama’ stars Isoken Aruede, Nonso Ekemezie, Tomison Osinubi, and Bobby Ekpe. The short film is produced by Desmond Ekunwe and Fisayo Ojabodu with Tega Odikpa as the Director of Photography. “The Delectable Azeezah Sama’ is on its way to begin its Festival tour.
Tags: 2206 productions, Alfred and Pat Studios, Bobby Ekpe, Desmond Ekunwe, Fisayo Ojabodu, Isoken Aruede, Nonso Ekemezie, Orobosa Ikponmwen, Tega Odikpa, The Delectable Azeezah Sama, Tochi Biko, Tomison Osinubi.
See photos below:
