Nollywood actress and filmmaker, Ini Edo, has appealed to regulators and the public not to pull her new movie, ‘A Very Dirty Christmas,’ from cinemas, saying the film does not in any way ridicule Christianity and urging critics to watch it before judging.
In an emotional video shared on her Instagram page on Sunday night, the actress repeatedly pleaded that the film should be allowed to remain in cinemas, stressing that the controversy was about the title and not the content.
“Just don’t pull my film, please. Just allow people to watch. Watch the film and come back and say that this film degrades Christians or degrades Christianity. Then I will pull it.
“If it dishonours God or Christians in any way, I will pull it and bear the consequences. I will not be part of something like that,” she said.
Explaining the intention behind the title, Edo said it was never meant to demean the Christian faith.
“We chose ‘A Very Dirty Christmas.’ It was never to demean Christians or disrespect Christendom or dishonour God.
“This film has no dirt in it. It highlights family conflicts, secrets unfolding. It does not ridicule Christians,” added.
The actress said the movie had only recently been released in cinemas nationwide and lamented that withdrawing it would have serious financial consequences.
“I did take money from investors to do this film. We have over about 70 cinemas nationwide. We’ve done print, media and digital. I don’t know how we are going to do it,” she said.
Edo also confirmed that she had been asked to change the title of the film and expressed willingness to comply, while still appealing that it should not be pulled from cinemas.
“They’ve asked us to change the title, or they’re going to pull the films from the cinemas. How do I change the name, the title? Christians are not the people I want a problem with because I’m one. I will try to change the title. Just give us some time. Don’t pull the film,” she said.