The release date for the much publicized ‘Half of a Yellow Sun’ is still sketchy, as regulatory agency, National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), has re-instructed director Biyi Bandele to expunge some portions in the movie, which they considered sensitive to the security of the country.
In a release signed by Acting Head, Corporate Affairs, Caesar O. Kagho, although the agency did not disclose the aspect of the film they had advised the filmmakers to expunge, fillers have it that they include some violent scenes that are capable of inciting ethnic crisis.
Centred on the Nigerian civil war, ‘Half of a Yellow Sun’, an adaptation of Chimamanda Adichie’s novel of the same title, stars Chiwetel Ejiofor, Thandie Newton, Onyeka Onwenu, Genevieve Nnaji, OC Ukeje, Anika Noni Rose, Joseph Mawle, John Boyega, Wale Ojo, Tina Mba, Zack Orji and Hakeem Kae-Kazim.
According to Caesar, “The NFVCB restates its position that the movie is not banned as speculated and that the Board has dutifully exercised due diligence consonant with section 36 (1) (b) of NFVCB Enabling Law ACT 1993, CAP N40 LFN 2004, which stipulates that “a decision on a film shall ensure that such a film is not likely to undermine national security.”
He said his agency had earlier asked the exhibitors of the movie in a letter dated May 27, 2014, “to expunge/edit some clearly stated objectionable aspects of the movie.” He noted that “once the areas highlighted are resolved, the NFVCB, as a regulator, shall communicate a rating of the film as may be deemed appropriate. “The actions of the Board are a routine procedure that is not specific to any production, but primarily taken within the ambit of the law, underpinned by the superior logic of safeguarding overall public interest.”
According to Caesar, since the Board communicated the exhibitor over the issue, there had not been any response that might facilitate further regulatory actions.
However, there are indications that the reluctance on the part of the filmmakers, may be related to the cost of editing the movie, which a source said may gulp about N20 million.