BY BOLARINWA AKANDE
The journey to the release of Lancelot Imasuen’s epic movie, Invasion 1897 has begun, with a distribution deal already sealed with Silverbird Cinemas.
The first elaborate pre-event activity for the movie took place at the Silverbird Galleria, last Thursday, with notable filmmakers, Corporate Organizations and the media in attendance.
It was obvious that guests who occupied the screening hall to its brim were excited with what they saw, judging by the thunderous applause that followed the film’s end credit.
Anchored by television personality and winner of Big Brother Africa, Uti Nwachukwu, the occasion was also used to unveil the new trailer and poster of the movie, which dwells on the story of the old Benin Empire, recapturing the life and times of controversial Bini king, Ovonranwen Nogbaisi.
According to Imasuen, the World premiere tour of the movie will start at the Toronto African & Music Festival on August 27, where it will serve as the opening film of the festival. “There will then be a London VIP premiere alongside major Benin bronze works exhibition on the September 13. A main premiere will be held in London at the Odeon Cinema also that month. This will be followed by a special premiere of the movie at the famous Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C on September 17. Back home in Nigeria, the film will screen at the Abuja Film Festival, then there will be a special Nollywood premiere on September 23, 25 and 26. The movie will premiere on September 30 in Lagos and start screening in cinemas nationwide as from October 1.
Sponsored by South Atlantic Petroleum, HP, Task systems and FEVA Tv, Canada, Invasion 1897 stars Segun Arinze, Paul Obazele, Charles Enogie, the late Justus Esiri, Briton Rudolph Walker and the British-born Nigerian, Charles Venn.