For the first time in history, a Nollywood output, 30 Days in Atlanta is leading the charts in cinema figures nationwide. The numbers don’t show any signs of dipping in the near future as investor confidence has boosted the size of resources available for quality production in the sub-sector. Rising Phoenix aims to sustain this momentum by reinforcing renewed public confidence in Nollywood productions through this new work.
In late March, Rising Phoenix will be stepping out unto the big stage with its exploratory debut, In The Music. The cast of the movie is an interesting blend of the fresh faces and voices in the Nigerian entertainment arena. Shot on high budget, coupled with gripping plot and frequent flashes of brilliant acting, In The Music appears set for a solid run in the cinemas. It is a simple enough story of two sisters caught in the tragedy of losing their mum to lung cancer. Like most teenage girls their age, they seem unprepared for life outside the dotting care of their mum. But the dramatic swing of real life events and how the two sisters, Ihuoma (Played by Keira Heiwatch of Lekki Wives and Two Brides and a Baby fame) and Nnenna (Chelsea Eze – brilliant sub as Genevieve’s daughter in Silent Scandal) respond to the rapidly changing landscape is the crux of the narrative.
So the phrase “when life gives you lemons…” takes on a brutal pungency in this movie. Keira and Chelsea, playing Ihuoma and Nnenna respectively, churn out a thoroughly convincing performance as we watch every reaction of their exposed nerves. The challenge of forging through the brutal realities of life in the city, and the antagonism of treacherous friends run side by side the soothing erotica of love gone right. The narrative pulsates intermittently with authentic artistic interplay by Beverly Naya, Tomi Odunsi (Tinsel) and Bryan Okwara. Beverly Naya takes on her most challenging role yet since Weekend Getaway as the vicious antagonist to Keira. She “grows some real balls” in her new persona as she executes her task of compounding Keira’s miseries with gusto. Her antics and subversive behaviour deepen the conflict and suspense in the flick. One remarkable revelation from the movie is the fact that Beverly can sing! Nollywood lover boy, Bryan Okwara reincarnates from the familiar grovelling playboy character into something more assertive, more involving and edifying to watch. The director decides to experiment with the unfamiliar in the casting of Bryan as the objective shifts from simulating glorified sexual chemistry with Keira into a purposeful relationship where he acts the man in every sense outside the passion soaked gyrations of the bedroom. For the first time, we get to see him act the real man and not the epicurean hunk…
To consolidate its hold on the little explored musical genre in Nollywood, In The Music gets a solid boost in quality of cast and signature directing. Its eclectic cast is drawn from varied backgrounds and stitched together in a highly compelling human-interest narrative and some truly riveting original soundtracks. Beyond top model, Bryan Okwara and fast rising Nollywood stars, Chelsea Ezeh, Keira Heiwatch, Tomi Odunsi and Beverly Naya, the movie also features vocal diva, Omawumi in a terrific musical rendition bound to wow audiences nationwide.
In The Music promises to deliver nothing short of excellence in every way. It also promises to give the Nigerian audience a pleasurable watch. Produced by siblings Oluchi Afurobi and directed by Chibuzor Afurobi, moviegoers appear on course for a fresh musical movie experience.
Producer, Oluchi “lulu” Agurobi has this to say about the movie: “Musical like it has never been done in Nigeria.”
Chibuzor Afurobi, who debuts as the director of the flick opines: “You have to see it to believe… But still believe the hype.”
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