MIRROR BOY A FILM TO WATCH.

Starring Genevieve Nnaji, Osita Iheme, Fatima Jabbe, Edward kagutuzi, and directed by ingenuity laden Obi Emelonye

The Mirror Boy is :

• The first African film to premiere at the world famous Empire Cinema, Leicester square, London (this particular cinema is renowned for hosting premieres of Hollywood films in the UK and no Nigerian or African has ever used this prestigious landmark for such. About 1,323 people attended the premiere of the Mirror Boy there)
• First Nigerian film to receive UK wide Odeon cinema release, the biggest African UK release ever, top 5 Odeon London opening w/e, top 20 all UK movies
• The longest run of any African film in any UK cinemas
• Biggest premieres ever in Gambia & Silverbird Ghana, with a sold out extravaganza on 17^th of June at the Silverbird cinema Accra
• Twice profiled on CNN as the Future of Nollywood

Awards and nominations include:

- Break through Actor ( Genevieve Nnaji) at the Monaco film festival 2011

- Best Young Actor ( Edward kagutuzi) AMAA 2011

- Best Film & Best Supporting Actor (Osita Iheme) – AMAA nominees 2011

- Best picture (Obi Emelonye) & Best Pan African Actor (Edward kagutuzi) – Nigerian Entertainment Awards (nominees)

- Whooping Twelve nominations (ZAAFA Awards) to be held in October in the UK ( Best Film, Best Editing, Best Story, Best Sound editing, Best Child Actor Male, Best Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Producer, Best Director, Best Supporting Actress, Best Lead Actress, Best Lead Actor).

The Mirror Boy unveils the story about Tijan, a 12 year old London born African boy (Edward kagutuzi) who is taken by his mother Teema (Genevieve Nnaji) to Gambia for the first time. He gets lost in a crowded street market called Serekunda having been distracted by a boy he’d earlier seen in the mirror when they arrived in Banjul. His mother begins a frantic search for him. Tijan must confront his deepest fears as he tries to find his way back to his mother and embarks on a journey of self discovery, led by the enigmatic Mirror Boy (Osita Iheme), a journey in which the lines between reality and fantasy; the physical and the spiritual are blurred. A mystical and cathartic climax helps Tijan to unravel the mystery of the Mirror Boy…

R.I.P SAM LOCO EFE

NIGERIAN popular actor and comedian, Sam Loco-Efe is dead. Efe was found dead in his hotel room on Orlu Road, Owerri, capital of Imo State, on Sunday August 7. 

The Imo State Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Jingiri Abubakar, confirmed the death to journalists looking for clarification on the incident. He said the famous actor had been ill for sometime and had only come to the hotel to recuperate before continuing his entertainment business, before he suddenly died.

Abubakar said: “It is true. He died in Rapour Hotel in Owerri. We are in the process of going to mortuary now. We heard he had been sick for one week and he had just been discharged. He died last night. We will give you other details latter,” the police commissioner said.

The death was also confirmed by the Actors guild of Nigeria (AGN). The Guild’s president, Segun Arinze said in an interview: “Yes, it is true that Sam Loco passed away tragically in his hotel room. I will be making a statement on Monday, (August 8). I can’t say much now because I want to verify the detail.”

National Secretary of the AGN Chuma Onwudiwe also confirmed Efe’s death, saying: “Today is indeed a very sad day in Nollywood. I can confirm that the great Sam Loco is dead.” 

A versatile actor and a polyglot, the late Efe spoke Igbo, Yoruba and Hausa fluently even though he hailed from Benin, Edo State in South-South geo-political zone.

Efe had performed in several movies, on stage and television for more than four decades. He was part of the Nigerian troupe at FESTAC 77, when Nigeria hosted the world in arts and culture at the National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos.

The death of Efe marks another deplection in the ranks Nollywood family. A few months ago, one the veteran actors, Ashley Nwosu, who had been for sometime died, and about a month ago, another legendary entertainer Christy Essien-Igbokwe died.

The body of the deceased was removed and taken to the morgue of the Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, he said.