Nigerian Music Nigeria – Hollywood Stars Lead Ije To Cinema

Source: Florence Utor, Guardian, 31 JULY 2010
Hollywood stars and crew members that featured in the award winning international film, Ije which began its run in all cinemas across the country have arrived in Nigeria. The trio of Odalys Garcia, Jeff Swarthout and Ulrich Que landed on Thursday. They had an interesting moment with journalists yesterday at a press briefing ahead of red carpet reception during the premiere scheduled to hold at the Silverbird cinema, Victoria Island today. Their Nigerian counterparts, Genevieve Nnaji, Clem Ohameze and Omotola Jalade Ekeinde would also be present at the red carpet, which begins at 6pm with the film screening at 7.45pm.

Garcia was born in Havana, Cuba. She began her career in modelling when she arrived in Miami. In 1991, she was cast to host Noche de Gigantes (Night of the Giants) by Univision alongside Don Francisco. They became friends during the two years she was in the show, and she became famous to Hispanic audiences. Soon, she was chosen to host De Pelicula, a Saturday afternoon movies show. Her biggest break however came when she participated in Lente Loco (Crazy Lens), as Pupu Piru, a show that was like the Spanish version of Candid Camera. Lente Loco became a big hit among Univision’s target audience, and Garcia’s fame went off the charts.

In Ulrich Que’s case, the tall, handsome dude formerly known as Larry James Ulrich, is a Bachelor of Arts degree holder from the Huston-Tillotson University. He also holds a Master of Fine Arts degree in Film Production from the University of Washington. He landed the leading role in Austin’s popular soap series titled Shades of Life where he won the Best Male Actor consecutively for two years.

Actor, writer and producer, Jeff Swarthout (Don Deccico in Ije) is featuring in his seventh feature film since moving from New York six years ago. In New York, his primary focus was the stage, with classical theatre being his niche. He has performed with the Acting Company, The Utah Shakespearean Festival. He has starred in hit movies such as Devil Girl, Gardens of the Night among others.

Ije was produced and directed by Nigerian international filmmaker, Chineze Anyaene, founder of Xandria Productions. A movie that got so much accolade from Nolywood star and former President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, Ejike Asiegbu. He described the film “as a watershed in filmmaking in the country. From the plot to the cast and crew, the quality of production… Ije is just too much. And to think it was produced and directed by a young female filmmaker from Nigeria. I am impressed, Nollywood is proud to have a film like this come out of Nigeria.”

Since its production, the movie shot on 35mm, has already made headway, winning several awards, being nominated and chosen as official selections in many film festivals around the globe. These awards include Excellence in Filmmaking, Best Editing and nominations include Best Director, Best Cinematography, Best Feature Film and Best Feature Film Screenplay.

Ije is a melodic and beautiful score through rich visuals in Los Angeles and flashbacks on location in Jos, Nigeria. The movie captures the viewer from the very first scene and delivers a powerful heartfelt message throughout the entire film, leading to a seductively twisted and mind-bending, yet moving conclusion. Cultural values and morals clash with the evil, seductive and elusive dark side of power, money and life in Los Angeles bring.

Ije-The Journey tells the story of two loyal sisters with unbreakable bonds and the power of the human spirit. When Anya (Omotola), the eldest of the two, vows to chase her dreams of glamour, fame and wealth in the Hollywood Hills, her younger sister, Chioma (Genevieve) warns her of the dark side of the American dream.

Against the will of her father, Anya follows her dreams and leaves Nigeria to find fame, glamour and riches. Years later and in a world far away from the life she knew, Anya is charged with the murder of the three men including her persuasive, power hungry husband. Chioma travels to her sister’s side and soon discovers a flawed justice system… as the trial unfolds, the truth is slowly unravelled, the cultural values of two worlds and personal morals come to an explosive collision.

Nigerian Music Nigeria Genevieve, Omotola