Nollywood actress and filmmaker, Ini Edo, has appealed to the National Film and Video Censors Board and the general public not to withdraw her new film, A Very Dirty Christmas, from cinemas, insisting that the movie does not mock Christianity.
The actress made the plea in an emotional video shared on her Instagram page on Sunday night, saying the controversy was based on the title of the film and not its actual content.
“Just don’t pull my film, please. Just allow people to watch. Watch the film and come back and say that this film degrades Christians or degrades Christianity. Then I will pull it,” Edo said.
She added, “If it dishonours God or Christians in any way, I will pull it and bear the consequences. I will not be part of something like that.”
Explaining the meaning behind the title, Edo said it was never intended to insult the Christian faith or ridicule believers.
“We chose A Very Dirty Christmas. It was never to demean Christians or disrespect Christendom or dishonour God,” she said.
“This film has no dirt in it. It highlights family conflicts, secrets unfolding. It does not ridicule Christians.”
The actress lamented that pulling the film from cinemas would have serious financial consequences, noting that the movie had just been released nationwide.
“I did take money from investors to do this film. We have over about 70 cinemas nationwide. We’ve done print, media and digital. I don’t know how we are going to do it,” she said.
Edo also revealed that regulators had asked her to change the title of the film and said she was willing to comply, but appealed for time and understanding.
“They’ve asked us to change the title, or they’re going to pull the films from the cinemas,” she said.
“How do I change the name, the title? Christians are not the people I want a problem with because I’m one. I will try to change the title. Just give us some time. Don’t pull the film.”
She apologised to anyone offended by the title, stressing that there was no bad intention behind it.
“A Very Dirty Christmas wasn’t meant to discredit Christians or Christianity. If it is really hurting anyone, I want to say I’m sorry. That was not the intention,” she said.
The appeal followed objections raised by the Christian Association of Nigeria over the title of the film.
In a statement dated December 16 and signed by its President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, CAN described the title as offensive and disrespectful to the Christian faith and called for a review by relevant authorities.
Reacting to the development, the National Film and Video Censors Board said it had asked the producer to modify the title, while acknowledging public concerns.
“However, the Board recognises that public perception and reception are critical elements of effective regulation,” the NFVCB said.
“In light of the concerns raised by CAN, and in the spirit of responsiveness and dialogue, we have requested the producer to modify the title.”
The board also said it remained guided by the provisions of the National Film and Video Censors Board Act, including Section 39(1), which allows a film to be withdrawn from exhibition for further review if necessary in the public interest.
Edo, however, maintained that she would never deliberately offend her faith.
“I am a Christian. Christians are not the people I want a problem with because I’m one. I would never sit in a gathering where Christians are ridiculed,” she said.
She concluded by again appealing for fairness, saying, “All I’m asking is, don’t pull my film. Give me a fair fighting ground. Let people watch it.”
