Nigerian Civil War Film ’76’ To Premiere At TIFFPosted by Wilson Morales
August 23, 2016
’76” is the first all-Nigerian, made in Nigeria movie by Award Winning Director Izu Ojukwu chosen to have its own world premiere at the prestigious 41st Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). “76” Inspired by True Events, Six years after the civil war, a young officer from the middle belt gets entangled in a romantic relationship with a beautiful O-level student from the Southeastern part of Nigeria. Their budding romance is almost ruptured by endless military postings. Now heavily pregnant, her walls crumble when the news of her husband’s involvement in a botched coup attempt hits the headlines. 76’ celebrates the quality of the true African woman by exploring the usually invisible pain of a soldier’s wife; it highlights the enduring Nigerian cultural values of courage, resilience, patience, loyalty, faith and family. It is visually pure, emotionally engaging and amorously therapeutic
“76” received an endorsement by the Nigerian Head of State who succeeded the assassinated Murtala Muhammed at the time, His Excellency Olusegun Obasanjo, who later went on to become a two term President making him both a military and civilian leader of the largest black nation in the world. He described ’76” as “the best view of one of the worst times in our Nations history. A must watch and an insight that was long overdue. Watching the attention to detail and hearing my own voice in February 1976, brought out both sweet and sour memories as Murtala Muhammed was not only my boss, he was my friend.” Set during the era of military assassinations and political unrest in Nigeria, “76” also had the full approval and endorsement of the Nigerian Army and the Murtala Muhammed family, and was shot inside the confines of a military base, a first in Nigeria’s cinematic history. It comes 40 years after the actual events, and follows four years of work by the multi award winning Director Izu Ojukwu and the production teams of Adonis Production and Princewill’s Trust.
“76” Stars Award Winning Actors Rita Dominic, Ramsey Nouah, Daniel K Daniel, Actor & Reality-Show host Chidi Mokeme, Actor & President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria Ibinabo Fiberesinma as well as well as other Rising Stars. “76” will have its World Premiere Screening on Sunday September 11th. at the prestigious Isabel Bader Theatre in Toronto with Key Cast in attendance.
The 41st Toronto International Film Festival® shines its spotlight on City of Lagos, Nigeria, for the eighth edition of the City to City programme. “We wanted to show audiences who were not there, what it was like and the impact of the army on the people’s psyche. A lot of water has gone under the bridge over 40 years. This is a filmmaker’s small contribution to some of that healing.” I am honored we were selected first by Toronto.” said Executive Producer Tonye Princewill mentioned.
