
Nigerian born international filmmaker, Lancelot Oduwa Imasuen, is
currently making global statements with his latest feature film, Home
in Exile. The big budget film recently made headlines when it was
nominated in the official selection at the Carlow Film Festival,
Ireland, late last year amid applause.
Speaking on the success of the yet-to-be released film, Elated Imasuen,
with over 100 Nollywood movies to his credit, as a director, said the
movie tells the true Nigerian story of hard work and perseverance.
“Home in Exile, was shot last year and premiered first at the
Odeon Cinema, London. The world premiere was graced by both Nollywood
and Hollywood stars and it was well-attended. We are planning of having
a nationwide premiere in Nigeria soon. We are starting with Abuja,
Lagos and Benin, the capital of my home State, Edo. The essence of the
premiere is to allow Nigerians see this movie and know that there is no
place like home. It’s our own little way of helping to rebrand
and reposition the battered image of Nigeria. Parents and their
children, especially those living abroad, have a lot to learn from this
interesting movie”, he said.
Speaking further, Imasuen, a proud promoter of Edo language movies,
maintained that his latest movie would not be released on the shelves
now, adding that he hopes to allow movie buffs have a taste of it
first, through the cinemas. “We are not hitting the shelves
immediately after the premiere; we want to go round cinemas nationwide
before even thinking of releasing it into the market, through the
conventional way. This is a new era and we are following global best
practices inherent in the film world. We want to change a lot of bad
practices in Nollywood with Home in Exile and that we have already
started this 2010. Our being selected for the Carlow Film Festival was
because we shot a very good movie and strictly adhered to global best
practices in the film world, for us that is a huge plus for
Nollywood.”
Continuing, Imasuen, the award winning director of several popular
Nollywood movies like: Issakaba, Last Burial, Ebuwa and a host of
others, disclosed that the Lagos premiere would likely hold before
Valentine’s Day, adding that some of the foreign cast and crew
members that took part in the movie would be storming the event.
“Why we cannot give a specific date is because we are still
mapping out strategies and consulting with our clients and partners for
a reliable date. But definitely, the Lagos premiere, which comes first,
will hold before Valentine’s Day. We are redefining standards in
Nollywood that I can assure you”
Produced by Lancewealth Image in collaboration with JJ Barry
Entertainment, Home in Exile, a heart wrenching story of the
excruciating pains and untold hardship and harassments that Nigerians
living abroad go through, would surely blow away the minds of
Nigerians, especially lovers of suspense and intrigues filled movies,
by the time it begins showing at the cinemas soon. Notable Nollywood
stars in the movie, which also got a good review in the British media
alongside a memorable red carpet/ interview session include: Justus
Esiri, Desmond Elliot, Uche Jombo, Chimwetalu Agu and many others.