Actor and filmmaker, Joseph Okechukwu, has suspended the planned premiere of his movie, ‘Properties of the Gods’, in honour of actors who contributed to the project but have since died.
Okechukwu disclosed this during a private screening of the movie, which explores the Osu caste system in Igboland and its impact on love, relationships and society.
The producer said the decision was prompted by the deaths of two members of the cast—veteran singer and actress, Onyeka Onwenu, and Cynthia Okereke; while another actor, Zack Orji, is still recuperating after undergoing two brain surgeries.
He explained that it would be inappropriate to stage a lavish premiere while the families of some members of the cast were still mourning.
Rather than proceed with the premiere, Okechukwu said the resources earmarked for the event would be used to visit the families of the deceased actors and pay tribute to their contributions to the movie.
He said, “I wanted to remember all the stars we lost. We are going to suspend the premiere, and what we would have spent to do it. We will also pay condolence visits to the families of the star cast that died.”
Okechukwu said the film would be dedicated to Onwenu, with September 4, its scheduled cinema release date, designated as “Onyeka Onwenu Day”.
He added that a night of tributes would be held on September 3 in honour of the late singer and actress.
The producer also announced plans for a tour of the South-East before the cinema release, during which the production team would visit traditional rulers and other prominent personalities.
Okechukwu said the movie was about four years in the making and followed more than two decades of research into the Osu caste system, with about N500m invested in its production.
He noted that the project was inspired by his longstanding campaign against the Osu caste system, which he described as a divisive practice that had subjected generations of people to discrimination and stigma.
According to him, his activism against the practice culminated in an abolition exercise at the Agukwu Nri Palace, Anambra State, in 2018.
He said more than 75 communities subsequently began taking steps towards abolishing the practice.
Reflecting on the production, Okechukwu said several challenges had threatened the project, adding that he had been advised by some people to reconsider making the movie because of the depth and sensitivity of its subject.
He said the production went to set three times and was delayed despite pressure from people who wanted the movie released earlier.
“Many people wanted it to be out two years ago, but I refused because there were certain things that needed to be there. We wanted to make it worth the while,” he said.
Okechukwu also recalled the deaths and health challenges that occurred around the production.
He said Okereke died during the period of production, while Onwenu also passed away. He added that he later learnt that another member of the cast had become seriously ill, while Orji survived two brain surgeries.
“I am not given to superstitions. About three different people met and asked me if I was sure I wanted to make the movie because the thing is too deep. Many people had wanted to make it but couldn’t. So many things went wrong with the production,” he added.
Also speaking, Maria Benjamin, who plays Ada in the movie, described the production as emotional and powerful.
Benjamin, who said it was her first movie, plays a woman who returns to Nigeria with a man she met in the United States, only for their relationship to face opposition because of traditional beliefs surrounding the Osu caste system.
She said the movie encourages audiences to give love a chance despite outdated cultural restrictions.
Chike also disclosed that filming presented a major personal challenge as she was pregnant with her first child at the time.
Guests at the event include Onwenu’s son, TC; the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Fidelity Bank, Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, and her husband, Ken Ikpe; Chief Executive Officer of Nile Entertainment, Moses Babtope; and businessman, Kennedy Okonkwo.
