Celebrity guests put Nigeria’s rich cultural elegance on full display at the premiere of “The Beads,” an H-Debay production, on Sunday at the Filmhouse IMAX cinema in Oniru, Lagos. The premiere comes just as the film debuts on global video-on-demand platform Amazon Prime.
The colorful ceremony was attended by cast, crew and film lovers, who walked the red carpet in various traditional costumes adorned with beads of different shades and hues.
The elegantly dressed attendees were led by the film's main cast including Zainab Balogun, Efa Iwara, Idowu 'Iya Rainbow' Philips, Akinayo Morakinyo, producer and Moyin Sage, director.
Other celebrities who supported the film at the event included Iyabo Ojo, Ronke Oshodi-Oke, Tayo Faniran and Yvonne Jegede.
Iyabo Eye
The Beads, directed by Moyin Sage, is a thriller that tells the story of a bride-to-be's wedding day, which turns out to be the day of her death, as she fights for her life in the hopes of turning back time – a journey through the tangled web of human emotions.
It features a star-studded cast including Zainab Balogun, Shaffy Bello, Adedimeji Lateef, Efa Iwara, Idowu Phillips, Segun Arinze, Chioma Omeruah, Bimbo Manuel, Ronke Oshodi, Juliana Oloyede, Tina Mba and Jammal Ibrahim.
Others are Bridgett Adebayo, Stephanie Zibilli, Temitope Aremu, Ogwo Blessing Chidima, Caroline Igbe, Rebecca Adelakun, Damilola Omotoso and Bianca Ugowanne.
Article page with promotion of financial support Tayo Faniran The Beads Ronke Oshodi Oke and Iyabo Ojo
Speaking about the film, Akinayo Morakinyo, the producer, said that 'The Beads' celebrates our culture and focuses on the popular local mystical accessory.
He said: “We hope the film will spark curiosity and provoke a conversation, questioning whether the mystery surrounding Ranti's story exists in real life. Such mental and verbal questioning is one of the hallmarks of cinema.”
Furthermore, speaking from a director’s point of view, Moyin Sage said, “It has brought us this far and will continue to push us forward if we continue to highlight our culture through the lens of cinema. That is what the world wants to see. They don’t want us to copy and appropriate foreign cultures. The more we do that, the better for us as an industry.”
READ ALSO: MOVIE REVIEW: A Father's Love: Nollywood film that keeps viewers guessing
Zainab Balogun, the lead actress, highlighted the moral of the film: “We only have one life and one chance. There is no second chance or the ability to live life again. So, whatever we do now, we must do it intentionally and well. Most importantly, we must make sure that we are at peace with our decisions.”
More images:
Iya Rainbow and Zainab Balogun Ronke Oshodi Oke
Premiere of Zainab Balogun's 'The Beads'