By Nurudeen Oyewole
Forty years after the assassination of former head of state, General Murtala Mohammed in a coup, a Nollywood film, ’76’ encapsulating the story of love, trust, faith and family set that transpired in the nation’s army at the time, has debuted.
’76,’ a production in partnership with Africa Magic, Adonis Productions and Princewill’s Trust was screened penultimate Thursday in Lagos.
Set six years after the Nigerian civil war, ’76’ tells the story of a young officer from the Middle Belt entangled in a romantic relationship and eventually marries a beautiful student from the South-eastern part of Nigeria.
It narrates their budding romance threatened by endless military postings, as they face the ultimate test when the news of the soldier’s involvement in the botched coup attempt makes headlines.
Directed by award-winning director, Izu Ojukwu, ’76’ is inspired by events which led up to and followed the botched 1976 coup d’etat and features real life, archived, actual footage that contributes to the movie’s overall authenticity. The execution of the movie was also done with the approval and support from the Nigerian Army.
Director M-Net West Africa, Wangi Mba-Uzoukwu, said ’76’ is an adventurous foray into filmmaking in Nigeria.
“It’s an exciting, compelling storyline that many Nigerians and indeed Africans will relate with. The directing and production quality are topnotch, and indeed Africans will relate with it. The directing and production quality are topnotch, and the themes celebrate values, including courage, loyalty, patience, trust and sacrifice,” she said.
Confirming army approval for the production, Major General Rogers Nicholas who was at the media parley said what the military was trying to do by allowing filmmakers have access to all valuable materials used for the film was to open up the system and let Nigerians know that the military is approachable for anything that would be about development.
The executive producer of ’76’ and a patron of the Nigerian Association of Movie Producers, Tonye Princewill, said: “’76’ is a deeply emotional movie, and it resonated deeply with me as I am sure it will do for viewers not just in Nigeria, but around the world.”
He added that: “’76’ is the first movie to be shot on the film was thus a very expensive project. We are however, very satisfied with the finished work and we know viewers will thoroughly enjoy the movie.”
Actors and actresses who starred in ’76’ include Ramsey Nouah, Rita Dominic, Chidi Mokeme, Ibinabo Fibiresinma, Ada Ofoegbu, Daniel K Daniel and Memry Saranhu, among others.
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