Africa Magic turned a new chapter in Nigerian filmmaking partnering with Adonis Productions and Princewill’s Trust to produce “76”, a tale of love, trust, faith and family set against the backdrop of war and nation building.
Set six years after the Nigerian civil war, ’76’ tells the story of a young military officer from Nigeria’s Middle Belt region who gets entangled in a romantic relationship and eventually marries a beautiful student from the South-Eastern part of Nigeria.
Their budding romance is threatened by endless military postings, and they face the ultimate test when news of the soldier’s involvement in a botched coup attempt hits the headlines.
Speaking on the movie, the director, M-Net West Africa, Wangi Mba-Uzoukwu, said ’76’ was an adventurous foray into filmmaking in Nigeria.
“It’s an exciting, compelling storyline that many Nigerians and indeed Africans will relate with,” said Ms. Mba-Uzoukwu.
“The directing and production quality are top notch, and the themes celebrate values including courage, loyalty, patience, trust and sacrifice. 76 takes filmmaking up another level in Nigeria and we at Africa Magic are indeed excited to partner with Adonis Productions and Princewill’s trust in bringing this movie to viewers across Africa.”
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 approval and support from the Nigerian Army.
The director of the movie, Izu Ojukwu, described it as a tale of love in the time of war.
“The movie deals with a range of issues including the plight of the African woman, and the usually invisible pain of a soldier’s wife,” he said. “76 highlights the enduring Nigerian cultural values of courage, resilience, patience, loyalty, faith and family and the nation’s ability to surmount all challenges.”
The release of 76 comes four decades after the actual events, and follows four years of work by the director and the production duo of Adonis Productions and Princewill’s Trust. 76 stars renowned Nollywood names including Rita Dominic, Ramsey Nouah, Chidi Mokeme, Ibinabo Fiberesinma, Ada Ofoegbu, Daniel K. Daniel and a host of others.
On his part, the Executive Producer and a patron of the Nigerian Association of Movie Producers, Prince Tonye T.J.T 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.
“The movie’s thematic preoccupation presents a number of questions including the country’s mis-direction amongst many other issues. 76 is the first movie to be shot on film and was thus a very expensive project. We are however very satisfied with the finished work and we know viewers will thoroughly enjoy the movie.”
Thanking the Nigerian Army, M-Net and other sponsors for their support, Mr. Princewill added: “None of all this would be possible without the support we have received and continue to receive. The cast and crew have been phenomenal, and they gave their all to make this movie the success that it is. I’d also like to thank my partners Adonis Production led by Mr. Adonijah for showing me one of the most powerful ways to touch lives – by making movies.”
76 premieres mid-2016 and thereafter comes to screens across the continent courtesy of Africa Magic.
Speaking on the Nigerian Army’s involvement in the movie, the Head Civil-Military Affairs Army Head Quarters, Nicholas Rogers, said the military today had “moved to a different place” from where it was in 1976.
“As the world has evolved, so have we,” said Mr. Rogers, a Major-General.
“The relationship between the army and the people is even more critical. Our true strength comes from our collaboration, and nowhere is it better illustrated than in partnerships such as these.”
Mr. Rogers also reiterated the commitment of the Nigerian Army Leadership to anything positive that tells the true story.
Speaking further, Ms. Mba-Uzoukwu added that 76 was yet another example of the ongoing partnerships between Africa Magic and the leading movie Nigerian production houses.
“Our resolve to continuously improve the Nigerian film industry remains a key part of our investment strategy,” she said.
“Through our ongoing partnerships with Nollywood industry stakeholders, we continue to positively impact Nollywood, a factor that steadily ensures continuous development in the industry even as it also gives us the opportunity to add to the exciting content on our channels.”
