Desmond Elliot has shown us that he is a jack of a lot of trades. From acting to directing, Desmond shows his passion and skill on the job. The latest feat from this actor turned director is his directing of a Yoruba movie called ‘Unforgiveable’. The movie was produced by Dayo Amusa and should be hitting the cinemas later in the year. the movie stars A-list acts like Mike Ezuronye, Dayo Amusa, Bukky Wright, Desmond Elliot, Ibironke Ashaolu, Fathia Balogun,Bimbo Thomas,Wale Alabi and Iyabo Ojo.
The movie goes thus: Damola (acted by Mike Ezuruonye) is a man who’s ultimate vice is his pride. He cannot accept the undiluted love given to him by his wife, Sewa (acted by Dayo Amusa) who is an ideal woman; almost sacrificing everything to keep her home and satisfy her husband. Richard (acted by Desmond Elliot) is a cultured man who lacks the courage to express his feelings towards the woman he loves.
Months after she declared interest to go into movie production, Screen Diva Ini Edo has finally decided to put her dreams to screen as she produces her first movie, “Memories of My Heart”, which will be premiered on the 15th of October at 10A Ikoya Avenue, off Macpherson Street, off Bourdillion Road, Ikoyi, Lagos.
Memories of My Heart which promises to be a block buster was co-produced with Emem Isong and tells the story of Halle an aspiring actress who had atteneded several auditions without getting a role. She finally gets her chance when she claims to be Bankole Da Silva’s fiancée, an oil magnate she’s never met. She’s given the role on the condition that Bankole funds the movie. Halle now struggles to get out of the web she has spun for herself. Just as Halle gets Bankole’s attention, Bankole suffers a terrible accident leaving him with amnesia. Dr. Dammie, a female doctor nurses him back to health and into her waiting arms. As the relationship deepens, Halle re-appears on the scene throwing Bankole into a state of confusion.
Disclosing what the movie is all about, the sultry actress said, “Memories of my heart” is a love story. Its a feel-good movie to make you fall in love again and I assure you, after watching it, you will’.
‘Memories of my Heart’ stars Ramsey Nouah, Ini (herself), Uche Jombo, Nse Ikpe-Etim, Koffi Adjorlolo, Monalisa Chinda, Desmond Elliot and many others.
Actor and Director Desmond Elliot is a dad as his wife gave birth to a set of twins – a boy and a girl yesterday on thursday, 16th of September.
This would be the second set of twins for the actor and his wife. Three year ago, his wife gave birth to their first twin – Desmond Jr and Denzel. Mother and babies are said to be fine and recuperating.
Colleague of his and actress Uche Jumbo took to Twitter to announce her excitement for the actor – she wrote thus: “Just woke up with gd news fr ma brother fr another mother! Oh my God! Looks like I am a godmother@deselliot”
Desmond Elliot, Emem Isong and Stephenie Okoronkwo
August 8, leading Nollywood producer Emem Isong invited top shots within and outside the movie industry to the Silverbird Galleria where the premiere of Bursting Out and Holding Hope took place.
The star studded red carpet event was crowded by fans, paparazzi, diginitaries and movie celebs. Spotted was actor Majid Michel, Omoni Oboli, Stephanie Okereke, Nadia Buari, Genevieve Nnaji and many others, All present to support the producers of the movie - Emem Isong, Uche Jombo and Desmond Elliot.
Pr4ess representative from both local and international media houses were also present including Reuters and MNET’s Studio 53 Extra.
The red carpet and paparazzi shots took place just after guest entry and then there were ushered upstairs to the cinema to watch the movies. Huge was the crowd that some stood at the back of the hall to see the movie.
The screening began at 7pm with ‘Bursting Out’ and ‘Holding Hope’ followed immediately.
The crowd dispersed with smiles and signs of satisfaction with the goodie bags guest received as the exited the venue.
There was an argument about its pioneering claim in Nigeria but what is certain is Kajola is a noteworthy and quick to be tagged trailblazing effort from Niyi Akinmolayan. Kajola which translates as ‘commonwealth’ in the Yoruba dialect is from the stable of Port Harcourt based record label and film studio Adonai Production. CGI is an acronym for Computer generated Images and ‘Kajola’ combines real images/camera shots of Lagos and abstract computer generated illustration to deliver a story shot in the year 2059 and the plot is Lagos, Nigeria. A rebel leader, Allen is born that is played by Adonijah Owiriwa compulsed by the torn Lagos state after a second civil war – The rich relocate to the island area of the state, transforming their side of town while the mainlanders were abandoned. Allen led a rebellion against the government in a plot codenamed ‘Kajola’ . Police Chief Yetunde [played by Keira Hewatch] is to stop the rebellion. Somewhere into the movie, they came to a realization – that they were lied to. “It is a story of love, lust and struggle for power” in Niyi Akinmolayan’s words. “We have told the same story in a different premise using sci – fi as a medium and using special effects” the director/writer added.
Still can’t picture what the movie might be? Imagine a music video director Clarence Peters taking the video for Mike Anyasodo’s fine fine lady and making it into a 90 minutes flick or a PXC doing a music video of the mentioned length for M.I.’s safe or Djinee’s Overkilling – one doesn’t need to be a technie to understand it’s a herculean task that requires team and perseverance. The script was written five years ago by Niyi Akinmolayan, the director who is a self taught visual effect compositor.
The Team
At a press conference held on the 9th of June, the Director explained how the movie was inspired by his relocation from the mainland to the island and Charles Dickens’ tales of two cities. Besides been a CGI movie, It might also interest you that the movie gulped a 130 million budget and lasted a production period of 18 months. Camera shots were taken in Lagos but moved to Port Harcourt for editing, special effects and post production. The challenge with power since relying on the grid system would be unwise was to acquire six generating sets with 40 dual core computer systems used to simulate the explosion scenes in the movie. The characters were not generated, Desmond Elliot played the power drunk Inspector General of Police, less known acts Adonijah Owiriwa, TJ Morgan, Cassandra Odita and Keira Hewatch of ‘Dear Mother’, ‘Tinsel’ and ‘Just the two of us’ soap opera fame starred in Kajola. Lead actors took professional one-month marital art classes and their leather costumes were hand made to suit each character – is that enough appetizer to see the movie? Kajola would be available on the 30th of July at the Cinemas.
When the budget was mentioned – check for the sponsors produced Riverdrill Group, New dawn and Greater Port-Harcourt City project by the River State government.
Stating clearly that a movie can’t not be reviewed from a trailer but it serves well as a window and a decision should be reached after seeing one but only appropriate that a review comes after the screening to happen a week before the movie is available in cinemas.
The movie wouldn’t pass with its criticism [draw from watching just the trailer] – deciding to leave out the underwhelming CGI that doesn’t enhance the movie’s sense of realism as it is a springing effort from Anthill and Niyi, one would notice conspicuously the flaws with the make up. The benchmark is the average science fiction already available in the Nigerian market largely from Hollywood and Kajola should achieve in terms of realism something close – the 130 million naira budget gets mentioned and James Cameron’s Avatar set in Lagos is expected. While the actual plot mechanics of Kajola are inventive, still can’t be said if the world set in 2059 where the characters inhabit makes sense but the trailer clearly shows underwhelming CGI that doesn’t enhance the movie’s sense of realism. A trailer is expected to tell a movie story or feature best shots from a movie, What this movie’s trailer holds is not the storyline but is it compelling enough to make a fan? you would have to answer that . Watch below:
But if you’re not one to judge a book by its cover, you should then shoved this article [I intend to be the first set of persons to see the movie in cinema]and wait till the movie is released/premiered on the 3oth of July on the Pan African cinema network where it would be in cinemas across Africa – Silverbird Cinemas would be premiering the movie and over 40 other cinemas.
