Benin historical film, “Iyeoba”, set for release in cinemas
Lagos, Sept. 20, 2024 (NAN) In a bid to preserve history, Nigerian producer and director, Dr Henry Obidi, on Friday said a Benin historical film, “Iyeoba”, would be released in all cinemas across the country on Sept. 27.
Obidi, at a news conference in Lagos, said the film was meant to deliberately preserve history relating to the Benin kingdom.
According to him, the film translated as “The Ivory”, touches on an aspect of Benin history relating to fight over the iconic Iyeoba mask.
“We have casts like: Ofia Mbaka, Nosa Rex, Lucky Asoa, Hoomsuk Jibrin, Benjamin Olaye, Sam Obiakeme, Henry Legemah, Joy osawaru Akinyemi, Angela Philips, Sim Stevenson, Alex Usifo, Maria Bessa, Ngozi Ezeonu, and more.
“Maria Bessa, a London based producer with decades of experience in film making, produced the London IYEOBA shoot.
“The Edo State Government through Edo Creative Hub and Edo Jobs fostered the production of lyeoba by organising the auditions of hundreds of young actors and provision of exceptional locations used for the film production.”
The film tells the story of ancient Kingdom of Benin, with two communities called Degbueyi, and Ogbehi.
For over a century, these two communities, originally offsprings of two brothers, have been at loggerhead, fighting, and killing each other over the lyeoba Mask.
The mask was handed over to the younger son, Degbueyi, instead of the older son, Ogbehi, as expected by tradition, by their father, lyamu, when it was time for him to choose a new protector for the mask.
Down the line, Idehen (Ofia Mbaka), the lyeoba protector is murdered by Osaretin (Prince Lucky Asoa) and his men from Ogbehi community, creating a vacuum in the position for over 20 years since Efosa, the son of Idehen was too young when his father was murdered.
When he grows up, Efosa (Nosa Rex), repeatedly has a particular dream about his father telling him to get prepared to become the Iyeoba protector.
Efosa, like his father, is a skilled fighter. He, with his group of friends, Bamawo (Benjamin Olaye Jnr), Idiaghe (Hoomsuk) and Adaze (MacBrown Uhunmwangho) fight the Oghehi youth during their attacks on their community.
Abilo (Alex Usifo) Idehen’s Second-in-command shows up after a message from Idehen spirit, and the Council of Elders that Efosa should be made the Protector of lyeoba. Afiagbe (Joy Osawaru-Akinyemi) warns him to stay away from her, and her children because he couldn’t protect her husband from being killed.
Abilo goes on to train Efosa, who is installed as the new Iyeoba Protector.
The Tourism Commissioner, Professor Idemudia (Henry Legemah) is approached by a British Museum to sell the lyeoba Mask to them for 10 million pounds. He tries to locate the mask, but he is unable to, so he resorts to shady means of finding it .
Terry Odaro (Grammy award winning Sim Stevenson) a Kickboxing Champion from Ogbehi community returns home after 15 years in the United States. in giving back to the communities in Benin, where his talent was discovered, he organises a Martial Arts competition. Ironically, Terry is an idol to Efosa. Efosa, his friends, and other 500 youth participate in the trials for the finals, Efosa emerges one of the 2 finalists.
A cold-blooded murder leads to heated clashes between both communities leading to the loss of lives, and properties. The culprits are eventually caught, and brought to book, and out of the lingering effects of the clashes, emerges a peaceful, and lasting resolution between the 2 communities.
Joy Osawaru-Akinyemi was the Creative Director and Rev Steve Mario, the project coordinator.
