Large turn out at the premiere of Rita Dominic's "The Meeting"

The film, The meeting, has been much talked about and so was the premiere held last Friday in Lagos. The Oriental Hotel conference hall, venue of the premiere, was filled with the crème de la crème of the society. The stamp of President Goodluck Jonathan’s office lit up the evening as the minister for Petroleum Resources, Deziani Allison-Madueke, stood in for him and delivered his speech. Acknowledging the capacity of the entertainment industry to do more for Nigeria than the much-hyped petroleum sector, the president, among other issues, stated that from a humble beginning, Nollywood is more prolific than Hollywood.

Even the Vice-President, Namadi Sambo, was represented by Alhaji Umar Sanni. Others present were Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers state, who came in company with Senator Magnus Abe, Mr. Oronto Douglas, Special Adviser to the President on Research, Documentation and Strategy, Alhaji Musa Bello, Senator Florence Ita Giwa, Princess Abah Folawiyo, Erelu Abiola Dosunmu and Mr. Tonye Cole.

The hall, which was decorated by Ibidun Ighodalo’s Elizabeth R, was a sight. Guests marvelled at the large black/white cut-outs of actors that turned the red carpet to 1950s Hollywood. The premiere was also a gathering of movie stars. Quite a number of household names including, Joke Jacobs, Chioma Chukwuka, Funke Akindele, Jide Kosoko, Basorge Tariah, Kate Henshaw, Nse Ikpe Etim, Mahmood Alli-Balogun, Izu Chukwu, Zik Zulu Okafor and a host of others, were present. The event also had leading musicians such as Tuface Idibia, Dare Art Alade, El Dee, Tiwa Savage, Weird MC, Omawumi, Waje and Lami in attendance.

In her vote of thanks, Rita Dominic, who looked stunning in a floor-length sequined electric blue gown, thanked President Jonathan and everyone who contributed to the making of the flick. She asked for prayers and support for victims of natural disasters all over the country assuring that Nollywood was on a path to glory.

The movie

It is a romantic comedy from the stable of the Audrey Silva Company. The meeting comically tells a typical Nigerian story without missing the salient issues of the need for good governance and citizenship. The first cinematic production from the company, (its name is a combination of late British-born Hollywood sensation, Audrey Hepburn, and Nigeria’s Joke Silva). It was formed by Rita Dominic and Mildred Okwo (who directed the movie) to project the African voice. Watch the trailer.