Monalisa Chinda and Benjamin Joseph
This year, will like no other year witness the release of so many movies from those considered as the godfathers of what has come to be known globally as Nollywood.
Already, a number of the flick have been premiered while a whole lot of others will soon undergo the ritual of been premiered before they are thrown into the market for film loving Nigerians.
A number of these movies including Chico Ejiro’s First Cut is the Deepest, Tunde Kelani’s Dazzling Mirage and Chico Ejiro’s When Dreams Fall Apart have been scheduled for first quarter release.
It is most likely that the curtain raiser for the season would be the emotive movie First Cut is the Deepest. The movie is produced by Lisa Henry Omorodion and it parades two of Nollywood’s notable actors, Monalisa Chinda and Joseph Benjamin. The movie, which was premiered to a select guest at the Eko Hotels and Suites on the last Sunday of 2013, also had Bobby Obodo in a lead role.
Set in Lagos, the story of First Cut is the story of KC Morgan, a young woman who was physically and emotionally violated on her 18th birthday. She suspects that it was her father who raped her but wonder why Akin Morgan, a father that has shown her so much love and singlehandedly raised her would choose to defile her.
She lives with that dark past and the unanswered question on why anyone would want to leave her depressed and traumatized all the days of her life. She tries to forget that dark past but an encounter with a male figure brings back that past. Things begin to look good, even though a bit complicated when she lands a job in a fashion outfit and later came face to face with an old crush.
Events begin to unfold and the search for the elusive happiness for KC begins from that point.
Though, the movie is in dire need of post-production redemption, First Cut is the Deepest is likely to resonate because it takes on a very important narrative like the after effect of rape and sexual abuse that is rarely explored in Nollywood movies. This is explored fairly well in First Cut, though there are plot holes and gaps in the narrative.
A movie enthusiast Adoara Chukwu who attended the premiere that was spiced with musical performances by Nneka and Omawunmi and hosted by Helen Paul and Big Brother Africa All Stars winner and Show host Uti Nwachukwu, described the movie as timely and insightful. She commended the producer (Lisa Omorodion) for choosing to begin her career as a producer with an issue based film other than the usual love based stories that abound.
“For a first time producer and actress, this is commendable. Not too many first time producers want to take on sensitive issues like this. I consider the theme timely and relevant,’’ she said. Samson Adeloju, a movie buff said there is a lot to learn from the movie.
“There is a lot to learn from it. From the effect of a troubled home, raising children as single parents to how we handle the issue of rape. Thank God the protagonist found some measure of happiness at the end and this is what others in similar situations must try and do. It should not be the end of the road. They should pick up their lives and move on’’ he said.
An elated Lisa Omorodion said she was encouraged by the attendance and comments of guests at the premiere. She paid tribute to her parents for their financial and moral support and assured that she will continue to contribute her quota to the development of Nollywood through her production outfit.
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