By Dupe Olaoye-Osinkolu
Lights, camera rolling, action! Igede Ekiti came alive recently as theatre-artistes chose the ancient town as the location of Òjòjò Aremo, a new film at the instance of their professional association- ANTP
The actors under the aegis of the Association of Nigeria Theatre-Arts Practitioners scored a new point in the history of theatre arts profession in the country as the new administration led by Dr. Razak Baroka Oyadiran decided to record a film for the national association. The film is to bring together the veterans and practising members on the field of acting to further boost the image of the ANTP and ensure its financial viability.
In a chat with this writer, the ANTP President said, “ANTP is a professional body for theatre-arts practitioners. Acting is our primary business. We must showcase our talents and let the world know we can actually pull our weights. “
The storyline of the new ANTP film spirals around health challenges that defy orthodox medicine and how Africans have over the years handled such in their traditional ways.
“In some countries in Africa, there are issues of metaphysical invocation of illness on people and societies which the best hands in medicine in Europe and Americas may not be able to cure. It takes the deep to call to the deep.
“This is the phenomenon that OJOJO AREMO takes a look at. Ojojo Aremo, a Yoruba movie, is in a traditional setting and examines the intricacies of Yoruba tradition, cultures, and practices to provide a screen content to watch again and again
“The movie is proudly an all ANTP veterans and upcoming flick parading Chief Lere Paimo, MFR, (Eda Onileola); HIgh Chief Ifayemi Elebuibon, the Araba of Osogbo; High Chief Muraina Oyelami, the Eesa of Iragbiji; Chief Oyewole Olowomojuore (Baba Gebu); Alhaja Kuburat Oyin-Adejobi; Chief Salawudeen Azeez, (Elejigbo); Elder Sunday Jegede (Agunkeke); Madam Ayanfe Onibonokuta, Dr. Rasak Oyadiran (Baroka); Chief Mrs. Ronke Ade Love; Mrs. Olakitan Akinyele; Mr. Abiodun Rufai (Oodua); Alfa Yissa Alabi Olorunoje; Mr. Bashiru Sanni (Bashy); Mr. Abiodun Oladosu (Kumapayi); Mr. Samuel Asonibare (Oko); Mrs. Biola Ayeni (A-Pound); Mrs. Mary Edward, Hon. Tanwa Ajibade, Chief Mrs. Nyene Oloko; Elder Gbenro Ajewole; and many others. The movie is shot by Yinka Sanni and Ayo Castro and directed by veteran director Abiodun Adekanbi.
This is historically the first film to be shot by ANTP (National) outside court injunction. The location took off at Aba Ori-Okuta, Ilawe Ekiti, in Ekiti State and was expected to be completed in Ibadan, Oyo State.
