Tag: Netflix

Fans blast Netflix for showing Titanic after submarine tragedy

Following the release of “The Deepest Breath”, Netflix has come under fire by fans who were left disgusted over the streaming company’s decision to show Titanic just days after the submarine tragedy.

The documentary`s trailer was released in the midst of a search mission for a missing Titan submarine.

The giant streaming platform was criticised for its poor timing and insensitivity. Several social media users opined online that promoting a documentary about diving depths was highly inappropriate given the recent submersible tragedy.

Netflix shared the trailer on Twitter with a caption that reads, “In freediving, a single breath can be the difference between life or death. The Deepest Breath, a new documentary, expected to be out by July 19.”

The Deepest Breath showcases the life story of Alessia Zecchini, who holds the current world record for freediving. The trailer of the freediving documentary, which was released on June 20, shows Zecchini diving deep into the ocean. Freediving is a diving technique which follows natural breath-holding rather than any other gear.

The around-the-clock search for the Titan submersible reached its tragic end last week.

The five people aboard the submersible were killed after the vessel imploded deep in the North Atlantic. Debris from the submersible was found roughly 1,600 feet from the Titanic’s wreckage.

The announcement was made by the US Coast Guard when the submersible’s 96-hour supply of air ran out.

The Deepest Breath will be released on July 19.

June 28, 2023
Oscars 2023: “All Quiet on the Western Front” wins best cinematography (FULL LIST)

Popular Netflix’s “All Quiet on the Western Front” has earned the best cinematography category of the 2023 Oscars.

Cinematographer James Friend said in his speech, “Well it’s not my birthday, but it feels like it is. What an honour.”

All Quiet on the Western Front is a 2022 German-language epic anti-war film based on the 1929 novel of the same name by Erich Maria Remarque.

TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that the 95th Academy Awards are officially underway at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, with Jimmy Kimmel hosting the ceremony for the third time.

“Everything Everywhere All at Once” leads the pack with 11 nominations, with “All Quiet on the Western Front” and “The Banshees of Inisherin” following with nine nods each.

Presenters include Harrison Ford, Halle Berry, Kate Hudson, Mindy Kaling, Eva Longoria, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Andie MacDowell, Elizabeth Olsen, Pedro Pascal, John Travolta and many more stars.

Here is the full list of Oscar nominees and winners

Best Production Design

“All Quiet on the Western Front” — production design by Christian M. Goldbeck, set decoration by Ernestine Hipper

“Avatar: The Way of Water” — production design by Dylan Cole and Ben Procter, set decoration by Vanessa Cole

“Babylon” — production design by Florencia Martin, set decoration by Anthony Carlino

“Elvis” — production design by Catherine Martin and Karen Murphy, set decoration by Bev Dunn

“The Fabelmans” — production design by Rick Carter, set decoration by Karen O’Hara

Best Animated Short Film

“The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse” — Charlie Mackesy and Matthew Freud

“The Flying Sailor” — Amanda Forbis and Wendy Tilby

“Ice Merchants” — João Gonzalez and Bruno Caetano

“My Year of Dicks” — Sara Gunnarsdóttir and Pamela Ribon

“An Ostrich Told Me the World Is Fake and I Think I Believe It” — Lachlan Pendragon

Best Documentary Short Film

“The Elephant Whisperers” — Kartiki Gonsalves and Guneet Monga

“Haulout” — Evgenia Arbugaeva and Maxim Arbugaev

“How Do You Measure a Year?” — Jay Rosenblatt

“The Martha Mitchell Effect” — Anne Alvergue and Beth Levison

“Stranger at the Gate” — Joshua Seftel and Conall Jones

Best International Feature Film

“All Quiet on the Western Front” (Germany)

“Argentina, 1985” (Argentina)

“Close” (Belgium)

“EO” (Poland)

“The Quiet Girl” (Ireland)

Best Costume Design

“Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” — Ruth E. Carter

“Babylon” — Mary Zophres

“Elvis” — Catherine Martin

“Everything Everywhere All at Once” — Shirley Kurata

“Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris” — Jenny Beavan

Best Makeup and Hairstyling

“The Whale” — Adrien Morot, Judy Chin and Anne Marie Bradley

“All Quiet on the Western Front” — Heike Merker and Linda Eisenhamerová

“The Batman” — Naomi Donne, Mike Marino and Mike Fontaine

“Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” — Camille Friend and Joel Harlow

“Elvis” — Mark Coulier, Jason Baird and Aldo Signoretti

Best Cinematography

“All Quiet on the Western Front” — James Friend

“Bardo, False Chronicle of a Handful of Truths” — Darius Khondji

“Elvis” — Mandy Walker

“Empire of Light” — Roger Deakins

“Tár” — Florian Hoffmeister

Best Live Action Short

“An Irish Goodbye” — Tom Berkeley and Ross White

“Ivalu” — Anders Walter and Rebecca Pruzan

“Le Pupille” — Alice Rohrwacher and Alfonso Cuarón

“Night Ride” — Eirik Tveiten and Gaute Lid Larssen

“The Red Suitcase” — Cyrus Neshvad

Best Documentary Feature Film

“Navalny” — Daniel Roher, Odessa Rae, Diane Becker, Melanie Miller and Shane Boris

“All That Breathes” — Shaunak Sen, Aman Mann and Teddy Leifer

“All the Beauty and the Bloodshed” — Laura Poitras, Howard Gertler, John Lyons, Nan Goldin and Yoni Golijov

“Fire of Love” — Sara Dosa, Shane Boris and Ina Fichman

“A House Made of Splinters” — Simon Lereng Wilmont and Monica Hellström

Best Supporting Actress

Jamie Lee Curtis (“Everything Everywhere All at Once”)

Angela Bassett (“Black Panther: Wakanda Forever”)

Hong Chau (“The Whale”)

Kerry Condon (“The Banshees of Inisherin”)

Stephanie Hsu (“Everything Everywhere All at Once”)

Best Supporting Actor

Ke Huy Quan (“Everything Everywhere All at Once”)

Brendan Gleeson (“The Banshees of Inisherin”)

Brian Tyree Henry (“Causeway”)

Judd Hirsch (“The Fabelmans”)

Barry Keoghan (“The Banshees of Inisherin”)

Best Animated Feature Film

“Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio” — Guillermo del Toro, Mark Gustafson, Gary Ungar and Alex Bulkley

“Marcel the Shell With Shoes On” — Dean Fleischer Camp, Elisabeth Holm, Andrew Goldman, Caroline Kaplan and Paul Mezey

“Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” — Joel Crawford and Mark Swift

“The Sea Beast” — Chris Williams and Jed Schlanger

“Turning Red” — Domee Shi and Lindsey Collins

Best Picture

“All Quiet on the Western Front” — Malte Grunert, producer

“Avatar: The Way of Water” — James Cameron and Jon Landau, producers

“The Banshees of Inisherin” — Graham Broadbent, Pete Czernin and Martin McDonagh, producers

“Elvis” — Baz Luhrmann, Catherine Martin, Gail Berman, Patrick McCormick and Schuyler Weiss, producers

“Everything Everywhere All at Once” — Daniel Kwan, Daniel Scheinert and Jonathan Wang, producers

“The Fabelmans” — Kristie Macosko Krieger, Steven Spielberg and Tony Kushner, producers

“Tár” — Todd Field, Alexandra Milchan and Scott Lambert, producers

“Top Gun: Maverick” — Tom Cruise, Christopher McQuarrie, David Ellison and Jerry Bruckheimer, producers

“Triangle of Sadness” — Erik Hemmendorff and Philippe Bober, producers

“Women Talking” — Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner and Frances McDormand, producers

Best Director

Martin McDonagh (“The Banshees of Inisherin”)

Daniel Kwan, Daniel Scheinert (“Everything Everywhere All at Once”)

Steven Spielberg (“The Fabelmans”)

Todd Field (“Tár”)

Ruben Östlund (“Triangle of Sadness”)

Best Lead Actor

Austin Butler (“Elvis”)

Colin Farrell (“The Banshees of Inisherin”)

Brendan Fraser (“The Whale”)

Paul Mescal (“Aftersun”)

Bill Nighy (“Living”)

Best Lead Actress

Cate Blanchett (“Tár”)

Ana de Armas (“Blonde”)

Andrea Riseborough (“To Leslie”)

Michelle Williams (“The Fabelmans”)

Michelle Yeoh (“Everything Everywhere All at Once”)

Best Adapted Screenplay

“All Quiet on the Western Front” — Edward Berger, Lesley Paterson and Ian Stokell

“Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery” — Rian Johnson

“Living” — Kazuo Ishiguro

“Top Gun: Maverick” — screenplay by Ehren Kruger, Eric Warren Singer and Christopher McQuarrie; story by Peter Craig and Justin Marks

“Women Talking” — Sarah Polley

Best Original Screenplay

“The Banshees of Inisherin” — Martin McDonagh

“Everything Everywhere All at Once” — Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert

“The Fabelmans” — Steven Spielberg and Tony Kushner

“Tár” — Todd Field

“Triangle of Sadness” — Ruben Östlund

Best Film Editing

“The Banshees of Inisherin” — Mikkel E.G. Nielsen

“Elvis” — Matt Villa and Jonathan Redmond

“Everything Everywhere All at Once” — Paul Rogers

“Tár” — Monika Willi

“Top Gun: Maverick” — Eddie Hamilton

Best Original Song

“Applause” from “Tell It Like a Woman” — music and lyric by Diane Warren

“Hold My Hand” from “Top Gun: Maverick” — music and lyric by Lady Gaga and BloodPop

“Lift Me Up” from “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” — music by Tems, Rihanna, Ryan Coogler and Ludwig Goransson; lyric by Tems and Ryan Coogler

“Naatu Naatu” from “RRR” — music by M.M. Keeravaani, lyric by Chandrabose

“This Is a Life” from “Everything Everywhere All at Once” — music by Ryan Lott, David Byrne and Mitski; lyric by Ryan Lott and David Byrne

Best Visual Effects

“All Quiet on the Western Front” — Frank Petzold, Viktor Müller, Markus Frank and Kamil Jafar

“Avatar: The Way of Water” — Joe Letteri, Richard Baneham, Eric Saindon and Daniel Barrett

“The Batman” — Dan Lemmon, Russell Earl, Anders Langlands and Dominic Tuohy

“Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” — Geoffrey Baumann, Craig Hammack, R. Christopher White and Dan Sudick

“Top Gun: Maverick” — Ryan Tudhope, Seth Hill, Bryan Litson and Scott R. Fisher

Best Original Score

“All Quiet on the Western Front” — Volker Bertelmann

“Babylon” — Justin Hurwitz

“The Banshees of Inisherin” — Carter Burwell

“Everything Everywhere All at Once” — Son Lux

“The Fabelmans” — John Williams

Best Sound

“All Quiet on the Western Front” — Viktor Prášil, Frank Kruse, Markus Stemler, Lars Ginzel and Stefan Korte

“Avatar: The Way of Water” — Julian Howarth, Gwendolyn Yates Whittle, Dick Bernstein, Christopher Boyes, Gary Summers and Michael Hedges

“The Batman” — Stuart Wilson, William Files, Douglas Murray and Andy Nelson

“Elvis” — David Lee, Wayne Pashley, Andy Nelson and Michael Keller

“Top Gun: Maverick” — Mark Weingarten, James H. Mather, Al Nelson, Chris Burdon and Mark Taylor

March 13, 2023
Shanty Town Producer, Ini Edo speaks on lessons to be picked from the movie

Award-winning Nollywood actor, Ini Edo, who scored another hit in her career line by making her international debut with the production of the ‘Shanty Town‘ movie for Netflix, has said her latest movie is to reveal what women go through in society “whereby nobody was talking about”.

Nigerian popular Netflix series ‘Shanty Town’ has been trending for days after the movie premiered on Netflix a few days ago.

While some people have praised the producers and cast for executing their roles perfectly, others have trashed the importance of the movie.

Ini Edo, a producer of the movie, has disclosed how the script was written and some lessons to be picked from the movie.

Revealing her inspiration for the script and movie, Ini Edo stated that she was inspired to tell Nollywood stories, Nigerian stories, in the way she thought they should be told.

Speaking about her response to people who described the movie as a movie without any lesson, Ini Edo stated: “Why this script? This script is just that we realized there is a need to tell this story.

“It was something happening in society whereby nobody was talking about. About women, the slave trade, and the kind of businesses that go on behind the scenes. Prostitution is really big all over the world.

“But whereby people in authority are thriving off of this industry. One of the things that we needed to bring to light.

“The fact that women had a lot to do with women, and with kids. And how much more they should be protected and what they are actually going through. And the fact that there is a part of this world that some of us don’t get to experience. But it is actually happening.

“So I needed people who are sitting up there who are probably unaware that some things like this are going on in our society to know that we need to fix it.”

January 26, 2023
“The body on display was not mine”- Nancy speaks on body-double in ‘Shanty Town’

Nollywood star and media personality, Nancy Isime, has given an insight into how the scene where she went ‘totally unclad’ in the new Netflix movie, Shanty Town, was shot, saying “the body on display was not mine”.

In the crime and action film, which dropped on the giant streaming app on Friday, January 20, Isime played the character, Shalewa.

Responding to questions on the controversial nude scene where veteran actor, Richard Mofe Damijo, who played Chief Fernandez in the movie, groped her breast and ass, the actress revealed that the body on display was not hers but that of her body double.

The movie has been trending since its release, following a stellar performance from cast members like Chidi Mokeme, Nse Ikpe Etim, Shaffy Bello Mercy Eke, Richard Mofe Damijo, Ini Edo, Nancy Isime, and others.

TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that Nancy, who hails from Edo State, began a career as an actress in the TV series Echoes in 2011.

She is also a television presenter, known for presenting the gossip show “The Squeeze”, the technology show “What’s Hot”, and backstage segments of MTN Project Fame season 7.

In 2016 she replaced Toke Makinwa as the presenter of the popular show Trending on HipTV. She co-hosted the 2019 edition of The Headies award with Reminisce.

She was also the presenter of The Voice Nigeria 2021. In 2019, Nancy launched her own TV show which she called The Nancy Isime Show.

In 2020, she co-hosted The Headies award with Bovi. In 2022, she starred in the Netflix original series Blood Sisters, playing the lead role of Kemi, produced by Ebonylife TV studio which is owned by Mo Abudu.

January 21, 2023
Ini Edo’s ‘Shanty Town’ makes debut on Netflix

The much-anticipated series by Nollywood actress Ini Edo, ‘Shanty Town, made its debut on Netflix on Friday, as fans hailed their favourite actors in the series.

Fans took to their Twitter pages to hail reality TV star, Mercy Eke, who made her Netflix debut with the series, alongside other top actors like Chidi Mokeme, Richard Mofe Damijo, Nse Ikpe-Etim, Sola Shobowale, Shaffy Bello, nancy Isime and a plethora of A-list stars.

Created by Xavier Ighorodje and Chichi Nworah, ‘Shanty Town’ is a six-part series that follows the story of three Lagos-based hustlers who unite to wage war against the biggest and most ruthless crime ring in the state.

Hailing Mercy for her role, @SteveChuks_ tweeted, “Mercy Eke is ‘finishing’ this acting in this Shanty Town series.”

Another fan, @Thedeluxejojo, said, “Mercy Eke tried for someone who is new to acting, especially that scene when she got teary when Scar was about to kill her. all she needs is some coaching and she is good to go.”

Showering praise on other members of the cast, @Ellathefourth wrote, “Chidi Mokeme killed his role in #Shantytown. I missed Ini Edo on the screens as well!”

@iampreciousjeff wrote, “Let’s cut right to the chase. Every actor in “Shanty Town” gave an absolute performance! Hearing Ini Edo and Nse Ikpe-Etim speak Ibibio was a delight for me as an Efik girl! OMG! the emotions I felt about Jackie’s (Mercy Eke’s) character.”

Praising Mokeme, @ObiageliSpeaks tweeted, “Seeing Chidi Mokeme in Shanty Town is giving me so much joy. How I have missed this man on my screens. He has not aged at all!”

TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that ‘Shanty Town’, is a Crime Thriller Starring Chidi Mokeme, Ini Edo and Nse Ikpe-Etim, directed by Dimeji Ajibola, Premiering on Netflix on January 20, as a limited series.

This will possibly mark the first brand-new release heading to the streamer in 2023. Produced by Giant Creative Studios, principal photography ending in 2021, Shanty Town has now been acquired as a Netflix original series.

January 20, 2023
Netflix invests N9 billion in Nigeria film industry

Global streaming service, Netflix, on Friday said it had invested nine billion naira in the Nigeria film industry from year 2016 to 2022.

Ms Shola Sanni, Director of Public Policy for Sub-Saharan Africa, Netflix, made this known at the second Nigeria Digital Content Regulation Conference held in Lagos.

The two-day event had in attendance stakeholders in the local and international streaming services, independent producers, Free-To-Air, Pay TV Operators, Telcos, content creators and other operators in the film industry.

Sanni stated that this was done through converting local film titles, capacity building and infrastructure development in the industry.

She noted that Netflix had invested in over 200 local licensed titles, co-produced and commissioned original film content.

According to her, 125 films and TV series are available on Netflix as at November 2022.

The Netflix official said the streaming service was investing heavily to ensure that all subscribers across the world enjoyed the same content at will.

“We love Nigeria and believe in it and that is why we are investing in the Nigeria film industry to entertain Nigerians and the world, with the best-in-class stories from the country.

“We are poised to tell stories that are not only interesting in Nigeria, but in other 189 countries where Netflix is present,” she said.

In his welcome address, Executive Director, National Film And Video Censors Board (NFVCB), Alh. Adedayo Thomas, said the conference was an avenue to discuss regulations in the film industry, with focus on streaming services.

Thomas stated that the conference which started in 2021, was geared toward beinging balance and equity to the ecosystem especially with the disruption of the digital era.

“The overall goal of this conference is to create a platform for robust dialogue between the government, through the regulator and the Video-on-Demand (VOD) platforms.

“This is led by the Over-The-Top Streamers, as the government strives to oversee, monitor, moderate and balance the digital phenomenon for all players.

“As the shift from traditional to digital content consumption and the operations of local and international Over-The-Top (OTT) streaming services continue to impact on the growth of the local film industry in Nigeria.

“It has become imperative to convene the second edition of this conference,” he said.

The NFVCB boss lauded its partners and sponsors, led by NETFLIX, for extending a hand of partnership to the industry.

In his goodwill message, Prof. Sunday Ododo, General Manager /CEO, National Arts Theatre, Nigeria, commended Thomas for his tenacity in pushing for a robust awareness on what the industry is doing .

Ododo said that the massive ongoing construction of over 100 million dollars at the National Theatre was geared toward making the venue super exotic for performances and exhibitions.

“Work has reached an advanced stage, and part of the facility ready. We will do test run between Nov. 14 and Nov. 18, 2022, ” he said.

November 12, 2022
Terra Kulture receives Netflix support for its Creative Industry Programmes

Leading educational and recreational organisation, Terra Kulture, has received a financial donation from the global streaming platform, Netflix.

A statement on Friday by the Lagos-based firm said the donation follows the recent announcement by Netflix to extend the Creative Equity Scholarship Fund for film and television students to select West and Central African countries to study at partner universities in Nigeria, Ghana, Benin and Gabon.

The donation received will further the organisation’s effort to promote the richness and diversity of the Nigerian arts and culture sector.

“The support fund will be directed to industry and community-focused areas of engagement which include academic training, theatre, gallery, and bookstore. It is also intended to ensure cultural programming in Nigeria while promoting the various artistic and cultural projects led by Terra Kulture,” they said.

Commenting further on the philanthropic gesture, Bolanle Austen-Peters, the Chief Executive Officer of Terra Kulture, said: “We’re delighted to receive this donation from Netflix. It would be helpful to take our ongoing projects to the next step.”

According to her, since 2003, Terra Kulture has been at the forefront of promoting Nigeria’s art and culture through exhibitions; indigenous restaurant; and storytelling through its award-winning plays and movies. “Over these years, we have developed an in-depth understanding of arts, culture, and languages to impact the next generation most effectively. With the financial support received, Terra Kulture Academy for the Arts aims to fulfil its mission to support, upskill and inspire Nigeria’s creative youths through educational and recreational programs that will yield multiplicative benefits to themselves, their families, communities, and the overall Nigerian creative economy.”

Terra Kulture has trained more than 2,000 youth in theatre lighting design, sound design, costume design, batik, tie and dye, makeup, hairstyling, production, acting, directing, production management, props management, and set design, animation, choreography, and motion graphics for stage plays.

In a bid to formalize the skilling efforts, the organization launched Terra Academy for the Arts (TAFTA), which is a free-to-attend training created to formally empower young creatives with relevant skills across key sub-sectors in theatre. The programme is designed to provide training on key technical production skills for the creative industry as well as an entrepreneurial module for students to learn about the industry’s business side.

Quoting a new report on Nigeria’s creative industry, the statement said the creative industry is now positioned as Nigeria’s second-largest employer of labour and has the potential to produce 2.7 million additional jobs by 2025. Also, it is projected to contribute 5 trillion Naira to the country’s GDP, thereby making the sector a significant contributor to the economy of Nigeria, which is Africa’s largest economy.

According to the statement, the intervention is aligned with Netflix’s commitment to supporting artistic and cultural projects, and a part of their creative industry support fund in Nigeria.

Recently, the global streaming giant extended its Creative Equity Scholarship Fund to include academic institutions in Central and West Africa. The CESF will be distributed to various initiatives over the next five years to build a strong, diverse pipeline of creatives around the world.

October 3, 2022
Collision Course premieres on Netflix September 2

Bolanle Austen-Peters (BAP) Productions, the producers of award winning films, “93 DAYS”, “Bling Lagosians” and “Man of God” is happy to announce the premiere on Netflix of their multiple award-winning blockbuster, COLLISION COURSE.

In a statement issued in Lagos on Wednesday, COLLISION COURSE will be available on Netflix from Friday September 2 for a universal release.

COLLISION COURSE was directed by Bolanle Austen-Peters, and produced by Joseph Umoibom and James Amuta.

Featuring Chioma Akpotha, Daniel Etim Effiong, Kelechi Udegbe, Ade Laoye, Kenneth Okolie, Bimbo Manuel, Gregory Ojefua, Bamike Olawunmi-Adenibuyan (BamBam), Kalu Ikeagwu, and Nobert Young, Collision is a heart thumping story told in 24 hours that dives into the lives of a police officer, a young up and coming artiste and some rogue element in the society. The movie is set against the background of widespread agitations against police brutality in Nigeria and how youths were ready to make their voices heard.

Regarded as one of Mrs. Austen-Peters’ most accomplished works, ‘Collision Course’ has earned national acclaim since its Nigerian premiere last October 2021 as the closing film for the prestigious African Film Festival (AFRIFF), where it earned Kelechi Udegbe the Best Actor In A Lead Role award.

It also picked two out of the four awards for which it was nominated at the African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA).

And early this year, the film emerged as West Africa’s Best Movie at the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards (AMVCA).

Bolanle Austen-Peters Production is a leading multi-purpose production and content creating company in the areas of film, television, documentaries, series and stage productions.

‘Collision Course’ is their latest film on Netflix after ‘Bling Lagosians’ and ‘Man of God’.

August 13, 2022
Magical Night As Bolanle Austen-Peters’ Debut Netflix Film, Man Of God, Premieres

Last Saturday was a special night for lovers of good movies at the exclusive premiere of The Man of God, the latest film by Mrs Bolanle Austen-Peters.

The atmosphere was lit and convivial as everybody showed up looking heavenly glamorous for the first Netflix original movie by the hard-working and dynamic lady of the stage.

The special premiere was the prelude to the premiere of the film this Saturday April 16 on the global streaming giant, Netflix.

It was such a beautiful sight to behold, right from the colourful red-carpet event, to the star-studded screening and the energetic after-party, all at the prestigious Terra Kulture Arena in Victoria Island Lagos.

The Man Of God tells the moving story of Samuel (Akah Nnani), a son of a Pastor who runs away from home to pursue his worldly cravings.

He starts off as an undergraduate afrobeat musician with fast life involving ladies and booze in tow.

Hard times and romantic overtures lead him to singing in a church but eventually branches out to float his own church all in a bid to make quick returns and live big.

Torn among several women and hounded by the law, Samuel eventually suffers the fate that awaits those who call the name of God in vain. His redemption lies in retracing his steps back to his humble, God-fearing beginnings.

For this intensely entertaining musical movie, stars in the film, celebrities and VIPs turned out in their best to applaud Austen-Peters’ latest creative effort for the motion picture industry.

The after-party was one that will remain in the memories of many people for a long time. From the decor and amazing ambiance to the food and the music, it was a party to remember.

It was Nnani’s first lead role ever in a film, and the young handsome man did justice to the role that required him to sing, dance and give a rare method acting. He was all smiles with his wife by his side at the premiere and after-party.

So were other stars of the movie at the premiere, which included the delectable Osas Ighodaro, Dorcas Shola Fapson, Atlanta Bridget Johnson, Olumide Oworu who came with his mother and manager; Mawuli Gavor, Patrick Doyele and Eucharia Anunobi among others.

Produced and directed by Bolanle Austen-Peters, other producers on the project are Joseph Umoibom and James Amuta while the renowned Lance Gewer, as Director of Photography, ensured that the movie’s shots and general cinematography were crystal clean.

Beautiful broadcaster, Laila Johnson-Salami and OAP Olisa Adibua anchored the opening and closing ends of the premiere respectively. The beautiful evening was also attended by former First Bank of Nigeria’s Chairman, Mrs Ibukun Awosika; Former Lagos State Commissioner for Information Tourism and Culture, Mr. Steve Ayorinde; Prof. Duro Oni, ace actress, Joke Silva, Hilda Dokubo, Ireti Doyle, Daniel Etim Effiong, Big Brother Naija star Erica Nlewedim, Deyemi Okanlawon, Steve Gukas, Chris Ubosi, Muritala Ibrahim, Tundun Abiola, Tade Ogidan, Francis Onwuchie and Denrele Edun among others.

The Man Of God goes live on Netflix from this Saturday April 16, 2022.

April 12, 2022
Comedian Bovi blames Simon Leviev after ‘embarrassing’ London hotel encounter

Nigerian stand-up comedian, Bovi Ugboma, popularly known only as Bovi has blamed Simon Leviev for an otherwise embarrassing encounter he had in a London hotel.

TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Bovi as saying he checked into the hotel in London but the hotel staff insisted he presented the card used for booking the hotel.

He blamed Leviev, an Israeli conman convicted of theft, forgery and fraud for the double-check carried out on him by the hotel.

Bovi revealed that he was forced to ask the hotel staff to Google him in the altercation that ensued.

“Simon Leviev done spoil everywhere o. Tryna check into hotel in London and they insist I present the card that was used for the booking.

“I tell them it was done for me by my wife and she’s in naij. That made it worse. They think I’m stealing.

“Then to crown am, my own card dey decline. For the first time in my life, I said the words ‘google me’,” Bovi stated via Instagram.

TNG reports 31-year-old Leviev, born Shimon Yehuda Hayut, was in 2019 arrested by Interpol in Greece after using a forged passport.

He was later that year convicted of theft, forgery and fraud and was sentenced to 15 months in prison in Israel but was released five months later as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

According to The Times of Israel, he allegedly swindled an estimated $10 million from victims across the European continent from 2017 to 2019 alone using a Ponzi scheme.

In 2022, Netflix released a video documentary, The Tinder Swindler, which describes his story as told by some of his victims.

February 10, 2022