RoyalArtsAcademy’s movie, I’ll take my Chances, has recorded a very huge cinema success, no doubt. However, the country’s entertainment scene has also been agog with rumours of disagreement between the producers of the movie, Emem Isong and Iniobong Edo.
Those peddling the story claimed that Emem had been fighting her colleague, Ini for taking the credit for the movie alone, without including her name as a co-producer.
During the week, we sought Emem Isong’s reaction on the matter and she had this to say. “I don’t know where that rumour is coming from. Ini and I are best of friends and we have no issues whatsoever. The movie is doing great and we are cool with it. People are just prone to talking rubbish, I’m sorry. You can call Ini yourself and ask her. We are close and there is nothing like disagreement. Like I said, disregard those talks, they are mere rumours”. Speaking further, Emem said, “We have been busy on location with a soap opera titled A Perfect Love”. She concluded that the 13-episode soap was written by Royal Arts Academy students and is still undergoing production, as you read this.
This is surely the best of times for respected and celebrated movie producer, Emem Isong has been smiling to the bank following the success of her latest film, ‘I’ll Take My Chances’.
Emem recently bought Hyundai IX35 worth about 10 million naira. We learnt that she bought the SUV car brand new and was taken delivery of not too long ago. Sources tell that Emem is now planning on another mega project.
The premiere of I’LL Take My Chances,the wave making film co-produced by Ini Edo-Ehiagwina and Emem Isong is regarded as the best star studded movie premiere ever hosted in the industry.
However, not everybody is aware of the secret behind the success.
Going by the information gathered from insiders,Akwa-Ibom State Governor,Obong Godswill Akpabio is said to be the pillar behind the premieres of the movie that took place first in Uyo,the State capital last year which coincided with the State’s 24th year anniversary and the one that took place in Lagos a few weeks ago.
The Uyo leg of the premiere turned out to be a very enormous event as it was the Governor that footed the bills of top Nollywood stars and journalists who went to cover the event and lend support to their own.
Subsequently,the premiere was given a political undertone and became one of the biggest events that were held in Uyo last year.
Governor Akpabio who has proven to be the most generous governor in Nigeria today made sure all the guests went home with gifts of various magnitudes.
Having made a statement in Uyo,Governor Akpabio did not stop there as he was said to have splashed millions on the young producer,Ini Edo and her partner,Emem Isong,who are both from the State,for the Lagos premiere of I’LL Take My Chances.
According to information gathered,the multi-million naira gift was given to the two movie makers a few weeks to the screening that took place at the Silverbird Galleria.
We equally learnt that Governor Akpabio who bagged the prestigious Sun Man of the Year Award a day after the premiere,decided to stay in his hotel,the Federal Palace Hotel beside the Galleria,probably to forestall any controversy.
But we gathered that the hosts visited him afterwards.
Two great daughters of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria recently premiered their much hyped dance movie, ‘I’ll Take My Chances’ in Lagos. The movie had earlier been premiered at the homestate, Akwa Ibom on 24th September, 2011. In attedance were top stars from the entertainment industry. We have a long list of celebs who graced the event not excluding Paul Okoye and Jude 'Engees' Okoye (of Psquare), Rugged Man, Faze, Monalisa Chinda,Chioma Chukwuka-Akpotha, Uche Jombo, Susan Peters, Nse Ikpe-Etim, Mahmoud Alli-Balogun, Segun Arinze, Kunle Afolayan Desmond Elliot, Bryan Okwara, Uti Nwachukwu & Karen Igho. Dakore-EgbusonMercy Johnson, Jim Iyke. 2face Idibia was there with his fiancee, Annie Macaulay (I’m proud to announce that she is also from Akwa Ibom). Comedian A.Y was the Master of Ceremony. Connoisseur.com brings you the pictures courtesy Nollywooduncut. More pictures are coming soon...
Those who are conversant with happenings in the Nigerian movie industry will recall that actress Nse Ikpe-Etim left Nollywood some years back after featuring in a few films.
The Akwa Ibom State born pretty babe moved to the Federal Capital Territory where she spent many years trying her hands in other endeavours.But three years ago,talented producer,Emem Isong,forwarded the script of her award winning film entitled Reloaded to Nse who came out of hiatus and made a sensational come back to Nollywood. In these past three years,Nse has starred in almost all the films that Emem Isong has produced and their bond is very strong.
However,late last year,top actress Monalisa Chinda who is a close pal of Isong and co-owner of Royal Arts Academy reportedly had a clash with Nse that reportedly brought her friendship with Ms. Etim to an end.It has been discovered that since the development took effect,Ms. Etim seems to have detached herself from the clique and this has been made clear as she has been absent at all the events hosted by her former clique of friends since the last quarter of 2011,an action that was never noticed before when the going was good.
It has equally been discovered that Nse has stopped appearing in movies done by Emem Isong and Monalisa Chinda and was not one of the cast of the new soap opera the duo launched few weeks ago.
Insiders squealed that as it was Emem Isong that brought Nse back to Nollywood and going by their closeness,there was no way she would not have featured in the soap titled Catwalq if their relationship was still intact as she is a very good actress.
Now,everyone is looking forward to seeing how Nse and her godmother settle their rift.
The much anticipated blockbuster, ‘I’ll Take My Chances’ is set for screening & premiering at the Silverbird Cinemas, Lagos on February 24, 2012. The movie which was produced by Emem Isong & Ini Edo stars the talented Ini and former Mr Nigeria, Bryan Okwara as well as other leading acts like Canadian born dancer, Ashleigh Clark, the late Sam Efe Loco, Jide Kosoko, Biola Williams, Lilian Ini Ikpe and many others.
They are ably supported by a retinue of professional dancers and together, they showcase a magical story of dance, drama, love and intrigue. This movie is cultural fiesta that shows the best that Nigeriaand indeed Africa has to offer and it is all beautifully woven in this movie. Some parts of the movie was shot in Lagos and some scenic areas in CrossRiverand Akwa Ibom state. Directing was done by Desmond Elliot, and screenplay written by Kehinde Joseph, Uduak Oguamanam & Bola Aduwo.
