Kevin Nwankwor; writer, producer and director of the movie Tempting Fate, which had its world premiere on July 10 at Silverbird Cinemas, has said that only when we learn to forgive and love one another can we build a better society.
He was speaking after the premiere of the drama and action film to a capacity-filled hall peopled by some members of the cast and crew of the film shot in the United States of America, Nollywood practitioners and members of the public.
Nwankwor, who is also the CEO of KevStel Group, said: “One of the goals we have is just to let you know that if only we can learn to forgive each other, if only we can learn to love, we will build a better society. It is really easy for us to preach it; but when it happens, it is very difficult for us to back it.”
He was all thanks for his wife, the co-producer, who was present; the executive producer, Emmanuel Ojeah; cast and crew as well as everyone who took out time to grace the event.
“It was a very difficult moment for us while on set. We always started with prayer and ended with prayer. That is how we do it on set. No matter that we had people from different religions and cultures, they had to stand by that rule. God helped us through the production from beginning to the end,” he recalled.
He then called on the cast and crew of Nigerians and Americans to introduce themselves. Those present included Ramsey Nouah (Ugo), Sulekh Suman (Cinematography), Emmanuel Ojeah (Executive Producer), Tiffany Denise Turner (Tracey), Andrew Onochie (Edu) and Dan Davies (Scorpion). There were also John J. Vogel (Detective Travis) and Kimberly Kral (Tiffany).
Ramsey Nouah, like the others, was impressed with the crowd that attended and full of thanks. While all the Americans said it was their first time in Nigeria, they were all happy with the warm reception they got since their visit.
“All of you are so warm and welcoming,” said Tiffany Denise Turner.
“When we made this film two years ago, we never in a million years thought we would be standing here in Nigeria, Lagos, for this world premiere. And everybody here is just so warm and loving to us. We would remember this for the rest of our lives,” said John J. Vogel.
Said Kimberly Kral: “Like everyone has been saying, thank you for coming out to see the film. Everyone we have met has given us a warm welcome. And I also want to say thank you to Kevin for everything that you put together and made this come together.”
Andrew Onochie, who said he was born in Lagos but has not stepped foot in the country in the last 20 years, declared that he was so excited to be home. “This has been the best time of my life. You guys have made my day, you are making my week, my entire month; so I thank you,” he said.
Dan Davies said: “I am in concert with what everyone has said that the Nigerian people are so gracious. God bless you and thank you.”
Others to speak at the premiere anchored by the comedian, Ali Baba, were comedian and now filmmaker, Ayo Makun (a.k.a. AY); and the actor, producer, director and member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Desmond Elliot. They both appealed to the audience and Nigerians in general to help publicise the film and not to be part of movie piracy.
“From day one that we did 30 Days in Atlanta, the very day we premiered the movie, the people here were the ones who started talking about it. Nigerians don’t love to see things that have our name attached to it. So please as you leave here today, just spread the word. That is what is going to bring people to the cinema. Put the word out there, just talk about it, we are going places,” AY stated.
“I just want to say that this is an awesome film,” Desmond Elliot said. “It must have taken this guy a lot of money to do what we are seeing here, to bring these people down and then you do not expect him to make his money back? So, please, let’s say no to piracy. I am very strong on that and it is terrible. I know what AY went through. Granted, he made a lot of money here, but at the end of the day, it’s his job, it’s his patent, right, the right to production. So without spoiling this wonderful mood, please, when you see a pirated copy of anything at all, it is our content, it is our right, let’s stop it and God help us. Thank you very much”.
Indeed, people will go see the film for the potent storyline, the good acting and action scenes that kept the premiere audience glued to the big screen. All things considered, Tempting Fate is an awesome film and only those who go see when it opens in cinemas across the country on July 17 can truly agree.