It would seem that any project Obi Emelonye touches turns to gold very much like the old King Midas who could turn anything to that precious metal by merely touching it. His recent film project, which premiered in Nigeria, only late last year is already heading to the Pan African Film Festival, Los Angeles in the United States of America.
This has largely been the case for the award-winning director who did not originally study film. In 2011, it was The Mirror Boy for which he attempted to see Africa through the eyes of a 12-year-old London-born African boy. Then came Last Flight to Abuja, a year later dealing with the glamorous world of aviation with its excitement, glitz and crashes.
The filmmaker has been quoted to say that in all of these projects, he is seeking a new vista from which to see our common existence as humans.
In Oxford Gardens he tells a love story through the boxing gloves of a boxer. The film has opened the year with a step of honour as it has made the official selection list of the 24th Pan African Film Festival billed to hold at the Rave Cinema in Los Angeles, California, USA from February 4 to 15.
Set in London, Oxford Gardens is the story of a girl diagnosed of cancer and how she struck a bond of unforgettable memories with a retired boxer in a bid to satisfy her yearnings of having the best moments of her last hours on earth.
It features Ngoli Okafor, a two-time Golden Gloves boxing champion in the United States, Ngozi Thompson Igwebike, Savanah Roy, Iffy Chukwu, Princess Abiye, Frank Ani, Nnenna Ani and D’Richy Emelonye.