September 17, (THEWILL) – Almost a year after she left the social media space by deleting her photos from Instagram, thereby giving rise to speculations about the state of her health, Nollywood actress, Genevieve Nnaji resurfaced from oblivion to attend the premiere of her latest film, ‘I Do Not Come To You By Chance,’ at the the Toronto International Film Festival, TIFF, in Canada.
The film, which is part of this year’s centrepiece programme, was one of the 47 selected titles from 45 countries. It is Nnaji’s second attempt at executive film production. Her first film, ‘Lionheart,’ was produced in 2018 and it opened the door for Netflix to embrace Nigerian movies.
The new movie is a gripping adaptation of novelist, Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani’s award-winning debut novel, which shares the same title as the movie. The novel’s narrative delves into the treacherous realm of Nigerian email scams, unravelling the poignant tale of a young man grappling with the immense responsibility of liberating his family from the clutches of poverty. The story explores the extraordinary lengths he ventures to in order to secure the future of his loved ones.
Nwaubani’s literary masterpiece was the recipient of the prestigious 2010 Commonwealth Writers Prize for Best First Book (Africa) and the esteemed 2010 Betty Trask First Book Award. Furthermore, it earned the distinguished honor of being named one of The Washington Post’s ‘Best Books of the Year.’
In the screen adaptation of the novel, Nnaji joins forces with co-executive producer and best friend, Chinny Carter to bring this compelling story to life. The cast features Blossom Chukwujekwu and newcomer, Paul Nnadiekwe in pivotal roles. Accompanying them are accomplished actors, Jennifer Eliogu, Sambasa Nzeribe and Beverly Osu, creating a dynamic ensemble under the directorial prowess of Ishaya Bako.
Behind the camera, Femi Awojide takes on the role of Director of Photography, contributing to the visual splendor of the project. ‘I Do Not Come To You By Chance’ transcends language barriers as it seamlessly weaves together English and Igbo, captivating audiences with its cultural richness and emotional depth.
Ivory Ukonu is a versatile journalist with many years of experience, with entertainment and society reporting as her area of core competence.
