Don’t withdraw my movie, Ini Edo begs NFVCB

Nollywood actress and filmmaker Ini Edo has appealed to the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) and the public not to withdraw her new movie, ‘A Very Dirty Christmas,’ from cinemas.

In an emotional video shared on her Instagram page on Sunday night, Edo said the film does not ridicule Christianity and urged critics to watch it before judging.

She explained that the controversy is about the title, not the content of the movie.

Please don’t pull my film. Allow people to watch it first. If anyone watches it and says it degrades Christians or dishonours God, I will pull it myself,” she said.

According to her, the title was never meant to insult the Christian faith.

“We chose ‘A Very Dirty Christmas’ without any intention to disrespect Christianity or God. There is nothing dirty in the film. It is about family issues and hidden secrets,” Edo said.

The actress said the movie was only recently released nationwide and warned that withdrawing it would cause serious financial losses.

“I collected money from investors. The film is showing in over 70 cinemas across the country. We have spent a lot on promotion. Pulling it now will affect us badly,” she said.

Edo also confirmed that regulators had asked her to change the title of the film and said she was willing to comply, but pleaded that it should not be removed from cinemas.

“They said we should change the title or the film will be pulled. I am a Christian myself. I don’t want issues with Christians. I will try to change the title. Just give us time. Please don’t pull the film,” she appealed.

She apologised to anyone offended by the title, insisting there was no bad intention.

“If the title is hurting anyone, I am sorry. That was never the plan,” she said.

The appeal followed complaints by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), which described the title as offensive to the Christian faith and called for action by regulators.

Reacting to the issue, the NFVCB said it had asked the producer to modify the title, adding that public concerns are important in film regulation. The board noted that it has the power to withdraw films if necessary in the public interest.

Ini Edo, however, insisted she would never deliberately offend her faith.

“I am a Christian. I would never sit anywhere and ridicule Christianity,” she said.