By Felicia Odom 19.12.202
Following a strong rebuttal by the Christian Association of Nigeria on Ini Edo’s flick “A Very Dirty Christmas” Nollywood actors Rita Dominic and IK Ogbonna have spoken up in defence of the film’s title.
CAN had remarked that the title is “offensive and disrespectful” to Christians who mark the day with holiness and sober reflections on the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ.
However, Ogbonna said title was not meant to mock or disrespect Christianity, emphasising that he, the producer, and director are all Christians.
“In light of the recent statement by the Christian Association of Nigeria, I feel it’s important to speak from my place as a cast member in A Very Dirty Christmas, where I played the character Frankie,” he wrote on Instagram
“Let me be very clear: the title of this movie was never meant to undermine the Christian faith — especially not our faith. I am a Christian. Many members of the cast are Christians. The producer is a Christian. The director is a Christian. At no point was this project created to mock, diminish, or disrespect the sacredness of Christmas.
“I respect the Christian Association of Nigeria and understand the concerns raised. Conversations like this are important. My humble appeal is that we allow the full message of the film — not just the title — to speak for itself,” he said.
Rita Dominic supported Ogbonna, urging Nigerians to watch the film before drawing conclusions.
She wrote, “Artists have the right to creative expressions. It allows them to convey emotions, build worlds that capture the heart of the audience. A Very Dirty Christmas movie produced by Ini Edo and directed by Akay Mason is nothing short of that. I think it’s important to watch the film first before drawing conclusions.
“#AVeryDirtyChristmas is now showing in cinemas nationwide. Go watch with family/friends this holiday, be ready to have a good laugh and be thrilled!
“Congrats once again to the entire cast and crew!”
Explaining the choice of title, Ini Edo said it was metaphorical and tied to the story being told.
“The title of the film is metaphorical, reflecting the story being told and the realities explored within it,” she said. “Christmas, while sacred, is also a season that often reveals the contrast between appearance and truth, joy and struggle, virtue and human imperfection.”
The National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) has engaged the film’s producers and requested a title modification to prevent offense.