Gbenga Adebayo
Nollywood star Ini Edo has passionately defended her latest film, A Very Dirty Christmas, urging censorship authorities and the public not to block its release, affirming it does not disparage Christianity.
In a heartfelt Instagram video, Edo pleaded with critics to view the movie before passing judgment, vowing to withdraw it if deemed disrespectful.
“Please don’t ban my film. Let audiences watch it first. If anyone can prove it mocks Christianity afterward, I’ll take full responsibility and remove it immediately,” she stated.
The actress emphasized her commitment to faith, declaring, “I’d never associate with content that insults God or believers. If the film crosses that line, I’ll bear the consequences without hesitation.”
The movie’s provocative title sparked backlash from Nigeria’s Christian Association (CAN), which condemned it as sacrilegious. Edo, however, clarified that the choice was never intended to be offensive.
“‘A Very Dirty Christmas’ was meant to reflect family drama and hidden truths—not to ridicule Christians. The story carries no disrespect toward faith,” she explained.
The filmmaker revealed the challenges of rebranding the project after significant investment: “We’ve secured screenings in 70 cinemas nationwide, plus marketing efforts. Changing the title now would be logistically difficult, but I’ll comply to avoid further conflict.”
As a devoted Christian, Edo apologized for unintended offense, reiterating her reverence for the faith: “I worship alongside those questioning this film. Mocking my own beliefs is unthinkable.”
Nigeria’s censorship board, the NFVCB, acknowledged public concerns and requested a title revision, stating: “While respecting creative expression, we’ve asked for adjustments to address communal sensitivities.”
Edo conceded to the demand while appealing for fairness: “I’ll work on altering the title, but please don’t pull the film prematurely. Allow viewers to judge the content themselves.”
Grace Effiong
