By Ighomuaye Lucky. O
Osamede, a superhero film set during the 1897 British invasion of the Benin Kingdom has been premiered in Benin City, the Edo state capital.
The movie follows a young woman who discovers ancestral warrior powers during the 1897 British invasion of her homeland.
The film positions authentic African history as the foundation for contemporary superhero storytelling.
The Executive Producer, Lilian Olubi, described the movie as that of restitution to the people of the great Benin Kingdom by the British who invaded the Kingdom.
The lead actress Ivie Okujaye Egboh, who plays Osamede, described the screening as the most meaningful moment of her career.
“Playing a Benin warrior in the actual kingdom, surrounded by descendants of those warriors… I felt the weight of every scene. When the audience stood and applauded, I knew we’d honoured their ancestors”, she said.
For, “William Benson, who plays Iyase, Osamede’s nemesis, said the Benin reception exceeded expectations. “You could feel the pride in the room. Beyond the entertainment, this was about people seeing their power reflected back at them. That’s rare. That’s special.”
Speaking on the premiered movie, the Edo State governor, Monday Okpebholo, represented by his Senior Special Assistant on Tourism and the Creative Economy, Dr. Munirat Lecky, rated the film as a model for cultural preservation through entertainment.
“Osamede demonstrates how authentic storytelling can drive cultural tourism and economic development.
“This film will bring people to Edo State. It will spark our young people’s curiosity about their heritage. That’s the kind of cultural investment we need.
“Community representatives from Fugar and Ososo expressed pride in seeing their towns depicted authentically on screen.
“The production created direct economic impact in both communities through local crew employment, vendor engagement, and income opportunities for residents who participated as extras and support staff”, Okpebholo said.
The movie Osamede would be opened nationwide in Nigerian cinemas on October 17, followed by a UK theatrical release on October 31 and a North American release on November 7. Nile Entertainment Group is handling the global distribution.
