The new movie, Slave Warriors, recently released into the market by Nollywood actors has put Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital in the news, while projecting African values and culture. The movie which was shot in Rivers State featured veteran actor, Mr. Segun Arinze, Mr. Gideon Okeke, Kate Ezeigbo, Tosin Adeyemi, Prof. Ihunda Ovunda, as lead actors and was produced by Makavilla Production Limited in collaboration with Triad Creativity Company.
The movie, ‘Slave Warriors’ was directed by Mr. Alex Joseph, while the script writer and producer is Mr. Justice Ibezimako Onu with BlessMarvel Omenka as the co-producer.
Other casts include Mr. Jude Isichie and Kenneth Osunwa, Chairman of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, Rivers State chapter.
Speaking during a recent press conference to launch the movie in Port Harcourt, the Chief Executive Officer of Desgol Entertainment Worldwide and organiser of Rivers International Film Festival (RIFF), , Kate Chidinma Ezeigbo, explained that, ‘Slave Warriors’ movie came at a time when Rivers State needed fresh vibes and positive news. According to her, “all that you’ve heard of the state in recent time is either political crisis, this crisis and that crisis.
“For once, there could be a positive story concerning the State, for instance, we had actors coming in from different parts of the country down to Rivers State and there was no issue of kidnap, neither were there issues of harassment, so it goes a long way to tell that Rivers people are very hospitable people.
“It goes a long way to tell that we have the right locations to shoot any kind of job that you want to shoot whether as a local producer or international producer in Rivers State.
“I will like to use this medium to also encourage producers anywhere that you can begin to think deeply about using Rivers State as your most preferred choice for movie production, there are beautiful sites in Rivers State and we have our very rich cultural heritage here.”
On the movie, Ezeigbo who is one of the lead characters said, “here from Rivers State, we are telling the beautiful story of slave warriors, an African epic story that cuts across seven Kingdoms, displaying a lot on African culture and way of life of the people from here, Rivers State.
“While doing the research, we got to find out that ‘Slave Warriors’ movie is the first epic web series shot in pidgin English in the world.”
The movie is believed to be the first ever epic web series, shot in pidgin English, with over 4,000 scenes.
The movie aims at showcasing safer approaches to conflict resolutions, settling communal clashes without crisis, killing or protests.
‘Slave Warriors’ director, Alex Joseph explained that the whole idea in the movie is to, “project the intricate, rich cultural heritage of Africa and Africans. We did everything in pidgin English to be able to communicate effectively.
“The movie is completely africanised, we made it very local where everyone who watches it will understand.”
Also speaking aveteran nollywood actor, Segun Arinza revealed that the movie tells the authentic African story.
Arinze described the production process as “a very interesting journey.
“ It was a fine experience for me, considering that I came on set haven read the script in English and director said everything is going to be in pidgin english to be able to communicate effectively with the audience.
“It’s not as if we don’t speak pidgin english but having an entire series in pidgin english was incredible.
“ Everything about the production was top-notch.
“ I was very impressed with the team, the director Mr Alex, it was interesting and I am looking forward to get the reaction of the viewing public” Arinze said.