AfroWest Pictures is set to release “Oloibiri” in select U.S. theaters beginning this Friday, February 3rd, 2017, starting in Los Angeles, CA.
Starring an all-star cast of international actors, including William R. Moses (“Falcon Crest,” “Mystic Pizza”), Richard Mofe-Damijo (“Alice in America”), Olu Jacobs (“Pirates”), Taiwo Ajai-Lycett (“Tinsel”), Ivie Okujaye (“Burning Bridges”), and Ifeanyi Williams, “Oloibiri” tells the unflinching story of the first oil well drilled in Nigeria, and how the impact affected a small Nigerian Delta Village and the lives of those involved.
Part action thriller, part historical eye-opener, “Oloibiri” is a cautionary tale of a small Nigerian town struggling through a recession after suddenly finding itself entrenched in a petrol-wealth landslide. While some embrace the power of big oil development, others choose a different path, standing militantly against the corporate empire ravaging the village and killing its residents with polluted water. As the town’s natural resources are depleted, the epidemic and unemployment rate rise at an alarming speed, and the once-fertile land is ravaged by oil spills.
The movie, which is based on real-life events, gives audiences a Nigerian perspective on a historical phenomenon that wreaked havoc on a small town, even as it affected the global oil industry.
“Olobiri” was written by Samantha Iwowo, directed by Curtis Graham, and produced by Rogers Ofime and Oge Neliaku—two Nigerians dedicated to sharing stories of their culture and combating stereotypes to audiences worldwide. Additional production contributions include Rightangle Productions Ltd., Theatron Media, Inc., and Grey House Films.
Lekan Salaam of AfroWest Pictures says: “We were keen to let the world see the neglect that the village and its people were faced with, post the discovery of oil in 1956. Oloibiri lost access to drinkable water, sustainable farming and fishing. Due to lack of economic development and high rise in poverty levels, the community is losing its young generation to militancy, which results in untimely deaths. To save the lives of Oloibiri children and reduce the call to arms, we hope the story of Oloibiri will attract both local and foreign partnership to jump start sustainable economic development through environmental clean-up, agriculture, renewable energy, fishery, boat manufacturing and many more. Oloibiri’s cautionary tale couldn’t be more timely or relevant.”
“Oloibiri” will premiere in Los Angeles on February 3rd at the Hughes Center Cinemark, The Promenade at Howard Hughes Center, 6081 Center Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90045. The premiere will began at 7 p.m. with a filmmaker Q&A after the screening. Additional show times for the film will be offered daily starting on Saturday, February 4.
Watch a trailer for the film below:
