TIPTOPSTARS

Just like volumes of books can be written, countless films can be produced to describe the lives Africans live in the diaspora. Simply put, it is all about drama! Else, how can one explain the fact that blood sisters, born of African parents, custodians of virtuous values, would quickly get fed up with each other and opt to part ways, upon the demise of the former. Rhetoric!

Scores of other vices plague African families abroad, but the above, to Lilian Ndi, producer of a much-awaited Cameroonian movie filmed in the United States is enough to whip in great concerns. “How African families in the diaspora easily disintegrate is a major issue which needs to be urgently addressed, I strongly believe,” she told TIPTOPSTARS Editor when we contacted the young film producer to tell us more about Sister Dearest, the said production. “We in the seventh art must address such issues in our movies and I’m convinced by so doing, we would go a long way in educating people on the importance of living as one,” she went further.

According to the story in Sister Dearest whose world premiere is billed for March 22, 2014, four sisters are left behind after their parents depart in a tragic car crash. They could live in peace and still have all materially, financially and otherwise. But by some ill-fated twist, they opt to put asunder this admirable sister-bond the Nwentis had hitherto enjoyed. What this unfortunate disarray delivers is what you would discover in the 90-minute long home video directed and edited by John Uche (with Nick Zemora as D.O.P).

According to the producer, the movie is crafted in such a way that it would leave an indelible impact on its audience. “Through Sister Dearest, we intend to touch lives and we would be glad if this is attained,” Lilian Ndi, herself a spectacular actress told us from her Maryland abort. She added that she was so excited about the movie. “It’s a breakthrough in my career and I’m thankful to God about it.”

However, it was not a piece of cake to put Sister Dearest together. “Not only did I have to go deep into my pocket to make over sixteen thousand, five hundred dollars available for the production, I also had to grapple with people’s different and always tight schedules,” the producer of the up-coming movie explained. She revealed further: “We also had some location difficulties but thank God things were sorted out at the end of the day.”

Sister Dearest will be premiered in an event its producers say will be an occasion to honour the movie’s artists and technicians who did a beautiful job. “We are therefore urging film lovers in the USA and elsewhere to join us at 8844 Washington BLVD, Jessup, MD, 20794 as from 8pm,” Lilian Ndi said. She added: “It’s going to be a great event, with great people, just like the great movie project they’ll be coming to support.”

Shot between August and September last year, Sister Dearest is produced under the banner of Lilian Entertainment Productions, a movie production outfit run from Maryland, USA. Starring in the movie are Pridine Fru, Lilian Ndi, Kang Quintus, Claudio Oben Eyong Jose, Rajah Roger Muntu, Obaseki Paula, Mirabel Asongong, Jenille Alison Mungo and others.

Meantime, Lilian Ndi is known to be one of the frontline Cameroonian actresses in the diaspora, having featured in several movies including African Man and Deep Sea Diving. Her vision in the seventh art has gone beyond set performance. “By God’s grace, I’ll be a regular producer henceforth,” she revealed.

When Enah Johnscott (director), Takong Delvis (assistant director) and Yibain Emile-Aime Chah (D.O.P) sign up in a production, its outcome is obvious – perfect! The technical trio plus Achile Brice (editor) have left indelible marks wherever they have traded, cinematographically speaking. VIRI will not be different! Or, if it is going to be, then these seventh art gifted technicians will use it to create a new record, one can easily conjecture. VIRI is a new Cameroonian movie whose coming in a not-too-distant future is awaited with unspeakable anxiety. “The cast is my kind of cast and the crew convinces me,” a deep-rooted Cameroonian movie fan confessed by the time we were doing this report.

To Felly, the said Cameroonian movie lover, actors such as Alenne Menget, Nchifor Valery, Desmond Wyte, Otia Vitalis and Lynno Lovert were enough to have viewers clued to their screens. And, that is the kind of movie VIRI is being tailored to be – captivating!

According to producer Nkanya Nkwai VIRI will distinguish itself. “The story, an appropriate blend of glamour and the wild succeeds to give an insight on the best of both worlds. It’s not just a focus on rural life void of modernity, it also depicts the struggles of life after success and civilisation,” he explained in a correspondence to TIPTOPSTARS.

Written by Nkanya Nkwai and Itambi Delphine, two of their industry’s finest storytellers, VIRI is a tale of two contrasting yet similar tales. On one side of the story, two brothers go in search of the remains of their father, 23 years after his demise. On the other side, a couple goes with the purpose of finding a connection that can help save their difficult relationship. They coincide in the same forest and unknown to them, the same mystery that plagues the forest is that which will eventually change their lives and re-write their destinies. Will their lives ever be the same again after they set out for their journey? Find out the rest of the story in this up-coming movie whose communication outfit, ModelMaisonPR confirms will be made public in the early months of this year.

Also featuring in VIRI, rich with award-winning cast and crew members are Stephanie Fonachi and Elynn Fesse Bazile. For more information on the VIRI and its up-coming release and premiere, contact: www.facebook.com/VIRI-movie, www.facebook.com/ModeMaisonPR or call +237 70 61 56 87