Precious 'Mamazeus' Nwogu

The multiple award-winning film will begin screening across over 100 UK cinemas from August 26, 2022.

Written and directed by Emelonye, the feature length film based on real life events follows the gripping tale of Ray Chinda (O.C Ukeje), a world famous action star embroiled in a messy blackmail that could ruin his thriving career and family.&nbsp;

With nowhere left to turn, Chinda decides to play the situation as if it was from one of his movies and goes after the gang behind the scam.

Meanwhile, operating from London behind layers of VPN encryptions, Mighty Igor and his enslaved assistants provide the tip of a ruthless Russian criminal iceberg; lurking to sink many unsuspecting victims.

As the clock ticks towards zero hour, Chinda blunders his way through Mighty Igor's game of cyber cat and mouse. With his back against the wall, he must put everything he loves on the line, close ranks with the most unlikely ally and confront Mighty Igor; at a very critical time when the Russian criminal empire is beginning to unravel from the inside.&nbsp;

The film’s stellar cast include multiple award-winning actor O.C Ukeje (Half of a Yellow Sun, The Wedding Party), Netflix’s Top Boy actor Alessandro Babalola, Nicolay Shulik, Julia Holden, Natalia Nyudyurbegova, Jelena Borovskaya, Tony Richardson and Emma Fletcher.&nbsp;

Since its official outing at the British Urban Film Festival (BUFF 2021) where it screened as the opening film, Blackmail has maintained a steady trajectory, recording nominations and wins at international awards and festivals.&nbsp;

The film won the Best Film by an African Living Abroad at the 2021 African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) in Nigeria. It also made the official selection for the 2021 edition of the Halifax Black Film Festival in Canada.&nbsp;

'Blackmail' poster unveils OC Ukeje [Instagram/obiemelonye]

The first of its kind theatrical release kickstarts August 26.

Obi Emelonye’s ‘Blackmail’ set for unprecedented UK & Nigeria cinema release

The filmmaker announced on May 19,<a href="https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/movies/badamasi-portrait-of-a-general-set-to-debut-on-amazon-prime/08e3z0k"> a day after the film launched on the streamer</a>, that it had to be taken down due to an audio sync glitch.

"Viewers have experienced an audio sync issue halfway through BADAMASI. I and my distributor do sincerely apologize for the technical problem. We have contacted the Amazon Quality Control team to fix the issue that resulted from an upload glitch as soon as possible," Emelonye wrote on Instagram.

While announcing the film's return to screens, the director hinted at several forces influencing the film's delayed release.

"Many forces don’t want this film to come out but nothing can stop an idea whose time has come. Up again on Amazon Prime after a short break in transmission. Thanks for your patient understanding," Emelonye shared. "Delayed from being released for 3 years by red tape. Launch on Amazon prime cut shut by black tape. Watch this controversial film NOW before it is buried by green tape."

<div class="embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Delayed from being released for 3 years by red tape. Launch on Amazon prime cut shut by black tape. Watch this controversial film NOW before it is buried by green tape. <a href="https://t.co/3Jn2dhMnU4">pic.twitter.com/3Jn2dhMnU4</a>&mdash; Obi Emelonye (@obiemelonye) <a href="https://twitter.com/obiemelonye/status/1528707355155767296?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 23, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Shot in 2018, the biopic portrays the former Nigerian military head of state as a man with flaws but a deep sense of patriotism. It stars&nbsp;Enyinna Nwigwe&nbsp;as&nbsp;Ibrahim Babaginda&nbsp;with Charles Inojie, Sani Danja, Yakubu Mohammed, Okey Bakassi, Kalu Ikeagwu, Julius Agwu&nbsp;and&nbsp;Erick Didie in supporting roles.

Enyinna Nwigwe plays the eponymous character in 'Badamasi'  [Instagram/@badamasi_portrait_of_a_general]

The biopic originally premiered on Prime Video on May 18

Obi Emelonye's 'Badamasi' returns to Amazon Prime following technical error

UK-based Nigerian filmmaker Obi Emelonye is currently in Nigeria filming his first project of 2021.

'Hunt' BTS directed by Obi Emelonye [Obi Emelonye)

Principal photography recently kicked off for the film produced by Joy Odiete for Blue Pictures Entertainment and executive produced by Odinaka Emmanuel Offia.

Written by Emelonye, 'Hunt' follows Josiah (Josh2funny) and Joseph (Jidekene Achufusi), two down-on-their-luck friends who share a room in a run-down part of Gwagwalada, Abuja.

When Josiah’s wife, Lucy (Oma Iyasara) arrives without notice and with their three daughters, Joseph checks into a local hotel. But, a mix-up lands him in a room belonging to Diokpa (Charley Boy), a local criminal Lord.

&nbsp;What Joseph finds in Diokpa’s room changes his life and that of his friend Josiah thus sparking a game of cat and mouse with Diokpa tracing the two Joes all the way to Lagos where they have become the biggest boys in town.

'Living In Bondage: Breaking Free' star Jidekene first teased fans with photos of himself and co-star Josh2funny shared on Instagram early this week.

'Hunt' is Emelonye's first film since his award-winning 2020 cyber crime thriller 'Black Mail' with OC Ukeje in the lead role.

The filmmaker is also in Nigeria for the premiere of his inspirational film 'The Oratory'. The film began its world premiere across 16 countries months ago and is finally in Nigeria for two premieres slated to hold in Lagos and Abuja.

The comedian and actor will star in the lead roles for the film with working title 'Hunt'.

Josh2funny & Jidekene Achufusi to star in new Obi Emelonye film

'Badamasi' director Obi Emelonye has announced that his forthcoming feature film 'Blackmail' has won its first award.

According to Emelonye, the film which stars O.C. Ukeje in the lead role, recently scooped the Best Trailer award at the 2021 Changing Face International festival.

The filmmaker also announced the cyber security themed film made the selection list for this year's Urban British Film Festival.

Shot in the United Kingdom in 2020, the action thriller follows the story of Chinda (Ukeje), a well-known London actor who becomes involved in a sextortion lawsuit launched against him by Igor, a criminal oligarch and digital fraudster.

Mistaken identity, webcam hacking, and threats of violence puts Chinda's family at risk as he looks for the perpetrators.

Release details for 'Blackmail' are currently under wraps as the filmmaker is currently on tour for another project titled 'The Oratory'. The new movie will reportedly screen in over 16 countries.

The thriller has made official selection for a number of international festivals.

Obi Emelonye's new film 'Blackmail' scoops first award

Revered filmmaker, Obi Emelonye has announced the world premiere of his inspirational Christian film 'The Oratory'.

The world premiere is set to hold at the Odeon Cinema in Point Square, Dublin, Ireland on September 10, 2021.

Starring Enyinna Nwigwe, Rich Lowe Ikenna, Florence Okechukwu, Charles Ukpong, Lawrence Nwali, David Davidson, Temidayo Akingboro and Stephen Oguntade, the film is based on the Salesians of Don Bosco, a Catholic order dedicated to the service of young, disadvantaged people.

ALSO READ: <a href="https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/movies/tope-oshin-returns-with-feature-film-here-love-lies/39cfrfh">Tope Oshin is back! Watch new teaser for feature film 'Here Love Lies' [Pulse Exclusive] </a>

The story is based on Rev. Fr. Michael Simmons, (Rich Lowe Ikenna), an American Catholic priest sent from Turin, Italy to a posh parish in Ikoyi, Lagos. On arrival, the young, stubborn priest becomes more interested in the plights of street children from the nearby slum called Makoko. However, to reach the desperate boys, he has to step on big toes in his host parish. He must also confront Shuga (Nwigwe), the dangerous Makoko kingpin who has the street boys locked in criminal servitude.

'The Oratory' will screen roadshow style in four continents and in over 16 cities including London, Turin, Rome, Lagos, Abuja, Congo, Argentina, New Jersey and Paris before the year runs out.

Confirming the premiere, Emelonye shared on Instagram: "It'll be a great night of glamour and an opportunity to aid the work of Salesians of Don Bosco is tacking child poverty, homelessness and school-dropout in Nigeria."

'The Oratory' produced by Obi Emelonye [Instagram/obiemelonye]

The film will screen in over 16 countries on four continents including London, Turin, Rome, Lagos, Abuja, Congo and Paris.

Obi Emelonye to premiere inspirational Christian film 'The Oratory'

<h1>'Badamasi' director, Obi Emelonye has announced his latest production, an action thriller titled 'Blackmail'. </h1>

Emelonye recently shared a teaser poster of the forthcoming project featuring star actor OC Ukeje.

Filmed in 2020, 'Blackmail' follows the story of Chinda, a renowned London actor who gets entangled in a sextortion case.

The film will reportedly address issues surrounding data protection and cyber security in an increasingly internet reliant world. It is unclear if Ukeje plays the lead character.

News of Emelonye's new production comes just weeks after <a href="https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/movies/badamasi-to-premiere-in-cinemas/qqlk0z9">he premiered his biopic on former Nigerian head of state, Ibrahim Babangida in London on June 12</a>. The film was shot in 2018 but surprisingly experienced delayed theatrical release in 2019.

The movie was filmed in London in 2020.

Obi Emelonye unveils first look at  'Blackmail' starring OC Ukeje

<h1>Obi Emelonye's Ibrahim Babajida biopic 'Badamasi'(Portrait of a General) is set to open UK cinemas as the first red carpet event post Covid-19 lockdown. </h1>

The event <a href="https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/movies/badamasi-to-premiere-in-cinemas/qqlk0z9">confirmed for June 12 will hold at the O2 Arena</a>, Emelonye confirmed via an Instagram post.

"The cinemas are open in the UK and the first red carpet film Premiere anywhere in the UK is for.an African film. BADAMASI (Portrait of a General) premieres on June 12 and tells the compelling story of a great country and a powerful man in need of healing."

Shot in 2018, in Lagos, Minna, Abuja and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, the film portrays the former Nigerian military head of state as a man with flaws but a deep sense of patriotism. It stars &nbsp;Enyinna Nwigwe&nbsp;as&nbsp;Ibrahim Babaginda&nbsp;alongside&nbsp;Charles Inojie, Sani Danja, Yakubu Mohammed, Okey Bakassi, Kalu Ikeagwu, Julius Agwu&nbsp;and&nbsp;Erick Didie.

The official poster for 'Badamasi: Portrait of a General'  [Instagram/@obiemelonye]

The movie's world premiere will hold at the O2 Arena in London, United Kingdom.

Obi Emelonye's 'Badamasi' premiere to kick off UK cinema activity

<h1>Obi Emelonye's anticipated biopic 'Badamasi' is finally coming to the screens. The UK-based filmmaker recently announced an official release date for the film via his Instagram handle.</h1>

While Emelonye did not clarify the medium of release, he confirmed that fans will finally be able to experience the film from June 12, 2021. "It’s here...finally! June 12 unraveled on June 12," the filmmaker wrote.

The Obi Emelonye directed biopic garnered a lot of media attention due to its delayed release in 2019. Originally slated for a November 29 release, the film's delayed cinema release was reportedly influenced by 'powerful people' who did not want the film in circulation.

In an exclusive interview with Pulse, the award-winning filmmaker told Pulse that it took him <a href="https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/movies/obi-emelonye-talks-lessons-from-making-nollywood-classics-pulse-interview/dfdg5fq">four years to convince the General to grant him permission to work on the story. </a>

Shot in Lagos, Minna, Abuja and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, the film portrays the former Nigerian military head of state as a man with flaws but a deep sense of patriotism.

'Badamasi' stars Enyinna Nwigwe as Ibrahim Babaginda alongside Charles Inojie, Sani Danja, Yakubu Mohammed, Okey Bakassi, Kalu Ikeagwu, Julius Agwu and Erick Didie.

The biopic has been confirmed for a June 12 release.

Obi Emelonye's Ibrahim Babaginda biopic 'Badamasi' gets release date

<h1>Obi Emelonye's medical drama TV series, 'Heart &amp; Soul' is set to premiere on Netflix two years after its official release.</h1>

The acclaimed filmmaker confirmed via his Instagram handle, that the series will go live on the streaming platform from November 20, 2020.

ALSO READ: <a href="https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/movies/obi-emelonye-talks-lessons-from-making-nollywood-classics-pulse-interview/dfdg5fq">Obi Emelonye talks lessons from making Nollywood classics [Pulse Interview] </a>

Shot at the Lagos State University Teaching hospital, 'Heart &amp; Soul' follows the&nbsp;story of a returning doctor, who must come to terms with the reality that not all ailments can be explained through medical science. The movie stars Anthony Monjaro, Adekola Amoo, Phoenix Ezendu and a fine list of upcoming talents.

'Heart & Soul'  TV series comes to Netflix this November [YouTube]

The medico-spiritual TV series will premiere on Netflix on November 20, 2020.

Obi Emelonye's 'Heart & Soul' series to premiere on Netflix

<h1>Among lovers of Nollywood content, the name Obi Emelonye calls attention. A hardly rivalled classic maker, his oeuvre, built over the years has earned him a place on the veterans' table.</h1>

Despite owning credits to some of Nollywood's cinema classics, Obi Emelonye describes his filmmaking journey as arduous and filled with daunting challenges. His first foray into Nollywood was in 1999 with his first feature film 'Good Friends'.

Following the success of his debut film, the ace filmmaker continued to trudge through the industry, learning, unlearning and developing his craft. In 2011, he wrote and directed the acclaimed 'The Mirror Boy' (currently streaming on Netflix), a fantasy adventure drama starring&nbsp;Genevieve Nnaji, Osita Iheme&nbsp;and&nbsp;Edward Kagutuzi.

Months after 'The Mirror Boy', Emelonye embarked on the journey to making one of Nollywood's foremost cinema classics. From the development of 'Last Flight To Abuja', it was evident that the project would prove to be an industry game-changer.

Amid the countless challenges of making a film so daring, Emelonye reveals he felt saddled with the responsibility of telling the story.&nbsp;

"I felt my hand was emboldened as a storyteller to tackle technically-tasking themes that most African filmmakers have run away from in the past. I almost felt I could do no wrong", Emelonye said.&nbsp;

"How else can I describe having the temerity to take on crashing a plane in a Nigerian film, with our budgets and our level of technical expertise? However, I did not only stare the bold, ambitious project in the face, I also got some of the best players in Nollywood to believe with me".&nbsp;

In 2012, the box-office king was made with a budget of N40m. Undoubtedly, things have taken varying forms since 2012 but one aspect is certain, Investors were not as easy to find as they are now.&nbsp;

Obi Emelonye on the set of 'Badamasi' [Instagram/@obiemelonye]

Filmmakers depended on their meagre savings to produce films and in Emelonye's case, his older brother, Amasike Emelonye, who is credited as producer, funded the herculean movie.

Productions of this magnitude are not without challenges. For principal photography, the original plan was to shoot using the carcass of a plane. The plane was supposed to be transported from Abuja to Tinapa in Cross River state which was the director's first choice location.&nbsp;

"When that deal fell through, I was forced to source a real aircraft. It would have been tough to get away with a make-believe plane set because most of the actions in the film happened on the plane.

"Through the help of the then airport manager of Murtala Mohammed airport domestic terminal 1, we were allowed to use a plane that was functioning but not in service at the time".

With a plane already in the mix, the production team had to get over 100 casts and crew security authorisation to allow for the shoot on the airport's Apron. Getting daily renewal of security checks for the massive production crew and casts for almost one week was exhausting but not as nearly catastrophic as shooting in uncontrolled environment.&nbsp;

"This led to the bleeding of our green screen onto&nbsp;the skin of the actors resulting in major difficulties in post-production.&nbsp;Another challenge was achieving visual realism in crashing a plane on a shoestring budget as well as mastering CGI, visual FX, original music and narrative grade.

Obi Emelonye on the set of 'Crazy, Lovely, Cool' , shot in the University of Nigeria, Nsukka [Instagram/@obiemelonye]

Ultimately, 'Last Flight to Abuja' provided the challenge of managing the promotion of a delicate film when every sensible advice will be to the contrary. These challenges presented opportunities to learn and become the wiser and more experienced filmmaker that I am today".

On June 15, 2020, 'Last Flight To Abuja' began streaming on Netflix eight years after it first premiered in London. Unsurprisingly, the flick shot to top spot in its first week.&nbsp;

Reminiscing on the laborious distribution journey, Emelonye shares how the tragic Dana Air plane crash of June 3, 2012, forced the postponement of the Nigerian premiere and the downsizing of PR activities for its London release.

"'Last Flight to Abuja' was scheduled for a UK theatrical release two weeks after the premiere. However, I was racked by guilt, trying to promote a film about a plane crash when one had just happened. It is impossible to release a film without promotion and the result was that the cinema release of 'Last Flight to Abuja' in London did not work. After 2 weeks of listless performance at the UK box office, it was yanked.

"With the Nigeria premiere and release planned for August (2 months away), I was at crossroads on how to proceed with the project. Diamond Bank, my partners for the premiere advised that we should postpone the premiere and cinema release because the nerve of the Nigerian public was still raw.&nbsp;

"While agreeing that it was not the most opportune moment, I argued that 'Last Flight to Abuja' may be the longest-lasting legacy to those killed in the recent crash and the many that had happened in the past. Without the film serving as a constant reminder of the many catastrophic lapses that were allowed every day in the sector, Nigerians will easily move on with their lives and the past and its lessons will be forgotten. My partners bought my argument and the release was planned with gusto and a revised strategy that dedicated the film to the lives so needlessly lost".

The PR campaign of the film was rigorous this time with features on TV, radio, print and online platforms. Its premiere was covered by CNN as part of Emelonye's&nbsp;African Voices&nbsp;interview.

Recently, the seasoned filmmaker announced another gargantuan production-&nbsp;a biopic of the revered former head of state,&nbsp;General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida.&nbsp;

'BADAMASI: Portrait of a General' was shot in Lagos, Minna, Abuja and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka where Emelonye graduated some 30 years ago.

The biopic's production has since been trailed by media attention and after the push back of its 2019 release, a wave of Chinese whispers emerged.

"It took me nearly 4 years to convince General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (Rtd) to give me the rights to make this first of its kind biopic. But in the end, he did wholeheartedly grant that right.&nbsp;

"One of the lessons from 'Last Flight to Abuja' was that the timing of the release of a film could be one of the most important considerations in its journey to success. With that experience behind me, I have not worried too much when circumstances beyond our control meant that the release of BADAMASI was cancelled last year. This is because I know that we have not just made a film about one of the most controversial and iconic Nigerian’s alive, we have made history. And someday soon, that film will see the light of day and whenever that is, it would be more than a film release. It will be a cultural, political and historical signpost of Nigerian state".

Stories and productions in the works will continue to cost Obi Emelonye sleep. It is his creator's plague! At the moment, the director is putting together an inspiring film based on the&nbsp;Salesians of Don Bosco&nbsp;Roman Catholic order. The film titled 'The Oratory' may make its way to Netflix upon release.

Also in the works is an Igbo film and another production which has been in development hell since 2012. Emelonye terms it the "most ambitious film" of his filmmaking career.&nbsp;

Almost ten years after the release of 'Last Flight to Abuja', its recent reception on Netflix is a reminder of its maker's greatness.

Obi Emelonye talks lessons from making Nollywood classics [Pulse Interview]

<h1>Obi Emelonye has officially joined filmmakers across the globe in their exploration of technological mediums to ensure they keep telling stories amid the Coronavirus pandemic.</h1>

The Nollywood filmmaker has revealed that his latest project, 'Heart 2 Heart' was shot with mobile phones and remotely directed using popular video communications application, Zoom.

Emelonye's upcoming film reportedly follows a long-distance video call between two lovebirds as they discuss how their wedding was cancelled due to the coronavirus outbreak. It stars JideKene Achufusi

Obi Emelonye to premiere 'Heart 2 Heart' directed remotely with Zoom

Emelonye is set to premiere his latest film project shot with mobile phones and directed remotely using Zoom.

Obi Emelonye to premiere 'Heart 2 Heart' directed remotely using Zoom

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