Nollywood. “One Night in Vegas” in red carpet premiere in Dublin

Star studded Nollywood blockbuster film “One Night in Vegas” will premiere from 7 pm at the prestigious Hilton Hotel in Dublin Ireland on Saturday April 19 2014

Ghanaian superstars John Dumelo and Yvonne Nelson who play the leading roles in the highly emotional drama of a family in crisis with Sandra Fon Dufe and  Fatima Cisse will be in Dublin for the launch of the film in Europe. The red carpet event will be hosted by Ghanaian television host, actor and Filmmaker Chris Attoh.Guests are expected to fly in from Paris, UK and a number of other European capitals to see in flesh the stars that have mostly seen only in motions so they could get some photo shoots and signed autographs.

Shalom Ventures and KS Productions organized the evenCreative Entrepreneur and Marketing lecturer Diamond Ebs Esoh is one of the brains behind the organization

Francis Ngwa put the questions.

Q Which big film stars will be attending the premier and why has it been billed as the biggest African event in Europe on that day?

A

Diamond Ebs Esoh

First of all, it’s a six figure budget African film that was done really well with great performances from a star-studded cast. We’re expecting at 6 celebrities at the premier – Yvonne Nelson, John Dumelo, Koby Maxwell, who’s a popstar and producer of the film, American actress Fatima Cisse whose parents are originally from Guinea and Sierra Leone, Chris Attoh who will be hosting the event, and our very own Sandra Fon Dufe. Unfortunately, Jimmy Jean Louis would not be able to join us, after the unfortunate death of his father.

Q What type of fans are you expecting to attend the Dublin premiere and where/how can people buy tickets?

A

Everyone who loves a good film, Yvonne Nelson fans, John Dumelo fans. People are coming from England and Paris to see John Dumelo and Sandra Fon Dufe. Even people who hate Chris Attoh’s character in Tinsel and always felt like Kwame needed to be knocked down a peg are free to come.

Q. Give a few reasons why anyone should buy a plane ticket from say France, Germany or the UK to attend the premiere?

A

Investing in a bit of entertainment after all the hard work is not going to kill us. It’s Easter weekend after all and this is a great show, at an exquisite location, on the most beautiful island on earth in the presence of some of the most celebrated actors. As the Irish say, it’s great craic!

Q There have been criticism that one of the reasons films like “One Night in Vegas”, though a blockbuster in any sense, does not bring in the megabucks that Bollywood or Hollywood films can make because Africans mostly don’t support heir own. How can you get Africans more interested in supporting their actors, musicians, etc.

A

Fatima-Cisse-Koby-Maxwell

Africans need to seriously consider the fact the project doesn’t wrap after post-production. Because there’s no point making a great film if no one is going to see it. I don’t like to criticize African filmmakers because they’re trying really hard to make magic with very little resources and for little to no gain. Africans not supporting their own is predominantly a Diaspora problem for which there’s no single bullet solution. We’re a tough bunch to market to because usually we require a personal marketing approach that is prohibitively expensive. Flavour packs a stadium in Cameroon at entry fee from 5,000frs cfa. If he came here and we charged £50, the equivalent of that, it’ll be a tough sell. And that’s really Ironic. When it comes to spending on entertainment, the real bushfallers are the people back home. But that’s due to a number of things, some of which are perfectly understandable. People in the Diaspora are perhaps not as star struck as the people back home. Secondly, Africans in the Diaspora live an exceptionally hectic lifestyle, have astronomical bills to pay and so many responsibilities back home. Value for money means a lot. Like I said, there’s no easy solution.

Q. Very briefly, what is One Night in Vegas” about?

A

John Dumelo is this big shot guy who comes out on top from a high-profile case that seems to have taken a toll on his marriage. So he decides to take his wife, Genie (Yvonne Nelson) on a trip to Las Vegas in the hope of rekindling their relationship. Only to find out that what happens in Vegas doesn’t always stay in Vegas.

Q You have been at the forefront of supporting actors from Cameroon and Africa. Why did you decide to start doing that?

Chris Attoh. Host

I didn’t just decide to start doing this. I’ve been in entertainment since I was 16. I organized several nationwide tours and promoted singers like Kris Badd, Jackie Biho, Aboyoyo, Dakwass Star, my friend and brother, St. John Agbortabi (SAS), one of the greatest dancers of our generation, etc. I worked with Foly Diran, Alain Tchasso and Ulrich. And then I went into film because I was a damn good writer. My first film “The Irreproachable Cops” was done in 1996 with a British Cinematographer, the Elad brothers, my friend and brother Nkumbe who’s a promoter in Holland. I continued acting when I emigrated to Ireland and then I put a stop on everything to concentrate on family and building a career in Academia. So, I’ve been at this a long and I’m just getting back to doing something I’m passionate about, not for the hype

Sandra Fon Dufe. Cameroonian star in blockbuster “One Night in Vega”