A charming, new romantic comedy from EbonyLife Films, The Royal Hibiscus Hotel, will be screened for the very first time
at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in September 2017. The movie
is the only Nigerian selection and one of just three African features in the
Contemporary World Cinema category, which spotlights forty-eight
of the best new films
worldwide.
Set in Lagos and London, The Royal Hibiscus Hotel tells the story
of a disillusioned London chef,
‘Ope’, who returns to Nigeria and discovers that going home can bring
unexpected surprises. This is director Ishaya Bako’s second feature, following his
debut, The Road to Yesterday. The cast includes Zainab Balogun, Kenneth Okolie,
Deyemi Okanlawon and O.C. Ukeje, with veteran actors Rachel Oniga, Jide Kosoko,
Olu Jacobs and Joke Silva, many of whom are expected to join the director in
Toronto for the screening.
of a disillusioned London chef,
‘Ope’, who returns to Nigeria and discovers that going home can bring
unexpected surprises. This is director Ishaya Bako’s second feature, following his
debut, The Road to Yesterday. The cast includes Zainab Balogun, Kenneth Okolie,
Deyemi Okanlawon and O.C. Ukeje, with veteran actors Rachel Oniga, Jide Kosoko,
Olu Jacobs and Joke Silva, many of whom are expected to join the director in
Toronto for the screening.
The soundtrack features a score by award-winning musician, Cobhams
Asuquo, and songs by leading Nigerian artistes including, Romeo and Juliet by Johnny Drille; Chemistry by Falz and Simi; Skintight
by Mr. Eazi; and Tonight, Ocean and Radio by Nonso Amadi.
Asuquo, and songs by leading Nigerian artistes including, Romeo and Juliet by Johnny Drille; Chemistry by Falz and Simi; Skintight
by Mr. Eazi; and Tonight, Ocean and Radio by Nonso Amadi.
Mo Abudu, Executive Producer, is thrilled
about the upcoming premiere. “The Royal Hibiscus Hotel has been a passion project for me – the chance to tell an intimate story that has
heart and soul, and explores romantic love in the older and younger generations.
The film addresses some of the challenges around communication in
relationships, while managing to be funny, warm and entertaining. Many of us
have forgotten what it feels like to fall in love – I hope The Royal Hibiscus
Hotel re-ignites this feeling in us all,” she said.
about the upcoming premiere. “The Royal Hibiscus Hotel has been a passion project for me – the chance to tell an intimate story that has
heart and soul, and explores romantic love in the older and younger generations.
The film addresses some of the challenges around communication in
relationships, while managing to be funny, warm and entertaining. Many of us
have forgotten what it feels like to fall in love – I hope The Royal Hibiscus
Hotel re-ignites this feeling in us all,” she said.
Receiving such a significant accolade is important because it
identifies the movie as a quality title. It is the second time an EbonyLife film
has been chosen for TIFF, the
world’s most important publicly attended
film festival. The first was for the blockbuster, The Wedding Party, which went on to
become the highest-grossing Nigerian movie of all time.
identifies the movie as a quality title. It is the second time an EbonyLife film
has been chosen for TIFF, the
world’s most important publicly attended
film festival. The first was for the blockbuster, The Wedding Party, which went on to
become the highest-grossing Nigerian movie of all time.
The TIFF premiere
of The Royal Hibiscus Hotel is good news for filmmakers in Nigeria and
the continent – and provides further confirmation that positive
African stories are attaining global recognition, which is indicative of
improved scripting and higher production values.
of The Royal Hibiscus Hotel is good news for filmmakers in Nigeria and
the continent – and provides further confirmation that positive
African stories are attaining global recognition, which is indicative of
improved scripting and higher production values.
Major Nigerian bank, Fidelity and Guinness Nigeria Plc are keen
supporters of the film. According to Adenike Adebola, Guinness Nigeria Plc’s Marketing
Director – Guinness, Spirits and Reserve, “Johnnie Walker celebrates the journeys of the
Nigerian Film Industry. For us, the selection of The Royal Hibiscus Hotel to
screen at TIFF represents even more of the inspiration that abounds within the
next generation of storytellers in Nollywood. We are fully vested in our belief
that our films have a rightful place on the global stage.”
supporters of the film. According to Adenike Adebola, Guinness Nigeria Plc’s Marketing
Director – Guinness, Spirits and Reserve, “Johnnie Walker celebrates the journeys of the
Nigerian Film Industry. For us, the selection of The Royal Hibiscus Hotel to
screen at TIFF represents even more of the inspiration that abounds within the
next generation of storytellers in Nollywood. We are fully vested in our belief
that our films have a rightful place on the global stage.”
Charles Aigbe, Divisional Head, Brands
& Communications, Fidelity Bank was equally pleased of the association. “We are proud to be partnering with
EbonyLife Films on changing the Nigerian and African narrative,” he said.
& Communications, Fidelity Bank was equally pleased of the association. “We are proud to be partnering with
EbonyLife Films on changing the Nigerian and African narrative,” he said.
The 2017 edition of The Toronto International Film Festival will take
place from September 7-17. The Royal
Hibiscus Hotel is scheduled for release in February 2018.
place from September 7-17. The Royal
Hibiscus Hotel is scheduled for release in February 2018.
