Actress Ini Edo became emotional during an Instagram Live session after the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) threatened to take down her movie, “A Very Dirty Christmas”, claiming the title was insulting to Christianity.
Ini Edo explained that the film was a labour of love, created with dedication and long-term promotion.
Ini Edo breaks down after CAN threatens movie over title
Speaking to her followers, Ini Edo emphasised that she and her team are all Christians, and that the controversy over the movie’s title was never meant to offend anyone.
She said, “I did this movie. I put my sweat, my blood into it. We promoted the movie for such a long time. If at any point anybody had said anything, we wouldn’t have gone on with it. We as a team are all Christians.”
The actress went further to apologise to CAN, stressing that she had no intention of insulting the faith.
“If I had known the title ‘A Very Dirty Christmas’ would cause a problem, I would have changed it. CAN, I am sorry. I never meant to insult or disgrace Christians. I am a Christian too,” Ini Edo added, visibly in tears.
She also pleaded, “Just don’t pull my film, please. Just allow people to watch. Watch the film and come back and say that this film degrades Christians or degrades Christianity. Then I will pull it.”
The controversy has sparked heated debate online, with Nigerians weighing in on CAN’s reaction and questioning the association’s priorities.
Many users contrasted the response to the movie with other pressing challenges affecting Christians in the country
Social media reactions:
@Judechigozie: “Misplaced priority. People supposed to be fighting what is killing its members & believers in Benue and parts of Nigeria but no, they are fighting a person who is not fighting them.”
@realC: “I don’t know why she’s taking CAN seriously. What have they said about the 12 bodies buried by Rev. Dachomo recently?”
@TowersO: “Only fools will see CAN’s action as wrong. They should have titled the movie ‘A Very Dirty Eid’ & release it towards end of Ramadan. This same mindset is why Christians get attacked in the North without consequence.”
@SiftuBari: “CAN who ignores people being killed in the North, now complaining about a movie?”
Watch the video below…