Category Archives: Life & Style

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Angelina Jolie Donates Proceeds of First Film’s Soundtrack to Charity in Bosnia

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Jolie for refugees
Angelina Jolie

American actress Angelina Jolie who is well known for humanitarian causes as a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said that the SOS Children’s Villages in Bosnia and Herzegovina will receive a sizable part of the proceeds from the soundtrack LP of her thrilling new film In the Land of Blood and Honey, which is her debut as a director and screenwriter. The review was published in Supple Magazine last August.

In the Land of Blood and Honey

The SOS Children’s Villages in Bosnia and Herzegovina have been caring for the children adversely affected by the Balkans war back in the 1990s.

“We are happy that a portion of the proceeds from the film’s soundtrack will support SOS Children’s Village in Bosnia and Herzegovina to provide stable, family-based homes to children, regardless of religion, ethnicity or gender, who do not have their own families to care for them”, Jolie said.

In The Land of Blood and Honey has received favourable critical reviews and last December the Producers Guild of America announced that the film would be honored with its 2012 Stanley Kramer Award and it has been nominated in the Best Foreign Language category for the 69th Golden Globe Awards.

The following is the Official Soundtrack List for Angelina Jolie’s “In The Land of Blood and Honey”:

Music Composed by
Gabriel Yared
(The Lives Of Others, Cold Mountain)
Release Date: 01/10/12
1. When The Heart Dies (3:59)
Performed by Nataša Mirković – De Ro
2. Sables Mouvants (3:15)
Composed by Gabriel Yared
3. Towards The Unknown (2:16)
Composed by Gabriel Yared
4. The Loss (3:04)
Composed by Gabriel Yared
5. Miss Sarajevo* (5:44)
Performed by Passengers and Luciano Pavarotti
6. Evo Jedne Što Se Svira Na Plaži
(Here’s One That Is Sung By The Sea)* (2:53)
Performed by Bombaj Stampa
7. The Waves (5:11)
Performed by Dado Džihan & Waves and Patterns
8. Moja Bozicna* (4:14)
Performed by Rade Šerbedžija & Miroslav Tadić
9. Zemlja (2:13)
Performed by Samir Besirevic
10. Tebi Za Ljubav (3:15)
Performed by Radisa Urosevic
11. Stani Draga (3:52)
Performed by Almer Imamovic
12. Od Srca (From The Heart) (2:58)
Performed by Boban Markovic Orkestar
13. A Wish (3:59)
Performed by Dado Džihan & Waves and Patterns

~ By Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima

Ghanaian Actresses Are Hotter Than Nigerian Actresses

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YV1
Yvonne Nelson

Ghanaian Actresses Are Hotter Than Nigerian Actresses

Nadia-Buari-2
Nadia Buari

Jackie Appiah
Jackie Appiah

joselyn_dumas sitting
Jocelyn Dumas

When you compare Nigerian actresses with Ghanaian actresses, you will see that the Ghanaian Actresses Yvonne Nelson, Yvonne Okoro, Juliet Ibrahim, Nana Ama McBrown and Jocelyn Dumas are hotter than Nigeria’s Genevieve Nnaji, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, Rita Dominic, Mercy Johnson, Ini Edo and Tonto Dike on and off screen. They have more swagger and style, like Yvonne Nelson and Jocelyn Dumas who are already fast becoming style icons in Ghana and beyond. Yvonne Nelson in particular is just too hot from her head to her toes.

Genevieve-Nnaji135
Genevieve Nnaji

Omotola
Omotola Jalade Ekeinde

Ini Edo
Ini Edo

What makes the Ghollywood actresses hotter than Nollywood actresses? Their thrilling sex appeal and trendy style! Except for Mercy Johnson and the audacious Tonto Dike, the other Nollywood divas cannot compete with Yvonne Nelson, Yvonne Okoro, Juliet Ibrahim, Ashanti sex symbol Nana-Ama-Mcbrown and Joselyn-Dumas.

Juliet Ibahim first

Juliet Ibrahim 3

Juliet Ibrahim 4
Juliet Ibrahim

It takes more than a pretty face to be hot! When you are hot, you are sexy and so the Ghanaian actresses are definitely sexier than Nigerian actresses, because they are more daring to go the extra mile in playing their roles in romantic and erotic scenes of movies. The Nigerian actresses seem to be inhibited by certain reasons restraining them from emphasizing their sexuality in movies. They are coy when it comes to romantic and erotic roles and you can see that they are slyly hesitant; but coquettish.

Yvonne Okoro
Yvonne Okoro

Mercy Johnson
Mercy Johnson

Nana Ama Mc Brown

nana_ama_mcbrown blue
Nana Ama McBrown

Ghanaian actress Amake Abebrese (Sinking Sands) beat Nigeria’s Queen of Nollywood Genevieve Nnaji (Tango With Me) and Omoni Oboli (Anchor Baby) in the 2011 African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) to win the Best Actress Award. So, Ghollywood has actresses who can stand and walk tall in competition with the best Nollywood divas.

Tonto-Dike1

tonto
Tonto Dike

The African woman is naturally sexy and as they say hips don’t lie, African women from their lips to their hips are sex symbols from coast to coast. And they don’t need Victoria’s Secret brassieres or thongs to prove their sexuality. That is why African maidens from Ghana to Nigeria and down to Swaziland and South Africa were bold to walk and dance topless in traditional festivals before the hypocritical Western puritans and prudes introduced their moral and religious code of conduct to restrict the public display of the sexuality of African beauty. We can still see more of the sexuality of the African beauty in Ghanaian actresses and that has made them hotter than the majority of Nigerian actresses.

~ By Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima

Iara Lee’s Cultures of Resistance Attracts Nigerian Press

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Top Nigerian journalists from both the print and electronic news media were at the first press conference and screening of Iara Lee’s Cultures of Resistance Wednesday evening November 9, 2011, at the Goethe Institut in the City Hall on the Lagos Island.

Iara Lee Large
Iara Lee

In attendance were Michael Nwandibie and his crew from the Silverbird TV, Collins Talker and Gboyega Obarafo from Galaxy TV, Shaibu Husseini of The Guardian, Nkiru Ifeajuna of the News Agency of Nigeria, Flora Onwudiwe of the Daily Champion, Wale Idowu-Shadrach, the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Movietainment magazine and other members of the news media.

Mr. Hope Obioma Opara, President of Eko International Film Festival and Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima, Founder of Eko International Film Festival and Publisher/Editor of Nigerians Report commended Marc-André Schmachtel, Director of the Goethe Institut for supporting the press conference and screening of Iara Lee’s multiple awards winning socio-political documentary film Cultures of Resistance.

Mr. Opara announced that Eko International Film Festival will henceforth be held every November and condemned the counterfeiting and trademark piracy of the film festival by Mr. Paul Obazele of Royal Pictures and his faction of the Association of Movie Producers (AMP).

Among the guests were the famous Nigerian filmmaker Dr. Ola Balogun who featured in the documentary, David Adejo, Aderinsola Ajao, Yacoub Adeleke, Meg Masha the hostess of the Ember Creek’s weekly Salsa Dance Night, fast rising actor and hip-hop rap artiste Aloysius Onyejegbu, aka 2MS, John Sessau and others.

Dr. Ola Balogun spoke on the bravery of Iara Lee in daring to go to the dangerous locations of political conflicts in the Middle East, Amazon Jungle, Niger Delta, Liberia, Rwanda and other battlegrounds of war and socio-political resistance to record her thrilling documentary which she is using as an instrument of justice and peace in her global human rights activities.

A Scene from Iara Lee's Cultures-of-Resistance
One of the tensed scenes of Cultures of Resistance

He said Cultures of Resistance is the genre of transformational documentaries that Nigerian TV stations should broadcast to the millions of people in the most populous country in Africa, because of the outstanding positive impact it would make on the cultural and political enlightenment of the people in view of the recurrent ethno religious and political violence in the northern regions of Nigeria. Then he dismissed the mediocrity of the popular Nigerian hip hop artistes and the abuse of the best practices of the film industry by the unprofessional opportunists in Nollywood.

Vincent Opurum: We Can Compete With the Best in the World

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VINCENT 3

Vincent Opurum: We Can Compete With the Best in the World

Vincent Opurum is one of the new heartthrobs in Nollyood with his good looks and fun loving swagger. He has played prominent roles in TV soap operas and in Nigerian home videos. His outstanding acting skills have been proved over 12 movies so far. His lover boy role in BlackBerry Babes increased his thousands of fans, especially his female admirers who see him as a sex symbol and he has been romantically linked with the pretty and sexy, but controversial actress Tonto Dike. Vincent has also attracted public attention for his roles in My Love My Sorrow, Heavy Battle, Desert Storm, One Last Feeling, Stolen Desire, Breath Of Love, Empty Coffin, Forget Heaven, Unending Love, Kingdom Of Men, The King and The Medians, Royal Ammargidom , Mission To No Where, Fake Prophet, Holy Prostitutes, Looking For Husband and Mother’s Love.

VINCENT 2

“I am decent but controversial and I love to put smile on people faces.I love what I do and most people don’t know that I’m a good footballer as well,” said Vincent when we met after the Nigerian premiere of Djo Munga’s Congolese gangster thriller Viva Riva at the Lagos office of the Nigerian Film Corporation last month.

Vincent and Stephanie

He is from the Igbo region, but grew up among Hausas in kaduna state, before he found his way to Lagos to become an actor and he is really happy that he has become notable within a short time.

“We have all it takes to compete with the best in the world, from Bollywood to Hollywood,” he said.
Vincent loves good music and appreciates the beauty of nature.
“The road to success is a lonely path, yet with God and strong belief with determination, success is sure,” he concluded.

World Premiere of Michael Jackson THE IMMORTAL World Tour in Montreal!

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“I am excited to see how Michael’s vision and passion for music and dance will be interpreted by Cirque du Soleil for the Immortal Tour,” said Mrs. Jackson. “His vibrant spirit and love for performing will be honored in this unique tribute to Michael’s legacy.”

michael-jackson-cirque-du-soleil-poster

Montreal, October 2, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — The Estate of Michael Jackson and Cirque du Soleil are proud to present tonight the World Premiere of Michael Jackson THE IMMORTAL World Tour™ in Montreal at the Bell Centre. Proudly presented by Sun Life Financial, tonight’s performance is the kick-off of the world tour which will travel across North America and then the rest of the world. The show was written and directed by Jamie King, the leading concert director in pop music today.

Members of the Jackson Family, including Michael’s mother, Katherine, and his three children, along with special guests and generous donors for La Soirée ONE DROP will be on hand to experience this once-in-a-lifetime electrifying production that will combine Michael Jackson’s music and choreography with Cirque du Soleil creativity, to give fans worldwide a unique view into the spirit, passion and heart of the artistic genius who forever transformed global pop culture.

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MONTREAL, Oct. 2: Katherine Jackson and her three sons, Tito, Jackie and Marlon attend the world premiere of Michael Jackson THE IMMORTAL World Tour by Cirque du Soleil.

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MONTREAL, Oct. 2: Michael’s children, Prince, Paris and Blanket, along with their cousins attend the world premiere of Michael Jackson THE IMMORTAL World Tour by Cirque du Soleil.

Click here for more details.

Angelina Jolie’s Baptism of Fire

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Angelina Jolie on Vanity Fair

Famous American actress Angelina Jolie‘s thrilling new film In the Land of Blood and Honey, which she admits has changed her view on acting is her baptism of fire as a director and screenwriter.

She said her beau Brad Pitt thought she was going to have nightmares on location. But “I had such a good experience he thinks I’m going to be impatient with directors, which I already am. I get impatient with people working on a film that have their head in their hands like it’s the most complicated thing in the world.”

I had the flu,” Jolie says. “I had to be quarantined from the children for two days. I was in the attic of a house in France. I was isolated, pacing. I don’t watch TV and I wasn’t reading anything. So I started writing. I went from the beginning to the end. I didn’t know any other way.”

Angelina Jolie having her baptême du feu directing In the Land of Blood and Honey.

“I’ve never felt more exposed. My whole career, I’ve hidden behind other people’s words,” said Angelina and also dismissed the pregnancy and secret wedding rumours.
“I’m not pregnant. I’m not adopting at the moment. And no secret wedding,” she said boldly.

Jolie is twice married and divorced from actors Jonny Lee Miller and Billy Bob Thornton before settling down with Brad Pitt with whom she has three adopted children, Maddox, Pax, and Zahara, and three biological children, Shiloh, Knox and and Vivienne.

In the Land of Blood and Honey is a thrilling love story during the traumatic Bosnian Civil War in the early 1990s and produced in both in English and the Bosnian-Croatian-Serbian language known as BCS. The film is expected to be released on December 23, 2011.

You will read the complete exclusive interview in the October issue of Vanity Fair.

J’odie – Kuchi Kuchi (Oh Baby)

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Jodie

Nigerian Singer, J’odie, releases her first video, for the baby-inspired Zouk song which was produced by Phat-E and released at the tail end of 2010. The song exudes innocence and is extremely melodic in its delivery and her style can be described in three words; Soulful, Artsy… Simply African

Jodie 2

Artist Summary
Genres: Pop / Neo-Soul / zouk
Management: +234 803 334 7467
Artist Bio

Joy Odiete, popularly known as Jodie, born on the 22nd of June, is a young soulful singer from Nigeria with a personality that exudes African freshness and originality.

Being one the favorite finalist in the premier edition of Idols, West Africa, her debut has been anticipated by fans not only in Nigeria, but among other African viewers.

Finally, her first single, “Fighter”, is out. “Fighter” was born out of her determination to achieve her musical dream and never to give up.

Jodie is a singer, songwriter and jewelry artiste. She loves being African and so keeps her virgin hair… Jodie is simply “Jodie”!

www.reverbnation.com/jodiegreat
www.twitter.com/jodiegreat

Three Film Icons, One Film Festival

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12 Aug 2011 17:39 Africa/Lagos

Three Film Icons, One Film Festival

Madsen, Stockwell, and Wexler to be honored at the 2011 Albuquerque Film Festival

PR Newswire

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., Aug. 12, 2011

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., Aug. 12, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — It’s a celebration of film as the 2011 Albuquerque Film Festival (AFF) honors actors Michael Madsen and Dean Stockwell along with cinematographer Haskell Wexler for their inspired careers and achievements in film at the Albuquerque Film Festival Legend Awards (August 18-21, 2011).

AFF has crafted an outstanding lineup of festivities featuring Madsen, “AFF Maverick Award” recipient and revered poet. Madsen will appear at a book signing and poetry reading prior to the screening of Reservoir Dogs at the KiMo Theatre. He will also participate in the Dennis Hopper Memorial Bike Ride – leading a pack of Harley riders down Central Boulevard to the screening of Hell Ride. Director, writer and co-star, Larry Bishop, will also attend the film screening – part of AFF’s Midnight Movies with Michael Madsen series.

In addition to recognizing the works of Madsen, AFF will present several other awards. “Dennis Lee Hopper Award” recipient, Dean Stockwell , will appear at The Guild Cinema for the screening of Married to the Mob, which earned him an Academy Award nomination. Haskell Wexler , best known for his work on One Flew Over the Cookoo’s Nest and Who’s Afraid of Virginia Wolf , will receive the “AFF Cinematography Award” and present a screening of Matewan. Madsen, Stockwell and Wexler will all be on hand to accept their awards at the Closing Night Ceremony of the AFF Legend Awards at the Hyatt Regency Downtown Albuquerque.

Additional highlights of the festival include screenings of films across various genres and a slew of film workshops and panels hosted by esteemed industry players including Todd Jefferson, Tony Mark, Giancarlo Esposito and Joshua Michael Stern.

For complete AFF 2011 program listings, tickets and festival passes, visit ABQfilmfestival.com or find us on Facebook.

About Film 4 Change

The mission of Film 4 Change (a project of The International Humanities Center) is to transform community through the power of story, laughter, art and music. We produce, promote and present socially conscious media and present an annual festival of film and related arts.

About The Albuquerque Film Festival

Now in its third year, The Albuquerque Film Festival is establishing itself as a first-rate festival that represents diversity, innovation and creative achievement in film.

Download photo: http://www.itsatrip.org/media/press-releases/AFF2011Promo.jpg

SOURCE Albuquerque Film Festival

CONTACT: Wendi Gelfound, Albuquerque Film Festival, +1- 575-770-2895, marketing@abqfilmfestival.com

Web Site: http://www.abqfilmfestival.com

Christy Essien-Igbokwe, Nigeria’s Queen of Soul has Passed On

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Christy-Essien-Igbokwe
Christy Essien-Igbokwe (November, 18th. 1960 – June 30th. 2011)

Nigeria has lost one of her greatest women, the “Queen of Soul”, Christy Uduak Essien-Igbokwe, who passed away at about 9.15a.m. Thursday at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja, Lagos.

Popularly known by her maiden name Christy Essien before she got married, she was a great singer who was like a sister to millions of her fans in Nigeria.

She was the first Nigerian Queen of Soul music admired and loved by millions of music lovers in Nigeria and other countries.

I have been one of her countless fans since her successful acting career as a colourful TV actress in the popular TV comedy series Masquerade of the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA), playing the drama queen as “Apeno”, the wife of “Jegede”, played by the late Claude Eke.

The television series was created by James Iroha who played the role of “Gringory”, one of the houseboys of “Chief Zebrudaya Okoroigwe Nwogbo, alias 4:30.” played by Chika Okpala.

Christy Uduak Essien-Igbokwe was born on the 11th November, 1960, Her talents as an actress and singer were discovered in her teenage years in secondary school, acting and singing at various clubs until she passed the audition for one of the leading roles in the Masquerade in 1976. Christy was an instant hit and became a household name in Nigeria. In 1977 at only 17, she began her professional musical career and released several top selling albums and her 1981 hit album “Ever Liked My Person” produced by Lemmy Jackson was rated the best.

She was the first female President of Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN) and the Chairman and Managing Director of Soul Train Entertainment Limited. She was honoured with many laurels incuding the Nigerian Lady of Songs award, Africa Music Mother award, International Special Achievement award in Mexico, World Song Festival Award in Los Angeles, Queen of Music International award, Association of Theatre Arts Practitioners award and Outstanding Achievement in Female Uplifting award.

Click here for the discography of Christy Uduak Essien-Igbokwe

May God grant her peace in her transition to eternal glory and comfort her bereaved family, relations, friends, associates and millions of fans in Nigeria and abroad.

~ Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima