Nollywood actress and filmmaker Ini Edo has appealed to regulators and the public not to withdraw her newly released movie, A Very Dirty Christmas, from cinemas, insisting that the film does not ridicule Christianity and urging critics to watch it before passing judgment.
In an emotional video posted on her Instagram page on Sunday night, Edo pleaded repeatedly that the film be allowed to remain in cinemas, stressing that the controversy stemmed from its title rather than its content.
“Please don’t pull my film. Just allow people to watch it,” she said. “Watch the film and then come back to say it degrades Christians or Christianity. If it dishonours God or Christians in any way, I will pull it myself and bear the consequences. I will not be part of something like that.”
Explaining the intention behind the title, Edo said it was never meant to demean the Christian faith.
“We chose A Very Dirty Christmas without any intention to disrespect Christendom or dishonour God,” she said. “There is no ‘dirt’ in this film. It is about family conflicts, hidden truths and personal struggles. It does not ridicule Christians.”
The actress noted that the film had only recently been released nationwide and warned that withdrawing it would have serious financial implications.
“I took money from investors to make this film. It is showing in over 70 cinemas across the country, and we’ve spent heavily on print, media and digital promotion. I honestly don’t know how we would recover from that,” she said.
Edo confirmed that regulators had asked the producers to change the title and said she was willing to comply, while appealing that the film should not be pulled from cinemas.
“They’ve asked us to change the title or risk having the film pulled. I am ready to do that, but I’m asking for time,” she said. “Christians are not the people I want problems with because I am one. Please don’t pull the film.”
She also apologised to anyone offended by the title, maintaining that there was no malicious intent.
“If the title has hurt anyone, I am truly sorry. That was never the intention,” she said.
The appeal follows concerns raised by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) over the film’s title.
In a statement dated December 16 and signed by its President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, CAN described the title as offensive and disrespectful to the Christian faith, and called for a review by the appropriate authorities.
Reacting to the controversy, the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) said it had asked the producer to modify the film’s title, while acknowledging public concerns.
“The Board recognises that public perception and reception are critical elements of effective regulation,” the NFVCB said. “In light of the concerns raised by CAN, and in the spirit of responsiveness and dialogue, we have requested the producer to modify the title.”
The board added that it remained guided by the provisions of the National Film and Video Censors Board Act, including Section 39(1), which empowers the Film Censorship Committee to withdraw a film from exhibition for further review where necessary in the public interest.
Edo, however, reiterated that she would never deliberately offend her faith, describing herself as a devout Christian.
“I am a Christian. I would never sit in a gathering where Christians are ridiculed,” she said.
She concluded with a final appeal for understanding: “All I’m asking for is a fair chance. Let people watch the film before judging it.”
