Nollywood Film Producer Lancelot Imasuen To Mark Ovanrawmen’s Centenary With Historical Film

Ahead of world premiere of his much talked about historical film, "Invasion 1897", popular film producer and director, Lancelot Imasuen  has revealed  plans to mark the centenary of the demise of  the great King of Benin, Omo n' Oba Ovanrawmen Nogbaisi.

Ovanrawmen died in exile in Calabar on the 14th of January.1914. And to mark his centenary, the respected film director hosted special guests from corporate world and leading journalists at his newly established studio located in Surulere area of Lagos, on Tuesday, January 14.

According to him, "There is a whole lot of similarities between the Nigeria state and the Oba Ovonramwen phenomenon.

We will be holding a world press conference to mark 100 years of the death of Oba Ovonramwen on the 14th of January, 2014.


I visited the place where Oba Ovonramwen lived, died and was buried in Calabar during my recent visit to the place. To others, it's just a film. But to me, it's a movement.


On 14th of January, we are going to mark the centenary of Oba Ovonramwen demise, in Calabar."


Imasuen, who  returned to the country during the week from  the UK, where they  went to shoot the London scenes of "Invasion 1897", said, the historical film  which is due for world premiere soon,is bound to raise a lot of dust regarding the global injustice meted to the people of Benin  after the United Kingdom force of 1,200 under Admiral Sir Harry Rawson in 1897, captured, burned, and looted ancient artifacts belonging to the Benin Kingdom.


Describing the film as "the next big thing that matters to him", the Guvernor as he is fondly called by his fans hinted that they have completed production of the film  since May, last year.


Proudly supported by South Atlantic Petroleum, Imasuen said, when the film is finally released, the world would know the true story  surrounding the invasion  of the Benin Empire by the British force in 1897.


Top Nigerian actors playing lead roles in the epic movie include, Charles Inojie, Paul Obazele, Segun Arinze, Mac Omoregbee as Oba Ovonrawmen and the late Justus Esiri in a cameo role.


Also, starring in the film is famous Caribbean born British Actor, Rudolph Walker, Obe who replaced St. Lucian-born English actor Joseph Marcell.