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NEW
YORK, USA, October 1, 2005: The New Feature
film "STRANGE RANSOM" was screened at the Helmsly Hotel in Manhattan,
New York on October 1, 2005. Scheduled to coincide with Nigeria's
independence celebrations in New York City, the screening was attended
by Nigerian movie fans of different caliber including traditional
elders. Below are pictures of some of the stars of the movie and some
guests in attendance.
Writer,
Producer, Director: Tai Balofin
Jide
Kosoko
Alhaji
Sikuri Ayinde Barrister
Andy
Frankel
Brocton
Pierce
Kelly
Adams and Tai Balofin
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Guest
Review: Seasoned Journalist and film maker Tai Balofin last Saturday at the Helsmly on 42nd Street, New York , proved that his successful career in journalism is no fluke; with his incursion into the film industry. As strange ransom premieres, it has become a movie every one likes to have a glimpse of, as it is now talk of the town.
When the premiere began, it was stiff bound as you can hear a pin drop. It was captivating as audience was arrested to the large screen. Tai Balofin had class in the film as he played the lead role, it was good.
Perhaps because of his acting background, Balofin was able to infuse Hollywood and Nollywood into the movie. Featuring Afro-hip hop act Sound Sultan, Mctunes, Floxy Bee, Papa She, Kingsly Ogunde, and Lisa Marie, the fast beat song, a blend of both African, Western and a tinge of the Caribbean, rocked the movie for sound track. Tai Balofin is not only a distinguished actor, a script writer, but also a very good producer and Director.
The film was released under the auspices of the Afro-Hollywood pictures and Newday films. The premiere was attended by actors from Hollywood and film industry executives. The film has been in the news since the completion. For the first time the movie that brings the international community together is now in the forefront of film industry in the United States. The film features both Hollywood and Nollywood actors, part of the Hollywood actors include, Rhonda Gooding, Cuba Gooding Jr Family, Constance Turner, Brocton Piece, Andy Frankel, Lexie Blair, Liz Muthusamy, Sarah Logunleko, Stephanie Suarez, Lisa Marie, Yasmin Wasti, Oliver Mbamara and Tai Balofin. Ghanaian Actors, Nana Oduro, Abeiku Acquah featured prominently
The film features Nollywood actors which include, Prince Jide Kosoko, Toyin Adegbola ( Asewo to re
Mecca), Jude Away Away, Memoud Arab, Yemi Elebuibon, Alhaji Sikiru Ayinde Barrister, Kelly Adams and many more.
The movie will not be immediately available on DVD, but will be at the movie theatre for now. The movie will be available at the movie theaters in Hollywood, California, Chicago, Houston, Atlanta, New York, New Jersey and Washington DC.
Strange Ransom is a tale of how prejudice makes victims and instigators of us all. Madonna works as a bartender in New York and
eventually settles for a Nigerian boy friend, Ebenezer . She makes the acquaintance of African Ebenezer, an immigrant who wants to explore the greener pasture. At first she is attracted to Ebenezer because she is fascinated by his African background, Ebenezer slowly falls in love with her. The situation causes Ebenezers folks to exercise the same racial prejudice by which he was victimized. Ironically, he was arrested for a case he knew nothing about.
He ignored ethnic chauvinism for a drop of love. Both Madonna and Ebenezer buried their pasts and their prejudices to go on with their lives. It is exciting to watch this movie. It is never boring.. It's an intellectual experience, but an emotional one. Strange Ransom is a mixed bag, but at least it's interesting and almost never boring.
A belligerent little sex farce roiling inside an otherwise inconsequential lampoon. The movie is rude and ridiculous, fearless up to a point, and breathtakingly hungry to provoke.
This 120-minute strange ransom unravels like a ball of yarn.
A scabrous, provocative and often funny social satire about the American dream. Tai Balofin’s film is
fascinating. He addresses everything from corporate malfeasance to the African HIV epidemic cure and prophylactic antidotes for substance abuse, chemical dependency, and alcoholism
Strange Ransom manages to be tedious. This time, it's Tai Balofin who's doing the bamboozling.
Guest
Review By US AFrican Eye
Some
traditional elders on arrival at the screening
A
cross section of audience
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