Critically acclaimed and award winning Nigerian movie, ‘Ije (The journey)’ will premiere at the Silverbird cinemas on New Year’s eve, December 31. Touted as one of the best Nigerian films of 2010, the must-see movie has received over 12 awards internationally and has been screened across the world.
Transporting the audience from lush countryside of Nigeria, to the intensity and seductive power of Los Angeles, Ije tells the story of two sisters with unbreakable bonds of loyalty and the power of human spirit. When Anya, the elder of the two, vows to chase her dreams of glamour in the Hollywood Hills, her younger sister –Chioma- warns her of the dark side of American Dream. Now, years later, in a world away from the life she knew, Anya is charged with the murder of three men, one of them her powerful husband. Chioma travels to her sister’s side to battle not only a flawed justice system with the aid of a young and disillusioned attorney, but the very notion of ‘truth’ as the culture values of two worlds collide. Weaving a melodic and beautiful score through rich visuals in Los Angeles and flashbacks on location in Nigeria, IJE, captures the viewer from the very first scene and delivers a powerful message through the moving conclusion. It stars Genevieve Nnaji and Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde.
Ije was written and directed by Chineze Anyaene, a very ambitious young woman who traveled to Los Angeles, California to begin a year film making program at the New York Film Academy. The concept for ‘Ije’ was born when Chineze decided to shoot a feature film for her thesis at the York Film Academy. The end results has been nothing short of amazing as the film has received numerous awards including:
Swansea Bay Area Film Festical -Best International Student Film
Canada International Film Festival -Excellence In Filmmaking
Treasure Cost International Film Festival – Best Editing
Hawawii International Film Festival – Excellence In Filmmaking
San Francisco Black Film Festival – Melvin Van Peeples Award
Arizona Black Film Showcase – Best Film Feature
Las Vegas International Film Festival – Golden Ace Award
Mexico International Film Festival- Silver Palm Award
Treasure Coast International Film Festival- Best Cinematography
Tresure Coast International Film Festival -Best Director