Africa is popular for so many things, but one of the things that has driven Africa’s popularity in the western world in recent times is ‘Anchor Baby’, the movie by Lonzo Nzekwe that was described in the July – September edition of BBC Focus on Africa as ‘A movie with its roots in Africa that points to a bigger debate happening about the levels of immigration to the United States’.
After a successful journey through African cinemas, becoming a hit in every city it touches and with over 8 international awards from 11 International film festivals, ‘Anchor Baby’ is now set to premiere in UK one of the cities touched by the theme of the movie.
Come September 2, 2011, ‘Anchor Baby’ will be opening at Odeon Cinemas in UK; the cinema ‘Mirror Boy’ another African movie was first opened in, and as at the time of this release, ‘Anchor Baby’ has been confirmed to show in five other UK cinemas which are Odeon Greenwich, Lee Valley, Streatham, Surray Quays and Manchester Printworks. Speculations are high that more cinemas will be added to the list soon.
‘Anchor Baby’ tells the story of Paul Unanga (Sam Sarpong), Joyce Unanga (Omoni Oboli) a Nigerian couple based in the United States but who as at the time, have become illegal immigrants. Joyce is five months pregnant with the couple’s first child and the husband and wife are trying to hide from security agents despite being told to leave by voluntary departure but they are determined to have their baby born in America so as to make the baby an American citizen who can then facilitate same for the parents later on. Paul was later caught and deported while Joyce stayed back to struggle on her own to achieve their dream. The love, hope, pain and struggle that came with this decision is bound to stir up some emotion in you.
Speaking on the arrival of the movie in UK, Lonzo Nzekwe the producer said, ‘I have no doubt that the movie will do well in UK, because it did not succeed in Africa because it was written and produced by an African, it succeeded because it was a good story and I know that race not withstanding, everyone is receptive to a good story’.
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