Chigul Stuns As New Comedy Thriller, ‘Banana Island Ghost’ Set For Cinema Release

Posted on May 16, 2017

FUNSHO AROGUNDADE

On the heels of the movie teaser of Chigul’s (Chioma Omeruah) hilarious prayer for ‘Sumtin BIG’ that went viral a few weeks ago, BAM-NEMSIA Pictures has released the first official trailer of the highly anticipated movie, Banana Island Ghost (B.I.G).

The movie trailer was unveiled on Tuesday at the iMax Cinemas in Lekki, Lagos, to a very eager audience of media practitioners and industry enthusiasts who all hailed the trailer as “the best from Nollywood yet!”

This exceptional sneak peek of the slapstick movie, written and directed by BB Sasore, guarantees an action packed and comedy filled viewing experience when it is finally released in theatres across the country on August 4, 2017.

B.I.G also features international superstar Tomiwa Edun, and several Nollywood heavyweights including, Uche Jombo, Saheed Balogun, Ali Nuhu, Bimbo Manuel, Damilola Adegbite, Lala Akindoju and Dorcas Fapson.

Biola Alabi with some of the cast at the trailer release

Commenting on the trailer release, Biola Alabi, Executive Producer of the movie said, “Banana Island Ghost is unprecedented in many regards, and we believe that this trailer will excite viewers, across Nigeria and beyond, to look forward to a rib cracking experience when the movie hits the cinema screens in August.”

The former M-Net Africa boss added, “It will be an instant classic and pop-culture favourite across Nigeria and beyond. Get ready to be glued to your seats with your eyes fixed to the screen for a wholesome 90 minutes of action and comedy like never before!”

Also speaking on ‘Banana Island Ghost’, Omorinsojo Spaine, producer of the movie and partner at Nemsia Films said, “A lot of work and resources went into making this film, and I am very proud of what we’ve accomplished. The trailer has been hugely applauded and I can’t wait for everyone to see the film in August.”

In the movie, Chigul takes on her first leading role with a bang. Playing the boisterous Ijeoma, a down-on-her-luck woman with a big heart.

She brings the expected laughs that she is known for but she also takes on incredibly physical stunts in the action sequences.

Ijeoma, a woman in her 30s, looking for anyway to save her late father’s house from repossession by the bank.

She does several odd jobs daily including driving a taxi, doing street promotion and even petty theft to raise the N18 million she needed but her efforts seem to be in vain.

With three days left to find the money, she turns to God for a solution to her problem.

Her prayers are answered in the form of Patrick, the Ghost!

Together, they get into all kinds of hilarious situations but in the process help each other find purpose and fall in love.

Patrick Diabuah also takes on his first leading role as the lovable ghost also named Patrick.

He has died in an accident on Third Mainland Bridge and believes he cannot go to heaven without a soulmate so he also begs God for a few more days to find one.

God, having a sense of humor, pairs him with Ijeoma.

Although they hate each other at first, he quickly sees that they were put together for a reason.

Seasoned actress Tina Mba plays Ijeoma’s mother, who quietly disapproves of Ijeoma dedicating her life to saving a house that is no longer a home.

Uche Nwaefuna as Tope Queen Bee of Ijeoma’s main job at an office.

She goes out of her way to pick on Ijeoma and make her life miserable along with her sidekick Bimbo Ademoye who plays Anna.

Another industry key player, Saidi Balogun also brings the humor that he is well known for mostly in the Yoruba film industry.

He plays the role of DPO of Banana Island Police station and has a bit of an obsession with Ijeoma.

His love for her gets him roped into helping her save her house from the evil Mr King.

The flick, ‘Banana Island Ghost’ is the first from a slate of five films by BAM-NEMSIA Pictures, a co-production partnership between Biola Alabi Media (BAM) and Nemsia Films, headed by BB Sasore and Derin Adeyokunnu.

The two companies are combining their creative capabilities and wealth of experience to produce a slate of five ground-breaking films set to redefine Nollywood.

BAM-Nemsia has also brought on strategic partners and sponsors for this project; Dr. Ayo Osunrinade, Michael Ugwu, the founder of FreeMe Digital, Adenike Adekanbi of HTB Entertainment Studios, Mr. Niyi Toluwalope and Basheer Tosin Ashafa of Tri-Equity Capital who are all Co-Executive Producers.

Lipton, Sunlight Dishwasher, Coldstone Creamery, HelathPlus Pharmacy and Kilimanjaro Restaurants are all sponsors of the movie.

The movie was co-produced by Tolu Olusoga, Head of Productions at Biola Alabi Media (BAM).

FilmOne Distribution, who are in charge of theatrical release and distribution for Banana Island Ghost are very excited about this film and have expressed their enthusiasm.

Moses Babatope, Group ED/COO FilmOne Distribution asserted that “Banana Island Ghost is an outstanding endeavour and the level of dedication and professionalism that has been applied by everyone involved in the project, confirms to us that the film is set to be a record breaker.”