Michelle Bello’s acclaimed feature film “Small Boy” premieres in Lagos
Posted on Wednesday, June 9th, 2010 at 4:58 PMBy BellaNaija.com
For African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) award winning filmmaker, Michelle Bello, Thursday May 27th 2010 was a special and fulfilling day. Many months after her feature film, “Small Boy” had scooped wins and nominations at various awards ceremonies and film festivals, including Two AMAA awards for Best Art Direction and Best Young Child Actor in April 2009; Two nominations at the American Black Film Festival in Los Angeles in August 2008, the Heineken Red Star Award for Innovation in Film and the Target Filmmaker Award for Most Inspirational Film.
The movie finally came “home” for its official premiere which was held at the Silverbird Galleria in Lagos, Nigeria.
The event was compered by veteren TV host, Soni Irabor and graced by the movie’s lead star, AMAA award winning child actor – Richard Chukwuma, lead actress – Najide Dede, Nollywood star – Kate Henshaw-Nuttall, stage actress and TV presenter – Iretiola Doyle, TV presenters – Michelle Dede & Adora Oleh, members of the diplomatic community including Special Guest of Honour,Ambassador Segun Olusola and the filmmaker’s proud parents.
About Small Boy
Set in the slums of Lagos, Nigeria, Small Boy is based on a true story of a Sunny, 10 year old boy and his treacherous journey of survival. Living in Africa’s most densely populated slum, he witnesses his father’s regular physical abuse of his mother. Living in fear of his father, he tries to protect his mother but ends up in the crossfire.
Furious his mother decides to leave her husband and takes her two sons with her. Living in her friend’s house she struggles to put her life back together but frustrated lashes out at Sunny when he loses her money and beats him.
He runs away terrified and ends up on the streets of Lagos beginning his journey of survival. Wondering the streets he meets a street kid, Deola, and becomes part of his gang. Sunny soon discovers the world of drugs, violence and must learn how to survive or perish.
Huge congrats to Michelle! Great seeing young female filmmakers creating movies that go against the grain of Nigerian movies and show other aspects of the ‘Nigerian Story’.
Richard Chukwuma
Najite Dede
Kate Henshaw-Nuttall
Gospel musician, Olufunmi
Marcy Dolapo Olowu
Soni Irabor
Iretiola Doyle
Michelle Dede
AMAA winning filmmaker, Michelle Bello with her proud parents, AVM & Silvia Bello
Tags: AMAA, Michelle Bello
Marcy Dolapo Olowu is gonna have to give me her hair dresser’s phone number! Gorgeous hair!!
I concur…no be everytime lace wig and brazilian hair! It looks very classy..all in all this was an awesome gathering!
really inspiring
a wonderful story indeed can’t wait to watch the movie, just reading the above outline
Lol you ladies just stole the words right out of my mouth. I really appreciate the real hair… sometimes the weaves and wigs are just too much. Looked like a classy event. Sounds like a great story…Well done Miss (or Mrs.) Bello!
hello kate looks awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
yes kate looks so beautiful and young as ever i love u baby keep on taking good care of your self i like your style
Marcy I’m gonna have to cut your hair! It’s getting too much attention! lol! You look stunning love!
Who organised this event. It looks off the chain……………………..
Wowwww…………great storyline and plot!! This is really awesome. Before I got to the comments, I was diggin Marcy’s hair…………….looks so elegant. Tired of these damn brazilian weaves thats on every ones head!!
I was actually there, it was a really classy event! I saw one of the organisers wearing a “No Surprises” t-shirt, so probably, they were the ones who did it.
wow!!! everyone looks great.
i can’t wait to see this movie! when is it officially coming out on DVD?
I miss Lagos
@ D.O.T.M.H thank you! took the word out of my mouth!
Good job babes…..more grease to your elbows…
Slumdog Millionaire…without the “who wants to be a millionaire part”…uhm,i’m just saying:)
sorry but i don’t agree with you…
so any movie about a kid growing in a slum is an imitation of ‘Slumdog millioniare’?
good to see good quality movies coming out of nigeria…
hello,good work from michelle bello,please i have got some article,miss michelle bello would want to help with,i want to present my written story to her because it is something related to children still,i mean “small boy” shows ways in which children are being maltreated or abused,so,i have got a story about children on the street that i would love for miss michelle bello to produce,this is very different from small boy-another form in which children are being abused.please i am a Nigerian and i believe that the nigerian dream would not be let down,i would love her to go through my written work about these children on the street and trust me she would find it interesting,if there’s any way i could reach her even if it means meeting her or a representative in the office and sharing my views,
Nice!