Nollywood actress and filmmaker Ini Edo has broken down in tears after her new movie, ”A Very Dirty Christmas,” faced criticism from the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) because of its title.
Recall that CAN had released a statement signed by its President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, called the film’s title offensive and disrespectful to the Christian faith. The association said Christmas is a sacred celebration that marks the birth of Jesus Christ and stands for purity, peace, love, and redemption.
CAN said that linking Christmas with the word “dirty” takes away from the spiritual meaning of the season and turns a serious religious event into something crude and sensational. The group also recognized the value of creative freedom but emphasized that artists should act with responsibility and sensitivity, especially in a diverse country like Nigeria.
In response, Ini Edo via her Instagram on Friday explained the meaning behind the movie’s title. She said the title is meant to be metaphorical and represents the themes and stories in the film.
The controversy prompted the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) to request a title.
READ ALSO: Why I Used The Title ‘Very Dirty Christmas’ For My New Movie – Ini Edo Replies CAN
In a recent update, the actress, visibly upset, pleaded with the Christian Association to give her film a chance.
She defended both her beliefs and her work, stressing that the title was symbolic, reflecting the family secrets and drama in the storyline, not a jab at Christmas or Christianity.
The movie, which debuted in cinemas on December 16, is now undergoing adjustments as the production team works with the NFVCB to rename the film and ease tensions.
“If I had known the title ‘A Very Dirty Christmas’ would cause a problem, I would have changed it. CAN, I am sorry. I never meant to insult or disgrace Christians. I am a Christian too. We are all Christians on the team. We prayed and reverenced God.” she said.
She added that she never meant to disrespect nor discredit Christians or God, and explained that she is a Christian herself.
”I can’I can’t believe the movie title is hurting people this much. This is me saying, I am sorry. Since it is, don’t pull my film down. Give me a fair fighting ground, let people go watch my film and say this film degrades Christians and Christianity, then I will pull it down,’‘ she said tearfully.