Nollywood actress and filmmaker Ini Edo has responded to criticisms from the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) over the title of her new movie, ”A Very Dirty Christmas”.
CAN, in a statement signed by its President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, had described the film’s title as offensive and disrespectful to the Christian faith. The association stated that Christmas is a sacred celebration marking the birth of Jesus Christ and symbolising purity, peace, love and redemption.
According to CAN, associating Christmas with the word “dirty” diminishes the spiritual significance of the season and reduces a solemn religious observance to something crude and sensational. While acknowledging the importance of creative freedom, the Christian body stressed that artistic expression must be exercised with responsibility and sensitivity, particularly in a religiously diverse society like Nigeria.
CAN further noted that creativity should promote unity and understanding rather than provoke or offend deeply held beliefs. The association also expressed concern that a film with such a title passed through regulatory and professional channels without adequate scrutiny.
Reacting to the criticism, Ini Edo took to her Instagram page on Friday to clarify the intention behind the movie’s title. The actress explained that the title is metaphorical and reflects the story and realities explored in the film.
Edo added that while Christmas is sacred, it is also a season that often exposes contrasts between appearance and truth, joy and struggle, virtue and human imperfection.
READ Her FULL STATEMENT BELOW;
Art, at its highest form, is meant to provoke thought, spark conversation, and reflect the complexities of human experience. It is in this spirit that A Very Dirty Christmas was created.
Prior to the release of this film, all legal and regulatory requirements governing motion pictures in Nigeria were fully complied with, including securing the appropriate approval from the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), amongst others. At no time was there any intention to demean, ridicule, or dishonour Christianity, the Christmas season, or the values held dear by millions of Nigerians.
I am a devout Christian. My faith is deeply personal to me, and it guides my values, my choices, and my life. I would never knowingly create or associate myself with any work that seeks to misrepresent, disrespect, or undermine my religion or the essence of Christmas.
The title of the film is metaphorical, reflecting the story being told and the realities explored within it. Christmas, while sacred, is also a season that often reveals the contrast between appearance and truth, joy and struggle, virtue and human imperfection. Storytelling has always relied on contrast to encourage reflection — not to cause offence.
It is also important to note that we have since been publicly promoting this film, with its title clearly visible across multiple media platforms. During this entire period, no concerns or objections were raised. It is therefore surprising that reservations are only being expressed after the film has been released and duly approved by the appropriate regulatory authority. Early engagement would have allowed for constructive dialogue and mutual understanding before now.
I acknowledge the concerns raised by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and I respect the important role faith plays in our society. Nigeria thrives when dialogue, understanding, and mutual respect guide our engagements, especially at the intersection of faith, culture, and creative expression.
I invite everyone to go to cinemas across Nigeria to watch A Very Dirty Christmas for themselves. See the story, feel the message and judge it in its proper context. I will continue to visit cinemas for meet and greet, so please look out for me at a cinema close to you. I can’t wait to meet you and share this experience together.