Okonjo-Iweala, Ben Bruce, Genevieve dazzle at Beast of No Nation’s premiere

It was a star-studded event. And it was full of glamour and razzmatazz usually associated with the movie premiere of its kind. Indeed, the grand premiere of the highly acclaimed movie, Beast of No Nation, which took place at the Silverbird Galleria, Victoria Island, Lagos last Friday, will not be forgotten in a hurry.

The film, which features top acts like British-born Hollywood actor, Idris Elba, was earlier released on October 16 via streaming platform, Netflix. Following its screening in Canada, Italy, and London, the movie is now being shown in cinemas across Nigeria and Ghana courtesy Silverbird Film Distributions.

In attendance at the premiere last weekend were Idris Elba and co-star, Abraham Attah, the young Ghanaian prodigy who played Agu in the film. Both stars were accompanied to the red carpet by Senator Ben Murray Bruce, CEO, Silverbird Group and Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, former Finance Minster.

Others celebrities that graced the event included Nollywood stars like Genevieve Nnaji, Nse Ikpe Etim, Adesua Etomi, Yolanda Okereke, Blossom Chukwujekwu, Shawn Faqua, Wale Ojo, Bobby Michaels, Enyinna Nwigwe, Deyemi Okanlawon, Rukky Sanda, Uduak Oguamanam, Sambasa Nzeribe, Makida Moka, Somkele Iyamah, Damilola Adegbite, and Gbenro and Osas Ajibade.

Adapted from a 2005 novel of the same title by Uzodima Iweala, son of Okonjo-Iweala and shot in Ghana, the film was written for screen and directed by Cary Fukunaga.

Beast of No Nation is the story of a young boy, Agu (Abraham Attah) and his struggle for survival as his country goes through a horrific war. Describing the film as “a disruptive success”, Ted Sarandos, Chief Content Officer, Netflix, said three million viewers have already seen it across the world. The movie has earned Idris Elba a Golden Globe and SAG Awards nominations.