Joseph Okechukwu Postpones Movie Premiere to Honor Late Actors

Actor and filmmaker Joseph Okechukwu has put a hold on the premiere of his movie, ‘Properties of the Gods’. He is doing this to honor the actors who helped create the film but have since passed away.

Okechukwu made this announcement during a private screening of the movie. The film looks at the Osu caste system in Igboland and its effects on love, relationships, and society.

He said the decision came after the deaths of two cast members, veteran singer and actress Onyeka Onwenu and Cynthia Okereke. Another actor, Zack Orji, is still recovering from two brain surgeries.

Okechukwu mentioned it would not be right to hold a big premiere while some cast members’ families are grieving.

Instead of the premiere, he said the money set aside for the event will be used to visit the families of the late actors and pay tribute to their work in the film.

He stated, “I wanted to remember all the stars we lost. We are going to suspend the premiere, and what we would have spent to do it. We will also pay condolence visits to the families of the star cast that died.”

Okechukwu said he will dedicate the film to Onyeka Onwenu. The movie is set to be released in cinemas on September 4, which he called “Onyeka Onwenu Day.”

He also mentioned that there will be a night of tributes on September 3 to honor the late singer and actress.

The producer shared plans for a tour of the South-East before the movie's release. They will visit traditional rulers and other important figures during this time.

Okechukwu explained that the movie took about four years to make, following more than 20 years of research about the Osu caste system. He invested about N500 million in production.

He said the project came from his long-standing fight against the Osu caste system, which he called a harmful practice that has caused generations to face discrimination.

He added that his activism led to an abolition event at the Agukwu Nri Palace in Anambra State in 2018. After that, more than 75 communities began working to end the practice.

Reflecting on the production, Okechukwu talked about the many challenges the project faced. He shared that some people advised him against making the film because of its sensitive topic.

He noted that production had to go back to set three times and faced delays, even with pressure from those wanting the movie out sooner.

“Many people wanted it to be out two years ago, but I refused because there were certain things that needed to be there. We wanted to make it worth the while,” he shared.

Okechukwu also remembered the deaths and health problems that happened during production. He said Okereke died while they were working on the film, and he later learned that another cast member had fallen seriously ill.

“I am not given to superstitions. About three different people met and asked me if I was sure I wanted to make the movie because the thing is too deep. Many people had wanted to make it but couldn’t. So many things went wrong with the production,” he added.

Maria Benjamin, who plays Ada in the film, described the production as emotional and powerful. This is her first movie.

She plays a woman who returns to Nigeria with a man she met in the United States. Their relationship faces challenges due to traditional beliefs about the Osu caste system.

Benjamin said the movie encourages viewers to embrace love despite old cultural limitations. Chike shared that filming was tough for her as she was pregnant with her first child at the time.

Guests at the event included Onwenu’s son TC, the Managing Director of Fidelity Bank Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe and her husband Ken Ikpe, CEO of Nile Entertainment Moses Babtope, and businessman Kennedy Okonkwo.