The outgoing President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Dr. Ejezie Emeka Rollas (MON), has called for calm, dialogue and mutual respect between faith institutions and the creative industry amid the controversy surrounding Ini Edo’s latest film, A Very Dirty Christmas.
Rollas appealed in response to criticism from the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), which described the movie’s title as offensive to Christian values.
In a statement, the AGN leader insisted that the film’s title was neither an insult to Christianity nor an attack on the Body of Christ.
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Rather, he described it as a metaphorical and creative expression meant to reflect the complex realities that sometimes accompany the Christmas season, without mocking the faith or trivialising its doctrines.
According to Rollas, a full and contextual viewing of the movie shows that it does not ridicule, demean or undermine Christianity in any form.
“A complete viewing of the film confirms that it contains no scenes or narratives that ridicule, demean, or undermine Christianity. Any assertions to the contrary would therefore benefit from a more comprehensive engagement with the work itself,” he said.
He acknowledged the sacred significance of Christmas, describing it as a season that symbolises holiness, redemption, and hope, but noted that the period is also shaped by diverse human experiences and challenges.
“Christmas remains a sacred season symbolising holiness, redemption, and hope. Yet, it is also a period shaped by diverse human realities and challenges, which naturally influence how individuals perceive and experience the season. Such diversity of perception does not undermine the sanctity of Christmas but reflects the complexity of lived faith,” Rollas stated.
The AGN president also defended Ini Edo’s personal faith, stressing that the actress is a committed Christian who holds her beliefs in high esteem.
“Ini Edo is a committed Christian who holds her faith in deep reverence. It would be inconsistent with her values and character to intentionally disparage or diminish the Christian faith she sincerely upholds,” he said.
Rollas explained that as a creative professional, Edo’s work, like many forms of artistic expression, often draws from real-life experiences that may not always align strictly with conventional expectations, adding that this should not be interpreted as hostility or irreverence toward religion.
He concluded by urging CAN and other faith bodies to embrace constructive engagement with the creative industry, allowing creativity to thrive responsibly while preserving the sanctity of religious values.
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