Heaven's Hell is a 2019 Nigerian psychological intdrama film, produced and directed by Katung Aduwak;[1] it stars an ensemble cast which includes Nse Ikpe Etim, Fabian Adeoye Lojede, Bimbo Akintola, Chet Anekwe, Damilola Adegbite, OC Ukeje, Kalu Ikeagwu, Femi Jacobs, Bimbo Manuel and Gideon Okeke.[2][3] It is majorly financed by BGL Asset Management Ltd and One O Eight Media, with production support of other partners such as Hashtag Media House and Aberystwyth University.[4]

Heaven's Hell
Theatrical release poster
Directed byKatung Aduwak
Written byTenyin Ikpe Etim
Uyai Ikpe Etim
Produced byKatung Aduwak
Tenyin Ikpe Etim
Starring
CinematographyJeffrey Smith
Matthew Sleboda
Edited bySammie Amachree
Music byTola Adeogun
Triumph 'Tyrone' Grandeur
Production
companies
One O Eight Media
BGL Asset Management Ltd
Hashtag Media House
Distributed byGenesis Distribution
Release date
  • 10 May 2019 (2019-05-10)
Running time
95 minutes
CountryNigeria
LanguageEnglish

The film, which was inspired by a true story,[4] is set in Lagos city and tells the story of two housewives whose bond of friendship seem unbreakable, but is filled with deceit and betrayal; in the midst of the darkness that hovers above their relationships with their spouses. The film was initially scheduled for release on 23 January 2015,[5] but was delayed due to censorship.[6] It was eventually released on 10 May 2019.

Cast edit

Production edit

Heaven’s Hell has been flagged as a film that intends to help fight domestic violence against women and children.[4] Aduwak states: "...as it seems, domestic violence is still handled with kid's gloves in this part of the world. Ultimately, I want Heaven’s Hell to liberate people. I want it to inspire someone to get out of a bad relationship [..] whatever it can accomplish to make the world a saner place".[7][8] The development of the film took a year,[9] after which principal photography commenced on 9 April 2013 in Lagos with the major cast.[7][10] A couple of scenes were shot in Kirikiri Maximum and Medium Security Prisons in Lagos.[11] Filming in Lagos lasted over three weeks,[9] after which shooting was moved to Wales, where some scenes were also filmed.[12] The film was shot using Sony F55 cameras,[10] and the film's production was led by Jeffrey Smith.[7] The project was majorly financed by BGL Asset Management Ltd & One O Eight Media, with production support of other partners such as Hashtag Media House, and Aberystwyth University.[4][13]

Soundtrack edit

The official soundtrack from the film, titled "3rd World War", was performed by Jesse Jagz and Femi Kuti, and was released on 7 August 2013.[14]

Promotions and release edit

A press conference for the film was held on 8 April 2013 at Clear Essence, Ikoyi, Lagos, where it was announced that the film would be released in the third quarter of 2013.[10][15] It was however postponed due to unknown reasons.In December 2014, FilmOne Distribution officially announced that the film would be released on 23 January 2015;[5][16][17] it has however been delayed by the Nigerian Films and Video Censors Board due to the presence of some "explicit and inciting content". The filmmakers have been advised to re-edit the film before it can be released.[6] The distribution of the film which was initially helmed by FilmOne, has now been taken over by Genesis Distribution. The film was eventually released theatrically on 10 May 2019.

References edit

  1. ^ Udoh, Esther (9 May 2013). "Interview: Katung on himself & Heaven's Hell". DStv. Archived from the original on 30 December 2014. Retrieved 30 December 2014.
  2. ^ Segun, O. (4 April 2013). "Unveiling the Cast of Heaven's Hell". 36NG. Retrieved 30 December 2014.
  3. ^ Cole, Mistah (16 April 2013). "Details Of Star Studded HEAVEN'S HELL From Katung Aduwak Revealed". Movie Markers. Archived from the original on 5 November 2020. Retrieved 30 December 2014.
  4. ^ a b c d Adegoke, Segun (12 April 2013). "Heaven's Hell: The Movie, The Cast & My Point of View". 360nobs.com. Archived from the original on 15 December 2018. Retrieved 30 December 2014.
  5. ^ a b "FilmOne to open 2015 with Heavens Hell, Gone Too Far, The Department". The Sun Newspaper. 28 December 2014. Retrieved 30 December 2014.
  6. ^ a b Abulude, Samuel (23 January 2015). "Heaven's Hell Premiere Postponed". Leadership Newspaper. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 14 February 2015.
  7. ^ a b c Ogbu Rachel (April 2013). "Big Brother Nigeria winner, Katung Aduwak takes us behind the scenes of his film, Heaven's Hell (PHOTOS)". YNaija. Retrieved 30 December 2014.
  8. ^ Ayodele (26 April 2013). "Heavens Hell: Big Brother Nigeria winner, Katung Aduwak shoots his debut movie". GoodLife. Retrieved 30 December 2014.
  9. ^ a b Bewaji, Joy (28 April 2013). "Nigeria: Katung, Building a Multi-Million Dollar Movie Empire". allAfrica.com. Retrieved 30 December 2014.
  10. ^ a b c Emelike, Obinna (12 April 2013). "Inside Heaven's Hell". Business Day. Retrieved 30 December 2014.
  11. ^ Alonge, Osagie (8 May 2013). "PHOTO: Nse Ikpe-Etim spotted in Kirikiri prisons". Nigerian Entertainment Today. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 30 December 2014.
  12. ^ "No friend, no foe in Heaven's Hell". The Punch Newspaper. 12 April 2013. Archived from the original on 31 December 2014. Retrieved 30 December 2014.
  13. ^ Akande, Victor (5 May 2013). "Nse Ikpe- Etim, Bimbo Akintola, Kalu Ikeagwu for 'Heaven's Hell'". The Nation. Retrieved 30 December 2014.
  14. ^ "VIDEO: Jesse Jagz – '3rd world war' feat Femi Kuti". Nigerian Entertainment Today. 12 August 2013. Archived from the original on 6 November 2016. Retrieved 30 December 2014.
  15. ^ Njoku, Benjamin (1 December 2012). "Heaven's Hell set to raise the bar in Nollywood". Vanguard Newspaper. Retrieved 30 December 2014.
  16. ^ "FilmOne Announces 3 blockbuster Films Releasing In January 2015!". 9aijabooksandmovies. 26 December 2014. Retrieved 30 December 2014.
  17. ^ Dibebi, Ese (29 December 2014). "FilmOne To Start 2015 With Hatrick Of Movies". True Nollywood Stories. Archived from the original on 30 December 2014. Retrieved 30 December 2014.

External links edit