'30 DAYS IN ATLANTA' IS NIGERIA’S HIGHEST GROSSING FILM EVER – MURRAY-BRUCE

 

MAKES N85M IN 2 MONTHS

After two months of showing at cinemas across the country and making a whop­ping N85 million, 30 Days In Atlanta, a movie produced by top comedian, Ayo Makun popularly known as AY, has been pronounced as Nigeria’s highest grossing film ever.

According to Mr. Guy Murray-Bruce, Executive Direc­tor, Silverbird Distribution, the movie raked in a whooping N85 million only in eight weeks, which made it the highest grossing film in Nigeria. “That it is N85 million is quite impressive for a Nol­lywood film and we are so proud of AY. We hope he produces more movies in the nearest future,” he enthused.

The Muray Bruce-led Silverbird Film Distribution has contributed immensely to the development of Nigerian film industry globally known as Nol­lywood. Since its inception in 2007, the company has released different genres of movies in­cluding Hollywood, Bollywood and Nollywood blockbusters.

Speaking on their achieve­ments so far, Ms Rosana Hart, Business Manager, Silverbird Film Distribution, says 2014 has been a remarkable year for the organization, with the release of Hollywood movies like Think Like A Man Too, Amazing Spi­der Man and The Equalizer to mention a few. “Also, there have been some great Nollywood releases such as Knocking on Heaven’s Door, Single, Married And Complicated 2, Being Mrs. Elliot, A Place In The Stars, and recently released 30 Days in Atlanta, a movie that has topped box office charts across the country, grossing an impressive N85 million since its theatrical release on October 31, 2014,” she said.

Described as a hilarious and roller coaster twists, 30 Days In Atlanta is based on a popular comic character, Akpors, who is known for his display of naivety and astuteness with grains of truth in his act. The movie is a perfect blend of Nollywood and Hollywood stars starring the likes of Vivica Fox, Karlie Redd and Lynn Whitefield. Others include Richard Mofe-Damijo, Mercy Johnson, Ramsey Nouah, Desmond Elliot and comedian Ayo Makun (AY) as the lead actor.

“30 Days In Atlanta is still in cinemas, and if we extrapolate our data judging by exit poll from cinema lovers, perfor­mances and screen averages, the movie might as well gross over N100 million after Christmas,” Mr. Moses Babatope, Executive Director, Filmhouse Cinemas said.

Going by the figures made available by Uwem Jacobs, West Africa Agent for United Inter­national Pictures, South Africa, Kunle Afolayan’s Figurine is estimated to have grossed N20 million while Through The Glass, a film produced by Steph­anie Okereke, grossed only N10 million in 2008. In 2010, Ije, starring top acts like Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde and Genevieve Nnaji, raked in N57 million and this year, two blockbust­ers, Half Of A Yellow Sun and October 1 grossed an impressive N60 million and N50 million respectively.

To Miss Hart, the cur­rent milestones in Nollywood confirms the belief of Mr. Ben Murray-Bruce, President, Silverbird Group that Nigerians would celebrate their identity by supporting indigenous films in the cinemas.

She said: “We are quite pleased with the box office record set by 30 Days In Atlanta and are very optimistic about the possibilities of our local titles achieving more successes in future. However, like 30 Days In Atlanta, we also expect Lancelot Imasuen’s historical epic, Inva­sion 1897, and Emem Isong’s Champagne, which are currently showing at cinemas, to turn out box office hits.”