Nollywood actress and filmmaker Ini Edo has made an emotional appeal to regulators and the public not to remove her new movie A Very Dirty Christmas from cinemas, insisting that the film does not ridicule Christianity.
In a video shared on Instagram, Edo urged critics to watch the film before passing judgment, promising to withdraw it if found offensive. “Just don’t pull my film, please. Just allow people to watch. Watch the film and come back and say that this film degrades Christians or Christianity. Then I will pull it. If it dishonours God or Christians in any way, I will bear the consequences. I will not be part of something like that,” she said.
The film’s title has drawn criticism from the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), which described it as offensive and disrespectful. Edo clarified that the title was never intended to demean the faith, explaining that the movie focuses on family conflicts and hidden secrets rather than religion. “This film has no dirt in it. It highlights family conflicts, secrets unfolding. It does not ridicule Christians,” she explained.
The National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) has requested that the producer modify the title, citing public perception as a key factor in regulation. Edo, a devout Christian, apologised to anyone offended and expressed willingness to change the title. “Christians are not the people I want a problem with because I am one. I will try to change the title. Just give us some time. Don’t pull the film,” she said.
Appealing for understanding, she asked that the film be given a fair chance in cinemas. “All I’m asking is, don’t pull my film. Give me a fair fighting ground. Let people watch it.”
