Nollywood/Ghollywood stars dazzle in Stigma

Jackie Appiah on the set of Stigma

Stigma, a new film that is poised to battle and possibly eradicate the stigmatization persons living with AIDS/HIV go through on a daily basis is set to hit cinemas nationwide soon.

Already premiered to a huge audience at the Silverbird Cinema, Port-Harcourt, Rivers State, on December 1, 2013, the star-studded flick would soon embark on national and international screenings and exhibitions at both cinemas and film festivals in 2014.

Speaking on his involvement with such a global issue, the producer/director of Stigma, Dagogo Diminas, stated that the film was his own contribution to the unending fight against the stigmatization of people living with HIV/AIDS, adding that the film would help save lives.

“ I decided to embark on this huge project, which is also an advocacy tool because I want every individual living with HIV/AIDS to understand that there is more to life than mourning forever…Things happen anyway, we can’t change them, but we can change ourselves,” the amiable Kalabari, Rivers State-born Diminas asserted.

Elaborating more, the international makeup artist cum set designer now based in Berlin, German, further disclosed that the huge budget film was a true life story that shattered the home of a traditional midwife.

“Until her daughter, who was equally living with HIV/AIDS, decided to stand up in their community, which has already ostracized them to battle stigmatization.”

Some of the leading stars in the heart wrenching and suspense filled film from the stable of Terteen Fatman, include: Jackie Appiah, Hilda Dokubo, Emeka Ike, Soibifaa Dokubo, Clem Ohameze, Ngozi Nwosu, Francis Duru, Columbus Irosianga among others.

Jointly shot in Nigeria and Germany, some foreign technical collaborators on the project are: Robert Beugelink, director of photography, Sonja Nina Geller, executive in charge of productions, Andrea Pugner, creative editor and Honau Marais, sound man.

Diminas who currently shuttles between Nigeria and Germany, said he’s also grateful to the Rivers State Ministry of Health, for supporting his dream project.

“My aim is to end stigmatization with this movie. I want to specially thank the Rivers State Ministry of Health for deeming it fit to collaborate with us to premiere this film on December 1, 2013, as part of the activities marking World AIDS Day. We appreciate their support immensely. Like I always say to people, let them hate so long as we fight…stigmatization.”