Invasion 1897 storms cinemas December 5

Celebrated Nollywood director, Lancelot Oduwa Imasuen, has concluded plans with Silverbird Distribution West Africa, for the theatrical release of his award-winning film, Invasion 1897.

According to a statement sent to SHOWBIZPLUSng, the film will be released on December 5, 2014, in Nigeria and Ghana.

Symbolically, the release of the film will coincide with the Igue Festival of the Benin Kingdom. The attempt of the British to traduce this festival was at the heart of the conflict explored in the film. The epic is based on the invasion of the great Benin Kingdom by the British in 1897, who then carted off Benin arts and artifacts which till date, still adorn museums around the world.

The film parades an impressive cast, which incudes Mike Omoregbe, Segun Arinze, Rudolph Walker, Charles Inojie, Paul Obazele, Justus Esiri, Charles 'Chucky' Venn, and Leo Mezie, 

The world premiere of Invasion 1897 took place on August 27, 2014 at the Toronto African Film & Music Festival. It was also premiered in Dallas on October 18, 2014. The movie won the award for Best Feature Film (Nigeria) at the Abuja International Film Festival 2014. It was also an official selection of the Africa International Film Festival 2014. 

Invasion 1897 has been endorsed by many reputable individuals and organizations, including the Oba of Benin, Oba Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolopolo Erediauwa 1; Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilization (CBAAC); the Obong of Calabar, HRH Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi-Otu V; Senator Daisy Danjuma; the Chairman of Feva TV Canada, Capt Dr Hosa Wells Okunbo; the Association of Movie Producers of Nigeria (AMP), and the Smithsonian Institute, Washington, USA.