The outgoing President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Dr. Ejezie Emeka Rollas (MON), has urged the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) to adopt dialogue, restraint and constructive engagement in its response to creative works, following the association’s criticism of Ini Edo’s latest film, A Very Dirty Christmas.
CAN had described the movie’s title as offensive to Christianity, a position Rollas strongly disagreed with, insisting that the film neither insults nor ridicules the Christian faith.
In a statement released on Wednesday, Rollas described the title as a metaphorical and artistic expression reflecting the complex human realities that sometimes accompany the Christmas season, rather than an attack on the sanctity of the celebration.
“A complete viewing of the film confirms that it contains no scenes or narratives that ridicule, demean or undermine Christianity,” Rollas said. “Any assertions to the contrary would therefore benefit from a more comprehensive engagement with the work itself.”
He acknowledged the sacred nature of Christmas, noting that it symbolises holiness, redemption and hope, but stressed that lived experiences during the season vary widely and often shape individual perceptions.
“Such diversity of perception does not undermine the sanctity of Christmas,” he explained. “Rather, it reflects the complexity of lived faith.”
Rollas also defended Ini Edo’s personal faith, describing the actress and producer as a committed Christian who holds her beliefs in deep reverence.
“It would be inconsistent with her values and character to intentionally disparage the Christian faith she sincerely upholds,” he said, adding that creative storytelling often explores real-life experiences that may not always align neatly with societal expectations.
Addressing CAN’s concerns over the Nigerian Film and Video Censors Board’s approval of the movie title, Rollas noted that the Board operates within a clearly defined statutory framework designed to balance moral considerations with freedom of artistic expression.
He further pointed out that perspectives on Christmas differ even among Christian denominations, reinforcing the fact that the celebration is not perceived uniformly within the faith.
Rollas concluded by calling for mutual respect between faith-based institutions and the creative industry, emphasizing that open dialogue remains the most effective path to resolving cultural and moral disagreements.
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