On Sunday, July 6, Greenbelt Cinema hosted the highly anticipated U.S. premiere of Aso Ebi Diaries, the latest hit project from Lady Laide Films.
The special night was hosted by emcees Isaac Geralds and Yinka Tyson, who kept the crowd energized on the red carpet and in the auditorium. The sold-out screening featured special groups in attendance, including guests from Restoration Church, Afropan, Lady Laide Studios, MC Fola K, AS2B Productions, Ranti Exclusive, and Blooming Branches Learning Center. Special guests included producer, writer, and owner of Lady Laide Studios, Laide Daramola, famed designer Janet Aiyegbusi, and the mayor of Greenbelt, Emmett V. Jordan.
Directed by Biodun Stephen, the film chronicles the emotional trials, fun times, and dramatic events that center around Elizabeth Gomez, a woman whose life of wealth and glamour was derailed by a public scandal. Along with her friends Chizzy and Temi, Elizabeth battles through emotional setbacks and poor choices while reinforcing the importance of having strong community. With plenty of drama and loads of laughs, Aso Ebi or “family cloth” is the literal foundational fabric of the film.
Aso Ebi is a Yoruba term that signifies unity and solidarity through fashion, where family and friends wear matching outfits to celebrate a special occasion. In the film, we see the unique fabric on display at a variety of parties, including one for an engagement. In American culture, seeing an engagement party of this size and stature would outperform most weddings on this side of the hemisphere.
Elizabeth, who chooses to go by Fari, is a socialite who works her magic to get invites to the top parties in Lagos. The goal is to trend after each event, catching social media attention, podcast mentions, and becoming the topic of discussion across blogs. To achieve this, they’re constantly switching up their looks and doing whatever it takes to afford the finest fabric for their dresses.
Since the looks are the most important piece of the film, Yolanda Okereke and Janet Aiyegbusi were added to the team and released their full creativity throughout the film. Each piece was teeming with cultural pride as the breathtaking designs and captivating colors boasted elegance and luxury.
This Nollywood blockbuster has it all. More than the drama and the lessons taught, it was truly a feel-good film. Bad characters got their comeuppance, and the ladies were absolutely hilarious. Every character brought a unique form of comedy, catering to their character. Whether it was petty comments or off-the-wall threats, everyone played their part in making the film unforgettable.
The cast includes Shaffy Bello, Nancy Isime, Kunle Remi, Bukky Wright, Chizzy Alichi, Bukunmi Adeaga Ilori – Kie Kie, Daniel Etim Effiong, Daniel Lloyd, Kalu Ikeagwu, and Fadekemi Olumide-Aluko.
Aso Ebi Diaries is a hit and deserves its 9.5 out of 10 rating. This is one of the better Nollywood films I’ve seen in the past two years, and it teaches good lessons on life, and of course, in fashion. It’s not too serious (a flashback shows a past version of Ari that looks nothing like her whatsoever), but it’s not so outlandish that it deters from the main plot. Watching the growth of Fari, Chizzy, and Temi across the duration of the film should set a precedent for character arcs in movies. I knew there would be drama, backstabbing, and high fashion, but I was ill-prepared for exactly how funny this would be.
Follow Aso Ebi Diaries and Lady Laide Studios to find out the location of the next screening. The film is currently on a U.S. tour, and trust me, you don’t want to miss it.
-Jon Jones
Photos: Lady Laide Studios
Genre: Comedy/Drama/Romance
Rating: Unrated
Runtime: 2 hrs 5 mins
Trailer: Watch
U.S. Release Date: Pending