Video Trailer: THE GUEST - A film by Christian Olayinka

A couple (Femi Jacobs and Somkele Idhalama) in a passionless but faithful marriage take in a down and out friend recently deported from England (Rita Dominic). 

Things quickly begin to unravel when the husband has an affair with this long time friend. "The Guest" is a thrilling feature film that explores love, passion, sex and some scary things some people will do to get what they want in life.

The Guest is a must watch movie

Starring : RITA DOMINIC, FEMI JACOBS, SOMKELE IDALAMAH ,CHIKA CHUKWU

Duration : 120 minutes

Not yet rated by the censors board

Camera : shot on black magic cinema camera..

BANNER Films Lagos Foluke Olaniyi T. 081 654 75555 nike_osun@yahoo.comfolukeolaniyi@bannerfilmsnig.com

ABOUT THE PROJECT

We came back to Nigeria with the intention of shooting a different project,while we were sourcing funds for that project we began to realize that we don't really understand how the Nigerian movie industry work yet. We were especially worried about the issue of piracy and we became uncomfortable with the idea of asking investors to fork over money we weren't sure how we were going to get back or if we were going to get it back, so we decided to go back to the drawing board and come up with a smaller project. The Guest was inspired by newspaper article about a woman who rented a flat somewhere in Lagos then befriended the landlord's wife, and after some time she began poisoning the woman in a bid to snatch the landlord. We thought perfect this story is straight forward and simple enough, little did we know it was going to take on a life of its own.

SYNOPSIS : THE GUEST is the story of a passionless but dedicated and faithfully married couple who take in an old friend. An affair soon begins between the husband and the friend,but when his adulterous partner starts to kill off members of their household who stands in the way of her getting what she wants the couple realize that they have it all in each other and that their family is worth fighting for. Rita Dominic, Femi Jacobs, Chika Chukwu and Somkele Idalamah star in this honest portrait of love,friendship, and family.

ABOUT THE CAST

RITA DOMINIC/NIKKI : Veteran actress Rita Dominic is one of the most sought after actresses in Africa. She is acclaimed for her ability to embody her characters and has appeared in over 100 movies. She continues to receive critical acclaim for her portrayal of iconic roles. Rita won the 2012 best actress at the African movie academy award and the East African Kalash awards for her role in the movie "shattered" she has also won multiple acting accolades including best actress in a comedy, at the 2015 AMVCA, for her honest and gritty portrayal of "Clara",she also won the prestigious "New Era Awards" at the 2014 AMVCA for her work in "The Meeting". Other works are "white Waters" "Distance Between" and Tchidi Chikere's nollywood Classic "All My Life". She continues to excite as one of the most dramatic actors of her generation.

FEMI JACOBS/ BILL OLISHEE : Femi jacobs is one of the most sought after Nollywood's leading actors.After discovering acting in 2006 as lead in his first feature film,CHOICES he joined Tinsel as Eddie the lawyer in 2009. He scored his first big break on the big screen when he landed the lead role in the widely acclaimed and multiple award winning 2012 romantic comedy, THE MEETING. The movie has earned the actor five nominations for Best Lead Actor including one at AAMA's, NEA, SCREEN NATION AWARDS UK, and AMVCA . He is the winner of BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR at the BEST OF NOLLYWOOD AWARDS 2014, and BEST ACTOR , COMEDY at the 2015 AMVCA. His passion is to inspire positive change in Africa with his talent and faith.

SOMKELE IDALAMAH/ LOLA OLISHE : Is a budding actress known for her role as fashion designer "Yvonne" on the AMVCA nominated web and television series "GIDI UP" she has also appeared in a few not yet released films.

CHIKA CHUKWU/ PEGGY Is a formidable actress with an acute sense of comedy and an innate understanding of what makes African storytelling work, she has appeared in many movies including "AMAZING GRACE" Kunle Afolayan's " PHONE SWAP" and Mildred Okow's "THE MEETING", " BEING MRS ELLIOTT" and the soon to be released "TRUE TO LOVE".

ABOUT THE FILMMAKERS

CHRISTIAN OLAYINKA/ DIRECTOR/ WRITER/ EDITOR : Christian Olayinka is a medical student turned filmmakers. He left the field of medicine for a career in filmmaking when he enrolled in an associate degree in filmmaking at the New York Film Academy. He has since worked on several indie films and shorts. He is also the founder and Chief operating officer of Banner films.

FOLUKE OLANIYI/ WRITER/ PRODUCER Is the Chief executive officer and creative director of Banner films. She has also worked for Mr Gene Kelly one of the producers of "the Pacific" "Rome"and " Band Of Brothers " she has produced some indie short films. She is also one of the daughters of the late Nigerian artist "Twins Seven Seven" she is currently in pre-production for an upcoming project with the working title "DISHONOR" .

Q & A WITH THE DIRECTOR

What was the process of getting this film off ground?

My producer met Femi Jacobs on the set of another film she gave him a copy of the script he read it liked it, he passed it on to Mildred Okow. Mildred loved it and gave it to Rita Dominic, Rita saw something in the character of Nikki and she immediately wanted to help tell her story. Once Rita and Femi are on board I knew my little film wasn't so little anymore.

Where was the movie shot?

I shot on Lagos Island and Lagos mainland in Ikeja.

How long was the shoot?

I shot for 30 days.

What was the most difficult scene to shoot for you?

There was this scene where Nikki was supposed to hit bill on the head with the butt of a gun, it was supposed to be a single take but for some reason it didn't work out that way,Femi got hit on the head the few times, at some point we had to stop shooting and ice his head, he was a good spot about it and never complained God bless him.

What was your inspiration for making this film?

 I have always been fascinated with discontentment. It's one of those human emotions that I don't understand I could never fathom why someone will not be satisfied with what or who they are, or what they have. So whenever the opportunity presents it self and there's a camera nearby I am always willing to explore those kind of stories. Describe the casting process and why it played such an important role in the film I got really lucky with the cast of this film. Rita, Femi, and Chika are all veteran actors I knew my work will be made tremendously easier just by having them. After they read the script they were all excited to help make the project a reality. Having Rita Dominic and Femi Jacobs play lover was also a bonus since they were mortal enemies in "The Meeting" I am grateful they decided to take on the roles because the script is intense and very physical almost every one on the set got sick. Only veterans actors can take on such roles in the amount of time we had to shoot the film.

What camera did you use?

The black magic cinema camera.

What format?

Uncompressed Raw HD.

What role did location played in the film?

 Ninety percent of the movie take place at the Olishe resident. I wanted a home that is clean,uncluttered and well kept. Lola is a clean woman inside and out so its only fitting that her environment reflect the same. Nikki on the other hand is a broken woman. Her mind is in a constant state of turmoil so I felt it was important for the story that the home she wanted to take over should reflect what she's always wanted on the inside which is serenity, peace, and quite. I hope the location helps in conveying that to the audience.

As one of the writer What do you think this movie is about??

 Innocence, trust, friendship and how we oftentimes don't see people for who they truly are but for how we want to see them.

CAST AND CREW

Rita Dominic - Nikki

Femi Jacobs - Bill Olishe

Somkele Idalamah - Lola Olishe

Chika Chukwu - Peggy

Chamberlain Okoro - Jimmy

Neville osai - Doctor

Omolola Ojo - Grandmother

Florence Paul - Mary

Joseph Etukudo - Issac

Jeremiah Etukudo - Stephen

Lekan Kolawole - Gateman

POLICE OFFICERS

Ayodele Funso

Segun Abodunrin

Dozie Adebori

Tosin Michael

Innocent Emmanuel

Seun Oyebode

CREW

Director - Christian Olayinka

Assistant director - Adebode Olawale

Production Coordinator - Muritala Olanrewaju

DOP - Richard Mabiaku

Asst DOP - Emmanuel Odihiri

Written by - Foluke Olaniyi

                      Christian Olayinka

Lights - Michael

Sound - Tolulope oluwabiyi

               Solanke Olusola

Still Photography - Lekan Kolawole

Production asst - Ernest,Ayodele Funso

Continuity - Olumide Ojo

Production design - Foluke Olaniyi

Asst wardrobe - Adesun Adedokun

Producer - Foluke Olaniyi