Veteran Nollywood actor Kanayo O. Kanayo will star in “Out of Breath.” This is his first major Igbo-speaking role in a long time! This is a big deal for Kanayo because he became famous for playing Chief Omego in an Igbo-language movie titled “Living in Bondage” way back in the day. Even though he’s starred in tonnes of movies since then, “Out of Breath” will be his first chance to get back to his roots in a big production.
He wrote in a caption for an Instagram post regarding the new film trailer,
Everyone is at home in his dialect. English language remains a borrowed tongue.”
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The movie “Out of Breath” is an epic story told in the Igbo language. It’s based on real-life events and promises to be a powerful African tale about bravery and holding onto traditions. Obi Emelonye, who released the trailer on his birthday, March 24th, directed the movie.
“I have planted another legacy tree by cooking something in Igbo,” he posted on Twitter.
We turn 57 today, my twin brother Uche and I.I have planted another legacy tree by cooking something in Igbo- OUT OF BREATH. To make this ‘olding’ man happy today, please share this trailer until every Igbo, Nigerian and every African online has seen it.🙏🏽 https://t.co/7AWsgxcYWS
— Obi Emelonye (@obiemelonye) March 24, 2024
“Out of Breath” also stars a bunch of other well-known Nollywood actors. They include Jidekene Achufusi (whom we mentioned earlier), Chidi Mokeme, Queen Nwokoye, and several others.
The movie is special because it’s an epic story told in an indigenous language, Igbo, which isn’t as common in mainstream Nollywood. In recent years, there have been a few other successful epic movies in Yoruba, another Nigerian language. Some of these movies include “Aníkúlápó” and “King of Thieves.” Another Yoruba epic called “Beast of Two Worlds” is actually coming out in theatres on March 29th.
There’s no word yet on exactly when “Out of Breath” will be released in theatres.
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