(MENAFN- Arab Times) Normal 0 false false false en-us x-none ar-sa /* style definitions */ table.msonormaltable {mso-style-name:"table normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"calibri""sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} abuja july 5 (agencies): nigerian censors on friday approved the release of the civil war film 'half of a yellow sun' after a more than two-month delay during which the producers agreed to edit certain scenes. the film based on the best-selling novel of the same name and starring oscar-nominated british actor chiwetel ejiofor is about the 1967-1970 biafra war which killed more than a million people many from starvation.
already showing in britain and the united states the film's nigeria release had been set for april but hours before its first scheduled public screening the national film and video censors board (nfvcb) blocked the release citing 'regulatory issues'. writing for the new yorker magazine's website in may the novel's author chimamanda ngozi adichie said the authorities were concerned about a scene in the film adaptation depicting the massacre of christians from the igbo ethnic group by muslim hausa tribesman at a northern nigeria airport. the southeast which is dominated by igbos cited such massacres as a key reason for their region's unilateral declaration of independence a move the sparked the civil war. approval the nvfcb has never clearly spelt out its opposition to the film but said in a statement on friday that 'half of a yellow sun' had been approved for release. censors board spokesman caesar kagho told afp he could not go into detail about what was removed from the film and why. kene mkparu of filmhouse cinemas which is distributing the film in nigeria told afp changes were made from the version shown in the west but declined to be specific. 'we didn't have to change the essence of the film but we complied with what they asked us to do' he said. ejiofor who was nominated for best actor at this year's academy awards for his role in '12 years a slave' which picked up best picture stars opposite british actress thandie newton in 'half of a yellow sun'. the southeast's attempt to create an independent igbo-led nation which they called biafra was crushed by british-backed federal forces which had military superiority and used scorched earth tactics including the blockage of all food imports to the breakaway region. more than four decades on the biafra war remains a highly contentious subject in nigeria with some marginal igbo groups still calling for independence. also: los angeles: quentin tarantino's new beverly cinema bought a digital projector shortly before the 'kill bill' director decried digital projection as 'the death of cinema' at the cannes film festival. michael torgan who operates the l.a. repertory theater told the wrap that the new beverly purchased the projector early last month in order to have greater access to current movies. tarantino is the landlord for the new beverly and does not handle its day to day operations. 'i was running into situations when i was talking with distributors for showings and the films were only available on digital' torgan lamented. previous to the purchase torgan would rent digital projectors when it was necessary. he said '35mm will always be first choice' but that he was relieved that the theater could play anything now. tarantino slammed digital projection as 'television in cinema' at a press conference prior to the festival's 20th anniversary screening of 'pulp fiction' on may 23. he admitted that digital projection makes it far easier for young film makers to produce their work but said the technology came at a cost. 'i'm hoping that while this generation is quite hopeless that the next one will demand the real thing' he said then. 'i'm very hopeful that future generations will be much smarter than this generation and realize what they lost.' 'pulp fiction' was the only film to be screened at cannes on film. 'the fact that most films aren't presented in 35mm means that the war is lost' he said. tarantino did not return a request for comment. while it appears that the reality of running a modern cinema includes digital projection as an option hopefully all is not lost.
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.