For Bling Lagosians’ screening, Elvina ‘takes’ family and friends to cinema

It was a colourful outing for the Ibru family, as they gathered last weekend in Lagos to celebrate the work of their sister and daughter, Elvina ‘Baby’.

Led by Chairman of The Guardian Group, Lady Maiden Alex-Ibru and Olorogun Oscar Ibru, they came out in large number to the private screening of the one hour, 39 minutes movie, The Bling Lagosians.

Also present were, Toke, Tive, Gloria, Obukome, Wanda, Aunty Caro, Stella, Tero, Mamero, Oyovwe, Olotu, Ria, Helen, Gabriel, Agatha, Akpofure and other family members.

Tagged, An Evening With Elvina Baby Ibru, it was an opportunity for friends and relatives to share in Elvina’s joys. In fact, her performance in the flick, which was scintillating, drew excitement; laughter, hug, and cheers.

The stellar cast of The Bling Lagosians include, Jide Kosoko, Monalisa Chinda, Toyin Abraham, Bisola Aiyeola, Osas Ighodaro, Ayoola Ayolola, BBNaija 3 star, Bamike Olawunmi ( Bambam), Helen Paul, Fathia Balogun, Broda Shaggi, Gbenga Titiloye, Winihin Jemide, Alex Ekubo, Tana Adelana, Ugo Monye and many more.

Directed by the founder of Terra Kulture, Bolanle Austen-Peters, the movie tells the story of a Lagos socialite (Mopeola), who is planning a flamboyant and expensive party for her 51st birthday. While her husband tries to prevent their family’s huge debt from being exposed, she recklessly continues with her plan, creating room for doom to set in.

Elvina and friends

Mopeola, the matriarch of Holloway family, exemplifies a typical Lagos socialite. She well represents the position of a true Lagos woman. She specifically reminds Demidun Tade-Smith, her oldest daughter and wife to George, a gorgeous pilot, that every woman has all that is required to control her family and get her husband to do her biddings.

Elvina fits so much into the character in a way that makes the audience confuse the story for reality. Her energy, action, and gestures, in no small way, bring life to the movie, keeping everybody glued to the screen till the very end. Her succinct role interpretation, in fact, elicits commendation from the audience. In almost every scene, she appears strong and captivating.

Speaking to The Guardian at the movie screening, Elvina expressed her excitement, adding that to be surrounded by family members and friends, with so much love, “is a dream come true.”

According to her, the only thing that’s missing tonight is the absence of “my mum and dad. My father always preaches togetherness and oneness, and to imagine that so many members of my family have turned up because of me is really very humbling.”

She said, “today is one of the best days I have ever had and I won’t forget it. Tonight is my most memorable night because I feel like I have just been given an Oscar with the kind of overwhelming love shown me.”

In the movie, she said, “I knew it was going to be huge because anything Bolanle Austen-Peters puts her hands, is always a success. In a country where we thought the theatre was dying, she stages play that people are fighting for tickets. I am glad to be a part of this.”

Olorogun Oscar Ibru said he was proud of the actress for bringing over 50 members of the Ibru clan scattered all over the world under one umbrella.

He added, “I am not only proud of Elvina in terms of the movie itself, but I am also proud of her ability to gather my family together; there are more than 50 of us here.

“The truth of the matter is that my sister, Elvina, is actually a superstar from birth. I am 14 years older than she and I have watched her grow. She went to the best schools in the world for drama and music.”

He added, Elvina almost disappointed everybody, who believed in her some years back, “when she said she was no longer going into acting and singing.”

On the family’s expectations of Elvina, he said, “well my father didn’t want her to do it, but I did, and my mother also encouraged her. But as she got older and better, she has now got out of the shell and I am very proud of her knowing that my mother didn’t waste her time encouraging her. As a family, we seem to have this ability to act and dance, I am not surprised at her ability; I have been very much behind her to ensure she goes further and I know she is going to be fantastic.”

On her choice of Elvina, the movie director, Austen-Peters, noted, “when I cast, what I look for is someone that can be as true and real to the character as much as possible; that’s what Elvina brings to the table, she is able to communicate the message I want to get across. So, I chose her based on her background and her ability as an actress.”