EbonyLife TV launches “NEW HORIZONS” a powerful short film against domestic violence.

LAGOS (MARCH 07, 2014) EbonyLife TV has added a vociferous say to the global fight against domestic violence with the launch and premiere of its long-awaited short film, “New Horizons”. A powerfully emotional and pulsating flick that spotlights the plight of women across Africa who have to bear the pains of domestic abuse, a crime far too familiar but rarely spoken about.

With the help of a top female producer, Tope Ogun, four of Nollywood’s hottest Divas, Funke Akindele, Rita Dominic, Kate Henshaw-Nuttal and Uche Jombo, use their tenacity, talent and achievement on and off the silver screen to collaborate in the brilliant production as they speak up and raise the spotlight against the silent but very dark issue.

“New Horizons” is the story of triumph over abuse of these four women from different walks of life who meet together within a self help group for women. They help each other get over and through their various challenges and arrive at a new horizon in their individual lives.

 A recent report has put between half and two thirds of Nigerian women at risk of domestic violence in their homes. Domestic violence affects all social groups and can consist of physical, sexual and psychological abuse. And although men can also be affected by domestic violence, it is the women who suffer excessively. This tendency is present everywhere in the world, but Africa’s discriminatory laws and the prevalent culture of silence and stigma for the victims of domestic violence continue to help to turn down the volume of the problem.

According to Funke Akindele (Sadie), “New Horizons is a project so dear to my heart! It’s a great opportunity to reach out to a lot of women. New Horizons will go a long way to promote #ZERO Tolerance to Domestic Violence and abuse.”

For Kate Henshaw (Adesuwa) “It was indeed a pleasure to be a part of the ‘New Horizons’ project. It was a passion of mine brought to life”.

Uche Jombo Roderiguez played Chika and she had this to say: “It was great to work with these actresses who feel the same way I do about advocacy for violence against women and kids…It is a blessing to be able to give back…”

Rita Dominic (Estelle) feels “It’s a project that’s dear to my heart…The issues in the movie ‘New Horizons’ are timely, relevant and must be exposed for what it is.”

‘New Horizons’

For Producer, Bose Oshin, “Domestic violence is a crime that can only be stopped when the victim speaks out and we attack it together. It is great to be able to this through this short film.”

According to Tope Oshin Ogun, Director/Producer, New Horizons, “New Horizons presents hope to the hopeless, and a voice to the voiceless. This is a cause I’m passionate about, hence lending my voice and direction as well as producing this movie, was very much in line with my passions as a filmmaker. My goal, our goal, is to change and affect lives positively while entertaining.”

For Pamela Ofoegbu, Head of Programming, EbonyLife TV, “Our channel is proud to have partnered with our screen divas Kate, Rita, Funke and Uche in the production of this short film as we all jointly say “zero tolerance to domestic violence”.

Executive Chairman and CEO of EbonyLife TV, Mo Abudu, has the following to say, “I feel a huge sense of accomplishment at the premiere of New Horizons. As the world celebrates World Women’s Day tomorrow, March 8, we dedicate the short movie to all the women of Nigeria, Africa and the world at large who may be going through this terrible scourge. We are happy to put this dark subject on the table for discussion so that there can be hope for many. For us, it may be the premiere of the movie; but for all women of Africa, it may just be the beginning of a new era; an era of self-discovery, awareness, belief, hope and confidence.”