Actress Defends A Very Dirty Christmas, Denies Disrespect to Christianity
An actress and producer of the film A Very Dirty Christmas has dismissed claims that the movie disrespects Christianity or the Christmas season, insisting that all legal and regulatory requirements were fully met before its release.
In a statement, she said the film received all necessary approvals from relevant authorities, including the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) and the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), stressing that there was no intention to demean or ridicule Christianity or its values.
“Prior to the release of this film, all legal and regulatory requirements governing motion pictures in Nigeria were fully complied with. At no time was there any intention to dishonour Christianity, the Christmas season, or the values held dear by millions of Nigerians,” she stated.
Describing herself as a devout Christian, the actress said her faith plays a central role in her life and guides her values and choices.
“I would never knowingly create or associate myself with any work that seeks to misrepresent, disrespect, or undermine my religion or the essence of Christmas,” she added.
She explained that the title of the film is metaphorical, noting that the story explores contrasts often associated with the season, including joy and struggle, appearance and truth, and human imperfection.
“Christmas, while sacred, is also a season that reveals contrast. Storytelling relies on these contrasts to encourage reflection, not to cause offence,” she said.
The filmmaker also expressed surprise that objections were only raised after the film’s release, despite its title being publicly promoted across various media platforms ahead of time.
“Throughout the promotion period, no concerns were raised. Early engagement would have allowed for constructive dialogue and mutual understanding,” she noted.
While acknowledging concerns expressed by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), she emphasized the need for dialogue and mutual respect at the intersection of faith, culture and creative expression.
She invited Nigerians to watch the film and form their own opinions, announcing plans to visit cinemas nationwide for meet-and-greet sessions with viewers.
“I invite everyone to go to cinemas across Nigeria to watch A Very Dirty Christmas for themselves, see the story and judge it in its proper context,” she said.
