A movie inspired by Sickle Cell anaemia, ‘Ben from Downstairs’, is set to be released in the cinemas in Nigeria.
The movie, produced and directed by Anita Anwunah, featured Nollywood’s Abayomi Alvin, Juliet Njemanze, Emeka Okoye, George Chux, Samira Fashina, Patricia Nkechi Egbon and others.
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Anwunah, while addressing journalists at the end of the private screening in Abuja, said her plan was to make people know that real-life problems were actually more serious than people thought.
She said, “Because we don’t have a particular problem doesn’t mean it is not important; people are going through a lot and it will be nice for people to be understood.
“Sickle cell is one particular disease discussed in the film and it is just an example of a problem that we have in the society.”
One of the audiences and a carrier of the disease, Abdul Abdullahi, described the movie as a vivid representation of his youth, adding that it would help increase the awareness of the disease.
“We lack a lot of awareness of this disease in Nigeria and Nigeria being the highest country with this disease, we need more of this. I am impressed that she is not a carrier of the disease but she took interest in trying to help,” he said.
The movie is set to be released in cinemas across Nigeria on May 13.
