The Nigerian Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) has failed to issue certification for Half of a Yellow Sun in time for the movie’s release date, which was scheduled for 25 April.
Biyi Bandele’s Half Of A Yellow Sun is a film adaptation of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s Orange Prize-winning novel which tells the story of the Biafran War. The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2013 and stars Chiwetel Ejiofor and Thandie Newton.
There is some speculation that the board is concerned the film’s subject matter may provoke violence in the country, which has recently been devastated by the militant Islamist group Boko Haram’s abduction of over 200 school girls.
It was also rumoured that the delay in certification was due to a late submission of the film to the NFVCB for review, however FilmOne, the Nigerian distributors of Half of a Yellow Sun had submitted the movie two weeks prior to its scheduled release date, unlike the majority of films which are shown to the censor a day or two ahead of screening in Nigerian cinemas.
The NFVCB has released a statement on its website which claims it has not banned the film but that “certain aspects of the film have some unresolved issues which have to be sorted out in accordance with the law and laid down regulations.”
Visit the NFVCB website for more information.
View the trailer for Half of a Yellow Sun.
