September 2, 2015 By Patrick Jaiah Kamara
Airtel Sierra Leone, in collaboration with Ramsey Films and Zedzee Multimedia, has sponsored a movie titled ‘Elephant in the Room’, that was written by Zainab Sheriff and directed by Nigerian actor and director, Ramsey Nouah.
At a presser held yesterday at the company’s head office at Hill Station, Ms. Sheriff, who is also part of the cast, said members of the cast are Sierra Leoneans, except Ramsey Nouah. She said the cost of production was expensive because of the Red Eye camera they used to record the movie, adding that they are working hard to promote local actors and actresses in the movie industry with a view to have international recognition.
She revealed that some percentage of the proceeds will be donated to Ebola survivor widows and her alma mater, and assured that they would continue to promote Sierra Leonean actors and actresses across the country.
“As part of our own contribution to the post-Ebola recovery, 20% of the proceeds will be given to the Ebola widows and 10% to my alma mater, the Islamic Primary School,” she said.
Ms. Sheriff said the movie will be premiered at the Miatta Conference Center on 26 and 27 September, thus encouraging everyone to attend.
She explained that the movie is a romantic comedy which features Desmond Finny, Michael Bonny Bassey, Daniel Moseray Jr., and Ramsey Nouah, and a host of others.
Airtel’s Director of Marketing, Patrick Caulker, assured that the company would always answer calls from well-meaning Sierra Leoneans, adding that they gave both financial support and technical advice to Zedzee Production towards the actualisation of the movie.
He explained that the company’s relationship with Zainab Sheriff did not arise from the ‘Elephant in the Room’ project, but had started way back when the former served as Airtel Brand Ambassador. He described Ms. Sheriff as a well focused and dedicated model in the country.
“We feel very humble to be part of Zedzee Production. We will continue to partner with any Sierra Leonean that is bent on supporting Ebola survivors; they are our heroes,” he said and added that the company is sponsoring 50 school children at Save our Soul (SOS) villages and 50 wannabe women entrepreneurs.
In a snap statement, Minister of Social Welfare, Gender and Children’s Affairs, Alhaji Moijueh Kaikai, commended Airtel and Ms. Sheriff for the initiative, and called on all to support Ebola survivors in a bid to prevent them from begging on the streets.
President of Ebola Survivors Sierra Leone, Yusif Kabba, said sentiments expressed by previous speakers were a clear manifestation that the anti-stigma campaign is making an impact in the country, adding: “We are very happy as people are ready to accept us back in our communities. I personally feel proud to be sitting among celebrities.”