'76 (2016)

About '76

'76 is a Nigerian historical drama film which was directed by Izu Ojukwu and was launched in cinemas in Nigeria on 25 November 2016. The movie is set six years after the civil war, during the events that led up to the assassination of the Nigerian military head of state Gen. Murtala Ramat Mohammed in 1976. The plot follows the story of a young military officer from the Middle Belt who gets into a romantic relationship with an O-level student from the Southeastern region. However, their relationship is strained by constant military postings. The soldier gets accused of being involved in the 1976 unsuccessful military coup and assassination of General Murtala Mohammed, and the subsequent investigations by the military tribunal, with its attendant intrigues of love and fate.

Making / Production

The movie took about five years to complete mainly due to the fact that the military portrayed in the film had to go through intensive training, including being drilled by some members of the Nigerian Defense Academy. The film was shot in Ibadan, Nigeria. The production team decided to shoot '76 in Nigeria to ensure it was as authentic as possible.

Actors

• Ramsey Nouah who is known for his roles in 'Nollywood' movies. Here, he shows up as Captain Joseph Dewa; a soldier who also is a loving husband and father.
• Rita Dominic plays Suzie, the wife of Captain Joseph Dewa, played by Ramsey. Her character portrayal is an embodiment of strength through the hardship her family faces.
• Chidi Mokeme acts as Major Gomos, a strategic planner with great intellect. His acting prowess brings life to the character.
• Memry Savanhu as Eunice, who beautifully brings to life the character of the young woman caught in the web of military scheming.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• '76 was the chosen film to premiere at the 2016 BFI London Film Festival.
• '76 is one of the few Nollywood films that had executed a cinema-only release strategy and it worked.
• The movie was created to commemorate and remember the historical event of a failed coup in Nigeria in 1976.

Awards

'76 won numerous awards including the Best Director at the Africa Movies Academy Award, AMVCA award for Best Actress in a Drama, and it was nominated for the Best Movie at the AMVCA.

Quotes

• "In war, the hunter becomes the hunted."
• "Truth has no colour."
• "Power is not served a la carte."
• "Those who must re-write history, must first erase history."

Music, Soundtrack

• '76 features a swooning and soulful original soundtrack that highlighted the era.
• The movie's music pays a brilliant homage to the afrobeat sound popular in the '70s.