Kiss and Tell is a 2011 Nigerian romantic comedy film, produced by Emem Isong and directed by Desmond Elliot. It stars Monalisa Chinda, Joseph Benjamin, Desmond Elliot, Nse Ikpe Etim, Uche Jombo and Bhaira Mcwizu.[1] Though the film was a commercial success,[2] it was met with mixed to negative reception.[3][4]
| Kiss and Tell | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Desmond Elliot |
| Written by | Anthony Kehinde Joseph Uduak Isong Oguamanam Rita C. Onwurah |
| Story by | Emem Isong |
| Produced by | Emem Isong Monalisa Chinda |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Austin Nwaolie |
| Edited by | Uche Alexmoore Alex Robbort Kayode Adeniji |
| Music by | Slam (composer) Uche Alexmoore (score) |
Production company | Royal Art Academy |
| Distributed by | Royal Art Academy |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 111 minutes |
| Country | Nigeria |
| Language | English |
The film revolves around two Casanovas, friends and business partners; Iyke (Joseph Benjamin) and Bernard (Desmond Elliot), and a divorce lawyer, Delphine (Monalisa Chinda), who is a divorcee and doesn't want to have anything to do with men again. Bernard strikes a bet with Iyke which involves Iyke having sex with Delphine in ten days or forfeit five percent of his shares to Bernard; if Iyke succeeded, he'd have five percent of Bernard's shares. However, Bernard tells Tena (Nse Ikpe Etim), Delphine's best friend about the bet in order to have an edge, thereby complicating things for Iyke.
Cast
edit- Monalisa Chinda as Delphine
- Joseph Benjamin as Iyke
- Nse Ikpe Etim as Tena
- Desmond Elliot as Bernard
- Uche Jombo as Mimi
- Bhaira Mcwizu as Eka
- Bobby Michaels as David
- Matthew H. Brown as Tunde
- Temisan Etsede as Lawyer
Release
editThe film was initially intended to be released directly to video, but the producer changed plans after production.[5] A trailer was released on 16 May 2011.[6] The film premiered on 19 June 2011 at the Silverbird Galleria, Victoria Island, Lagos, followed by a general theatrical release on 18 July 2011.[7][8][9][10] It premiered overseas on 22 October 2011 at the Greenwich Odeon Cinema, London.[11]
Reception
editCritical reception
editThe film was a box office success,[12] but received mixed critical reviews. Nollywood Reinvented gave it a 23% rating, commended Nse Ikpe Etim's performance, but stated that the concept is not original.[13] NollywoodForever.com gave a 74% rating, also highlighting Nse Ikpe Etim as the standout performance and concluded: "....although predictable, it was a nice feel good romantic well acted comedy, nothing great, but most definitely good".[14] Kemi Filani commended performances from Joseph Benjamin and Nse Ikpe Etim, but also cited that the story is not original.[15] Faith Ajayi gave 7 out of 10 stars and stated that the direction was great, but complained about the sound mixing.[16]
Accolades
editKiss and Tell received six nominations at the 2012 Nollywood Movies Awards and Nse Ikpe Etim won the award for "Best Actress in a Supporting Role". It got two nominations at the 2013 Nigeria Entertainment Awards and Desmond Elliot won the award for the "Best Film Director. It also got three nominations at the 2012 Zulu African Film Academy Awards.
| Award | Category | Recipients and nominees | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nollywood Movies Network (2012 Nollywood Movies Awards)[17] |
Best Movie | Desmond Elliot | Nominated |
| Best Actor in a Leading Role | Joseph Benjamin | Nominated | |
| Best Actress in a Supporting Role | Nse Ikpe Etim | Won | |
| Best Directing | Desmond Elliot | Nominated | |
| Best Cinematography | Austin Nwaolie | Nominated | |
| Best Original Screenplay/Scriptwriting | Anthony Kehinde Joseph, Uduak Isong Oguamanam, Rita C. Onwurah | Nominated | |
| Nigeria Entertainment Awards 2013 Nigeria Entertainment Awards[18] |
Best Supporting Actress in a Film | Nse Ikpe Etim | Nominated |
| Best Film Director | Desmond Elliot | Won | |
| 2012 Zulu African Film Academy Awards[19] | Best Lead Actor | Joseph Benjamin | Nominated |
| Best Supporting Actress | Nse Ikpe Etim | Nominated | |
| Best Director | Desmond Elliot | Nominated |
References
edit- ^ Ugo (19 July 2012). "Now Showing: Kiss And Tell – Starring Joseph Benjamin, Desmond Elliot, Monalisa Chinda". Gistus.com. Retrieved 12 September 2014.
- ^ "NOLLYWOOD MOVIE: KISS AND TELL' (RANKED THE FIFTH MOST WATCHED TO HIT THE CINEMAS_". Naija Mayor. 20 July 2011. Archived from the original on 13 September 2014. Retrieved 12 September 2014.
- ^ "Kiss and Tell". Retrieved 12 September 2014.
- ^ "Kiss & Tell". Nollywood Reinvented. 31 March 2012. Retrieved 12 September 2014.
- ^ Bleu (20 June 2011). "Nollywood's cinema culture continues with Emem Isong's 'Kiss & Tell'". Finding Nollywood. Retrieved 12 September 2014.
- ^ Deji (29 July 2011). "Kiss & Tell (Trailer) – Royal Arts Academy". GidiLounge. Archived from the original on 13 September 2014. Retrieved 12 September 2014.
- ^ "Stars Turn Out For 'Kiss And Tell' Premiere". Nigerian Entertainment Today. The NET NG. 21 June 2011. Retrieved 12 September 2014.
- ^ "THE GLITZY PREMIERE OF 'KISS AND TELL'". 21 June 2011. Archived from the original on 13 September 2014. Retrieved 12 September 2014.
- ^ Chukwuwezam, Obanor (19 June 2011). "Kiss And Tell Premieres Today, June 19". Information NG. Retrieved 12 September 2014.
- ^ Erin (26 September 2012). "'Kiss & Tell' Movie Premiere (Photos)". AfricanSeer.com. Retrieved 12 September 2014.
- ^ "The UK Premiere of Kiss & Tell". Nollywood by Mindspace. Nollywood Mindspace. 25 October 2011. Retrieved 12 September 2014.
- ^ "NOLLYWOOD MOVIE: KISS AND TELL' (RANKED THE FIFTH MOST WATCHED TO HIT THE CINEMAS_". Naija Mayor. 20 July 2011. Archived from the original on 13 September 2014. Retrieved 12 September 2014.
- ^ "Kiss & Tell". Nollywood Reinvented. 31 March 2012. Retrieved 12 September 2014.
- ^ "Kiss and Tell". Retrieved 12 September 2014.
- ^ Filani, Kemi (15 November 2013). "Movie: Men always "Kiss And Tell"". Retrieved 12 September 2014.
- ^ Ajayi, Faith Oluwatobiloba (26 October 2013). "Kiss and Tell". Covenant University. Movie Evolution. Retrieved 12 September 2014.
- ^ "Nollywood Movies Award 2012 sparkle redcarpet". Daily Post. 6 June 2012. Retrieved 12 September 2014.
- ^ "Nigerian Entertainment Award announces 2013 nominees". premiumtimesng.com. 31 August 2014. Retrieved 23 June 2014.
- ^ Debrah, Ameyah (30 August 2012). "Full List of 2012 ZAFAA nominations including Nadia Buari, John Dumelo, Kyeiwaa and others". Retrieved 12 September 2014.