Pink Pearl Foundation premieres film Living Funeral

PPF team

 

L-R Mr. Chidi Uzomah, Actor; Mrs. Orode Ryan-Okpu, Founder/Chief Executive Officer, Pink Pearl Foundation; Miss Stephanie Wilson, Actress and Mr Nobert Young, Veteran Nollywood actor, during the premiere of  a film, Living Funeral.

As part of its numerous activities marking the annual breast cancer awareness month, Pink Pearl Foundation (PPF), a charity organisation set up in 2007 to create awareness for breast and cervical cancer for women, last weekend premiered Living Funeral, a film which captures the life of a cancer patient. 
Directed by a prolific Nigerian film maker, Udoka Oyeka, the founder of Pink Pearl Foundation, Mrs. Orode Ryan-Okpu is the executive producer of the film which was premiered at Wheatbaker Hotel, Ikoyi, Lagos.

The film explores a story of a young, beautiful girl, Yvette or Yvonne (Stephanie Wilson) who’s diagnosed of having cancer of the breast, though responding to treatment has few weeks to live.

She becomes so emotional when she recalls the good old days and her closeness with her family member. “I miss the boredom, the freedom and the might of the world,” Yvette said.

She watches her mother, Mrs Dakup (Liz Benson Ameye) weep each day as clock ticks. It is painful for parents to see their daughter dying gradually. “Do you know what it feels like seeing your coffin? Love people while you can,” said Mrs. Dakup.

Viewers are taken on her incredible journey of hope, bravery and despair told through the eyes of the lead character’s sister (Wilson) and her hard-hearted mother, who refuses to come to terms with her daughter’s illness. To help her family deal with their grief, Yvette holds a mock funeral while still alive.

The less than 30 minutes’ film received a resounding applause at the end of its screening. It indeed raises a confidence for a family to deal with the pain of losing someone through cancer.

At the end, the audience was advised to change their lifestyle.
Technically, the crew was amazing. The cast was amazing in delivering their roles in the film which features some Nollywood actors including Liz (Benson) Ameye, Nobert Young and Stephanie Wilson.
They were all appreciated for a good job they did and celebrated for their parts in telling the story with emotion.

The emotional story was written by Akpo Kegho. Udoka Oyeka performed well as the director. He revealed that the film was more about using his craft to sensitise people about breast cancer.
  The setting was rightly selected. The locations are also okay. The music was superb for the movie.

Speaking on why they produced the movie, Mrs. Orode Ryan-Okpu said the film aims to create more awareness and raise more focus on prevention of breast and cervical cancer.

According to her, the film which gives hope is the first film on breast cancer.

She adds: “When someone is mentally stable, it helps in healing process.

Initially, we started the foundation by creating awareness for only breast cancer but realised that cervical cancer is another cancer that affects Nigerian women. In six (6) years, Pink Pearl Foundation has been able to screen over 6, 570 women for free, across Nigeria including Edo, Cross Rivers, Lagos, Abia and Delta States, respectively. In March 2013, Pink Pearl Foundation visited Kumbo, Cameroon; over 160 women were screened for free.

In six years, we have been able to do more than 47 events which include screenings and rallies, walks, university campaigns, tours, market campaigns, cycling and so on.  Some years ago, 44 women were diagnosed with lumps. We also had the case of a lady who had cancer and needed assistance to commence treatment. We handled that as well. We had the Pink Ride - a bicycle ride from Asaba to Benin and Warri. We have done quite a lot of events in six years.

“In 2012, we started with university campaign in four schools where we organised seminars, screenings and so on. We also went to a mosque in Ogba, Lagos. We did not concentrate on breast and cervical cancer alone but started another project in 2012 by giving out new and fairly-used clothes, shoes, food items and so on to the less privileged. We are committed towards saving the lives of Nigerian women, through various awareness campaigns and provision of high-quality breast and cervical cancer screening and diagnostic services for women who are undeserved.

“Pink Pearl Foundation has also been able to increase public awareness through education about symptoms, prevention, disease process and the importance of regular examination for early detection.

Every year at Pink Pearl Foundation, we make it a point to assess our past engagements, establishing a scorecard on the things we did well and where we need to improve or exert more energy,” she said.

Also speaking, Executive Director of Diamond Helix Hospital, Dr. Ufuoma Okotete advised ladies to check their breasts on a regular basis and spoke further on the importance of early detection. “It is better for someone to feel the breast for you.”

Nollywood veteran, Nobert Young also advised men to check their breasts, adding that men are susceptible to having breast cancer too. He queries: “How many Nigerians check their breasts? I know how to check my wife’s breasts.”

He advised other married men to do same.

The star-studded premiere attracted a sophisticated crowd from business moguls, entertainment industry players to government dignitaries. Notable individuals include the Honourable Commissioner for Women Affairs, Community and Social Development in Delta State, Chief (Mrs) Betty Efekodha, Mr. Soni Irabor and his wife, Mrs Betty Irabor (Publisher, Genevieve Magazine). Others include Banky W, Omawumi Megbele amongst many.

The audience were treated to a live music set by fast-rising music star, Kaline and celebrated fashion designer, Ada Mgbudem (Creative Director, Ella & Gaby) presented a one-off custom piece in commemoration of October Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Guest & Mosun Ogunbanjo