World premiere of the film “The Oratory” gives Don Bosco a further African face!

World premiere of the film “The Oratory”, set in Nigeria, gives Don Bosco a further African face!

The world premiere of the film “The Oratory”, the story of Don Bosco set in Nigeria, was screened in Dublin on 10 September.

, currently Rector of the Salesian community in Maynooth. He began dreaming of this idea over 10 years ago and though many were sceptical about it ever being realised, he never gave up.

The film has been produced and directed by the Nigerian director Obi Emelonye, with Fr Odia as the executive producer and Rich Lowe Ikenna in the leading role.

The film portrays the story of Don Bosco in a contemporary Nigerian setting and is characterized by a fun loving, stimulating, compelling, formative and educational style: it’s a must for anyone interested in the history of Don Bosco and committed to the well-being of young people. The film's premiere was attended by 200 people - the maximum number allowed due to the pandemic-related restrictions - and included Salesians, friends and many Nigerians residing in Ireland, as well as Archbishop Jude Thaddeus Okolo, a native of Nigeria, and Apostolic Nuncio to Ireland. The trailer has been on YouTube for 2 years already, and the premier was due 18 months ago, just when the Covid pandemic hit Europe and delayed the launch.

“The next ‘launch’ will be in London on the 25th of September and as other salesian provinces invite us, we will take it there to get some support for the company who invested in the project since I obviously couldn't afford the cost”, affirms Fr Cyril.