Dazzling Mirage, one of the most anticipated movies of 2015 will hit cinemas on Friday, February 20.
Produced by renowned cinematographer, Tunde Kelani, one of the star acts in the production is Kemi Lala Akindoju.
A World Economic Forum Global Shaper, thespian, producer and drama teacher, Kemi is the youngest person to ever produce the international acclaim play V. Monologues.
Born on March 8, 1987, Kemi attended The Fountain School, Surulere, Lagos, for her primary school education and Queens College, Yaba, Lagos for her secondary education. She studied Insurance at the University of Lagos and holds a master’s degree in Media and Communication from the Pan African University.
The Ondo-born artiste started acting professionally in 2005, and her first appearance was in the play All I Want for Christmas.
For the first five years of her acting career, she concentrated exclusively on stage performances. She was part of the team that started Theatre @ Terra – a theatre initiative supported by Terra Kulture a cultural centre located in Lagos. She was on stage every Sunday back to back for three years as part of the Theatre @ Terra project.
She has appeared in over 70 stage productions, playing roles such as Amope in Wole Soyinka’s Trials of Brother Jero, Ojuola in Ola Rotimi’s The Gods are not to Blame, Sizwe in Athol Fugard’s Sizwe Bansi is Dead, and Iyaloja in Wole Soyinka’s Death and the King’s Horseman.
In 2010, she was named Actor of the Year at The Future Awards on the strength of her performance as a stage actor. Also in 2010, she began to accept roles in television and film. She plays the character, Sheila Monroe on the MNet soap, Tinsel. She features in Alan Poza – a Charles Novia film, which also stars her best friend OC Ukeje.
Kemi is a talent scout who has created several new stars with her Open Mic Theatre and has professionally consulted for MTV and Ndani TV amongst others in the area of talent. She has also consulted for several art projects with the British Council, the iRep film Festival and Woman Rising Festival.
She was recently selected for the International Visitors Leadership programme by the United States Public Affairs Section.
Dazzling Mirage is glorious addition to her creative hat.
The emotional movie is a love story which revolves around a sickler who against all odds embarks on a journey for survival, overcoming social stigma and prejudice. The movie helps to raise awareness about the sickle cell condition and to help people make better and informed decisions.
“Dazzling Mirage is an inspiring story which I recommend for people, not just to watch but to take home its rich laden message” said Kemi, who plays the leading role in the movie. “It is an answer to a call and this movie is a must watch for everyone” she added.
The suspense filled and intriguing movie is a collection of Nollywood stars. Apart from Kemi, there are also Kunle Afolayan, Seun Akindele, Taiwo Ajai – Lycett, Bimbo Manuel, Carol King and Yomi Fash Lanso, amongst others.
“Dazzling Mirage is not just a movie. There is no such thing like a level playing ground in life; the choice is out there to make if we want to make our society a sickle cell free from the pains we put ourselves and others through” said Tunde Kelani.
Shot in Lagos, the movie is an adaptation of a novel of the same name authored by Olayinka Abimbola Egbokhare, and adapted to screen by Ade Solanke. It is about love, perseverance and fate through a sickler’s experience in life’s struggle.
It was first premiered at the Muson Centre in Onikan, Lagos, and has enjoyed a nationwide tour spreading its message of hope and survival to people.
