Pastor Paul Adefarasin Brings ‘Selma’ To Lagos

Paul Adefarasin, the senior pastor, House On The Rock, loves to evangelise differently. He has done it with music via The Experience Concert for nine years on the bounce. He now wants to try it with movie.

Come Sunday, 8 February, the flamboyant pastor will host the Lagos premiere of globally-renowned movie, Selma, at The Rock Cathedral, Lekki, Lagos.

Speaking on why the church chose to premiere Selma, Adefarasin said: “Peace and harmony is important to us all. Regardless of our ethnicity, religion or political persuasion, our country Nigeria must remain united and peaceful. This is why House On The Rock Church, positioned as a centre for Social Justice and Equity, has decided to bring people from various classes in the Nigerian society together for a remarkable event where we can all stand united for peace at a time like this.

“We also seek to remind individuals with the Selma movie premiere event that regardless of any differences or grievances we may have, violence is not the answer. Thus non-violence must continually be our stance.”

David Oyelowo and Carmen Ejogo

 

British-Nigeria actor David Oyelowo plays the lead role as Africa-American civil rights icon, Martin Luther King Jr., while another British-born actress, Carmen Ejogo, plays his opposite as Coretta Scott-King in the movie. They are both expected to grace the red carpets of the Lagos premiere.

Selma is a 2014 American historical drama film directed by Ava DuVernay and written by Paul Webb and Ava DuVernay. It is based on the 1965 Selma to Montgomery voting rights marches led by James Bevel, Hosea Williams, Martin Luther King, Jr. of SCLC and John Lewis of SNCC.

Oyelowo has been impressing critics with his arresting portrayal of the late civil rights icon in Selma.

The movie also features Oprah Winfrey, Cuba Gooding Jr., Wendell Pierce, Tom Wilkinson, Tim Roth and rapper, Common. The movie, co-produced by Oprah Winfrey, was premiered on 11 November, 2014 at the American Film Institute Festival. It began a limited US release on 25 December, 2014, and expanded into wide theatrical release on 9 January, 2015, just two months before the 50th anniversary of the march.

Selma had four Golden Globe Award nominations, including Best Motion Picture-Drama, Best Director and Best Actor, and it won for Best Original Song. It also garnered nominations for Best Picture and Best Original Song at the 87th Academy Awards.