The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has criticised the title of the Nollywood film “A Very Dirty Christmas”, saying it trivializes the spiritual essence of Christmas and offends values held sacred by Christians.
In a statement on Wednesday, CAN president Archbishop Daniel Okoh said Christmas represents the birth of Jesus Christ and embodies purity, peace, love and redemption.
He warned that linking the holy season with the word “dirty” diminishes its spiritual significance.
“Christmas is a sacred season that marks the birth of Jesus Christ and represents purity, peace, love and redemption, and linking such a holy celebration with the word ‘dirty’ diminishes its spiritual meaning and reduces a solemn religious observance to something crude and sensational,” Archbishop Okoh said.
CAN also raised concerns about regulatory oversight, questioning how the film’s title passed approval for public exhibition.
“The Association is concerned that a film bearing such a title passed through regulatory and professional channels without adequate scrutiny. CAN therefore calls on the National Film and Video Censors Board to explain how the title was approved for public exhibition, particularly during the Christmas season,” Okoh stated.
The association urged Nollywood bodies, including the Actors Guild of Nigeria, to take a firm stand on the use of religious themes that may offend faith communities.
CAN specifically called on the producers and Ini Edo to reconsider the title and issue a public apology.
“The Christian Association of Nigeria therefore calls on the producers and promoters of the film to reconsider the title, issue a public apology, and take deliberate steps to ensure that religious symbols and sacred seasons are treated with the dignity they deserve,” the statement said.
A Very Dirty Christmas was released in cinemas on Tuesday. The film, directed by Akay Mason and produced by Ini Edo’s Minini Empire, features Ini Edo, Lateef Adedimeji, IK Ogbonna, Nancy Isime, Eucharia Anunobi and others.
It follows a family Christmas gathering that turns chaotic as hidden tensions and secrets surface.