The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has criticised Nollywood actress and producer Ini Edo over the title of her latest film, A Very Dirty Christmas, describing it as offensive to the Christian faith.
In a statement released on Tuesday, CAN said the use of the word “dirty” in reference to Christmas undermines the spiritual significance of the season, which Christians around the world regard as sacred and symbolic of purity, peace, and redemption.
The association expressed concern that the movie title trivialises the essence of Christmas and reduces a holy celebration to what it described as a crude and sensational phrase, especially at a time when many Nigerians are facing moral and social challenges.
CAN also questioned the role of the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) in approving the movie title for public viewing, urging the regulatory body to be more sensitive to religious values when granting approvals.
The Christian body called on Ini Edo and the producers of the film to reconsider the title and issue a public apology to Christians, stressing the need for mutual respect in Nigeria’s multi-religious society.
A Very Dirty Christmas, which recently opened in cinemas nationwide, reportedly centres on a family Christmas gathering disrupted by unresolved conflicts. However, CAN insists that regardless of the storyline, the title alone is inappropriate and capable of offending Christian sensibilities.
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