‘Dirty Christmas not an insult to Christians’ — AGN defends Ini Edo from CAN criticism

Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) has defended Ini Edo amid the controversy surrounding the title of her movie ‘A Very Dirty Christmas’.

The film’s title had drawn criticism from the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), which called it “offensive and a mockery” of the Christian faith.

CAN also urged the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) to clarify how such a title was approved, especially during the Christmas season.

In response, the NFVCB said it has discussed with Edo regarding a possible modification of the movie’s title.

In a statement signed by Emeka Rollas, AGN outgoing president, the guild countered that the movie’s title is not an “insult to the Body of Christ” but a “metaphorical and creative expression”.

The guild urged CAN to consider the film’s context rather than focusing solely on its title.

The statement emphasised that Edo, who is a practising Christian, aims to portray real-life experiences, not to “disparage or trivialise religion”.

“However, it would have been more prudent and constructive if the concerns raised were based on a full and contextual review of the film’s content, rather than conclusions drawn solely from its title,” the statement reads.

“Christmas remains a sacred season symbolising holiness, redemption, and hope. Yet, it is also a period shaped by diverse human realities and challenges, which naturally influence how individuals perceive and experience the season.

“Such diversity of perception does not undermine the sanctity of Christmas but reflects the complexity of lived faith. Ini Edo is a committed Christian who holds her faith in deep reverence. It would be inconsistent with her values and character to intentionally disparage or diminish the Christian faith she sincerely upholds.

“As a creative professional, her work, like many artistic expressions, engages with real-life experiences that may not always conform strictly to conventional societal expectations.

“This should not be misconstrued as irrelevance or hostility toward religion. The title Dirty Christmas is not an insult to the Body of Christ.

“Rather, it is a metaphorical and creative expression intended to portray the layered realities that sometimes accompany the season, without mocking Christianity or trivialising its doctrines.”

The guild further insisted that the movie contains no scenes that “ridicule, demean, or undermine Christianity,” urging CAN to focus its moral influence on pressing societal issues, including violence and the loss of innocent lives.

They also called for open dialogue and constructive collaboration between faith institutions and the creative industry, noting that such engagement allows creativity to flourish while maintaining peace and respect for religious values.

“CAN’s statement indicates that concerns were also directed toward the Nigerian Film and Video Censors Board regarding the approval of the title. Respectfully, the Censors Board operates within a clear statutory mandate and regulatory framework designed to balance moral sensitivity with freedom of creative expression,” it added.

“It is also pertinent to acknowledge that perspectives on Christmas differ even among Christian denominations, reinforcing the understanding that the celebration is not perceived uniformly within the faith.

“A complete viewing of the film confirms that it contains no scenes or narratives that ridicule, demean, or undermine Christianity. Any assertions to the contrary would therefore benefit from a more comprehensive engagement with the work itself.

“At this critical juncture, we respectfully encourage CAN to continue deploying its moral influence toward addressing far more pressing and painful realities, particularly the persistent violence and tragic loss of innocent Christian lives across various parts of Nigeria.

“These profound humanitarian concerns demand sustained advocacy, compassion, and national attention.

“We call for measured dialogue, mutual respect, and constructive engagement between faith institutions and the creative industry, allowing creativity to thrive responsibly while preserving the sanctity of religious values.

“Such an approach truly reflects the spirit of Christmas-peace, justice, understanding, and love -and strengthens unity between religious institutions and the creative industry.”

Ini Edo had previously appealed to the NFVCB, asking them not to pull her film from cinemas.