TIERs Presents Nollywood LGBT Film, Hell Or High Water
The Initiative for Equal Rights (TIERs) in partnership with Asurf Films Limited has produced this short film themed around the traumatic experiences arising from socially-constructed expectations imposed on persons who self identify as Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual. The movie narrates the realities faced by LGBT persons in the Nigerian society where heteronormative expectations are the norm, and the only accepted sexual orientation is heterosexuality.
The Initiative for Equal Rights believes that Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual persons are human. There is a need to humanize the discussion on sexual orientation and gender identity through everyday realities. This is important for educational and information purposes. It goes beyond the singular narrative often circulated on the subject.
The short film, Hell or High Water tells the story of a young pastor who is loved and adored by the people around him. Things change for him when he has to confront a hidden truth about himself—a truth that could make or break him psychologically. But, whatever decision he makes, he is still going to crash and burn, for life as he once knew it would never be the same again. The story explores the reality of sexuality amidst spirituality, exorcism, blackmail, and family life. Hell or High Water challenges stereotypical narratives about sexuality and spirituality.
Check on the trailer below.
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42 Comments
Mandy
March 18, 06:08Ohmygod! I want to see this! But I’m a little wary of it. This one there’s religion involved, I hope it won’t be the kind of story Nigerians would like Nigerians to believe – that gay can be turned to straight, when all you have to do is turn to God. Oh well, there’s Enyinna Nwigwe and Daniel k Daniel in it. So I mosdef wanna see it!
pete
March 18, 08:04No, it’s not. Religion is an intricate part of Nigerian right & I’m already loving the theme of the movie.
pete
March 18, 08:56Not right, meant to write life.
Sheldon Cooper
March 18, 06:12I can’t wait to watch it! Hoping “censors board” don’t act silly.
Oluwadamilare
March 18, 07:00*screams* omg! They did it!!
This will certainly provoke discussions. iLove!!!
I will definitely see this movie.
And guess what? It stars Eyinna, bae.
Dennis Macaulay
March 18, 07:03I hope they premiere it in Port Harcourt! I’d love to go see this with my entire colleagues since we go to the cinema together on Wednesday evenings anyway.
Absalom
March 18, 07:10I hope there’s gay sex in the movie? Or I will not watch! ?????
Pink Panther
March 18, 07:16Hoe.
bruno
March 18, 07:26http://www.pornhub.com
Max 2.1
March 18, 07:44Lmfao ??? @bruno
Eggsy
March 18, 07:51/gayporn
Absalom
March 18, 08:05Lol, you guys.
I’m only saying I hope the film has not be straight-washed for heterosexual audiences. The only sex-like scene I saw in the trailer was with one of the guys and his wife.
#TheTwoGuysMustFuck! ?
Kenny
March 18, 07:14I’m definitely seeing this when it’s out. I just hope it won’t be banned from getting to the cinemas.
Oluwadamilare
March 18, 07:33If I hear say tiers won’t fight to get it to the cinemas… Even if it has to be selected cinemas, selected cities and rated 18!
jaja
March 18, 07:32You can count on it being banned. This is Nigeria.
Max 2.1
March 18, 07:45Oh its going to be banned. So sorry guys you won’t be seeing it at any cinema anytime soon.
KingBey
March 18, 07:56If it will be banned and not gonna be screened to the public, then what’s the essence?
mirage
March 18, 08:11*picking beans*would they ever tell it right? Haven’t seen a movie that told the truth like a prayer for bobby!I hv a close colleague who is married and kinda homophobic, I recommended the movie,a prayer for bobby to him and ever since his life has never been the same!he dropped the homophobia like hot amala!
A-non
March 18, 08:14Am not sure how it all works but if it’s a short film it doesn’t have to be approved by the censors board.
Putting it up on YouTube for free or through Netflix are options they have.
Private screenings can also be used.
The average gay man in Nigeria won’t even want to go and see this in the cinemas, all thanks to societal stigma and IH.
Richard Moore
March 18, 08:25my exact thoughts, A-non
Pink Panther
March 18, 08:36A-non is back. Peak would have such an orgasm over this. 🙂
Richard Moore
March 18, 08:22Well, it’s a short film. Do they release short films in Nigerian cinemas? Before we talk about whether it’s LGBT-themed or not.
posh6666
March 18, 09:24Wow this looks really nice and they used regular known faces which makes it more relatable to the audience and also it seems the gay theme wont be all in your face kind of situation.Dont forget even men in love and four can play were not banned and they had some few gayish scenes.
Geeluv
March 18, 09:36Who’s talking about ban here…. I’ve seen it already.
Francis
March 18, 09:55For where? You follow for the production crew or whatever they call dem? I watch to download oh.
Max 2.1
March 18, 11:41They’ll only let it show in Cinemas if it condemns homosexuality and I don’t think that’s what the movie is all about.
Its emii
March 18, 10:17Hey panther. Morning. For some reason I can’t access the trailer could you possibly mail me a link. Would really appreciate it.
Pink Panther
March 18, 11:16Just go to youtube and type to search for Hell or High Water trailer.
Francis
March 18, 11:18https://youtu.be/VFs_tiH7TUw
Ruby
March 18, 10:49Where can I find the movie oh!!!!!
Geeluv?????
Marc Francis of Chelsea
March 18, 11:17Just came here now to post the link but you beat me to it.
So excited about this movie. I hope Nigerians let it flourish and actually get the message the movie is trying to pass.
You can’t force people to conform via marriage and then be mad that they are gay. If your husband is gay, then sorry but that’s what the society you both live in forced him into.
The last positive gay Naija themed movie I saw was Rag & Tag and that was half Brit. This looks like full Naija. Bless the actors for their braveness in the face of the injustice we go through as Nigerian gay men. I see from youtube someone already called the lead actor Daniel gay.
I just hope it’s available online because I’m sure many people would be scared to go see it in cinemas.
Chizzie
March 18, 12:37Seen the trailer, I did cringe at the acting and the plot isn’t exactly ingenious.. But it is relatable. I would like the watch it in the comfort of my room, not a in Cinema Hall. Lets hope it doesn’t get banned.
Regardless, hurray to what seems like the first home based LGBT cinema release?
poshyydude
March 18, 13:10I can’t wait to see this movie…. I guess it will be a lot educating than that rubbish that dreaded black guy acted with one stupid girl saying that gay is something of circumstance
Delle
March 18, 14:20This is such a progress! I can’t even begin 2 quantify how elated I was when I first saw this, so inspiring!
I hope it’s a good representation shaa…can’t wait to see the movie!
OAN, I pray there are explicit scenes in this movie cos these men are too muscular to be clad in shirts and trousers through out o! I aff say my own finish.
*resumes nail polishing*
Pink Panther
March 18, 14:24Explicit scenes? Ha. We can only wish.
Candy Man
March 18, 14:57No explicit scenes biko, it will only send a bad message to society. Emmmm “a gay”????
Delle
March 18, 16:26Oh puhleez, dont be such a stuck-up. Like deep down you don’t want it…*walking away*
Francis
March 18, 15:14All of una wey dey look for explicit gay scenes, pikin no dey crawl before him waka? Besides that one even make senate bring out bill to ban bloggers and YouTube from carrying the video sef.
Eddie
March 18, 22:12The actors,producers,and directors should brace their selves because Naija homophobes are gonna come for them guns blazing and bibles thumping….. nice trailer by the way.
Tobby
March 18, 22:17Nigeria will ban it for “promoting” homosexuality
Nefretiti
March 19, 09:30I like ! I like !! I like !!!
sucrescalada
March 19, 13:06Hian If it gets banned someone who has the movie leaks it on the Internet… Oton! It’s on cloud dey should go and ban it from cloud! Dia father!!!