TIPTOPSTARS

There was an undoubted unanimity amongst some USA-based film critics and producers when they viewed Far for subsequent updates ahead of the movie’s release. The artists’ performance is unquestionable, they all concluded. They all went further to agree that Alenne Menget, the main supporting character in Far had been extraordinarily impressive in his role. Then, when the first trailer for the up-coming movie was made public, similar assessments rose from lay viewers. “Alenne Menget stole the show,” one of them simply indicated, even without having watched the entire movie.

Speculations became rife, when Far was submitted for the Cameroon Academy Awards – Sonnah, that the said actor could emerge victorious in his category – best supporting actor. “I see Alenne grabbing that prize, his performance in Far speaks volumes. I might not have watched the entire movie, but I know he must have given the jury a run for their time,” said a fan of the Douala-based multi-talented artist and journalist. “It should not end there, I hope that Far will bag home prizes,” co-producer Mathew Eyong had told TIPTOPSTARS Editor soon after Far was nominated six times for Sonnah I. The Ohio-based producer had added: “I also think this is the beginning of many more good tidings.

Eyong’s hopes were put to fruition when the aspired good tidings finally came through Alenne on the night of Sunday December 29, 2013 at the Hilton Hotel in Cameroon’s capital Yaounde. “…he taught me how to crawl and move…he was my father, John Menget. I dedicate this to my late father and to my fans. Thanks to the organizers of this awards, keep doing this because this is what we want done,” the laureate reacted trophy-in-hand.

To co-producer Agbor Gilbert Ebot, it was a prize well deserved. “I’m a happy man. Alenne performed so brilliantly and I think this is a well deserved prized. I must congratulate him on the great job and to the rest of the Far cast and crew, I wish to say thank you for making us proud,” Agbor, talking to us from the Hilton, said.

Back in the US, the reaction has been the same. When we contacted Mercy Etta, Chief Operating Officer of Cradle Rocks Productions Int’l CRPI, co-producing outfit of Far, she was overwhelmed with joy. “Awesome win!” she reacted spontaneously. Etta went on: “It’s such a great achievement for CRPI which is only in its first production. This means better things lie ahead.”

“Wonderful!” one of the female lead actresses in Far, Merlisa Determined saluted. “How I wish I watched this live,” the international actress said.
Meantime, the Sonnah I laureate is continuously being showered with congratulatory messages and comments from friends and fans found all over the globe on social media. “I’m elated and inspired to work even harder to stay at the top,” Alenne told TIPTOPSTARS’ Tudi Ndi Nathalie later on the night of December 29.

If we rely on the plans of the producers, Far will be officially released in the first quarter of this year through a premiere billed for Yaounde. Scenes of the movie, a purely family story with salient lessons, are filmed in Maryland (in the United States), Buea, Limbe and Douala (in Cameroon).

Directed by Ikechukwu Onyeka, Far also stars renowned and talented actors such as Jim Iyke, Dakore Akande, Merlisa Determined, Epule Jeffery, Quinta Eyong Ashu, Libota McDonald, Solange Ojong , Kang Quintus, Pridine Fru, introducing Mercy Etta.