Joy Onuorah 
I n a highly anticipated press briefing, Riveting Integrated Entertainment Limited unveiled their latest project, The Kiss of Death, a captivating feature film set to take audiences on an emotional rollercoaster. The company, known for its commitment to delivering world-class entertainment, has established itself as a force to be reckoned with in the Nigerian film industry since its inception in November 2017.
Riveting Integrated Entertainment Limited, based in the bustling city of Lagos, encompasses a wide array of creative endeavors, includ- ing film, theatre, music, TV, publishing, events promotion, artiste management, and arts distribution. Over the past five years, they have successfully produced several notable films, such as ‘The Walking Stick,’ ‘Area Boy,’ ‘Kurunmi,’ and ‘Tears To Cry.’
However, their upcoming release, ‘The Kiss of Death,’ promises to be their most ambitious and thought-provoking project to date. ‘The Kiss of Death’ began as a collaborative venture between Riveting and True Life Productions, a renowned Lagos-based entertainment company. How- ever, with the support of Optiva Capital Partners, the movie has transformed into an awe-inspiring reality, attracting attention both locally and internationally.
Inspired by a true story, ‘The Kiss of Death’ revolves around the life of Tony, a young Lagosian who finds himself posted to a predominantly Muslim region in northern Nigeria for his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). Tony’s character embodies the essence of selflessness and compassion, as he goes beyond societal boundaries to help others in need.
One fateful day, Tony encounters Alimah, a Muslim female student suffering from fainting spells due to her anemic condition. Drawing from his own experiences with asthma and breathlessness, Tony instinctively performs mouth-to-mouth resuscitation on Alimah, unknowingly setting off a chain of events with monumental consequences.
The movie’s title, ‘The Kiss of Death,’ encapsulates the severe repercussions Tony faces as a result of his well- intentioned act in an Islamic environment. The narrative delves deep into the complexities of cultural and religious dynamics, highlighting the sacrifices one makes in the pursuit of kindness.
During a press briefing, notable theatre producer, filmmaker, and the CEO of Riveting Integrated Entertainment Limited, Leke Akinrowo, shed more light on the film’s conceptualisation and its initial working title, ‘The Kiss of Life.’ The title aptly represented the pivotal moment when Tony’s selfless act of administering CPR to Alimah breathed life back into her.
However, as Akinrowo explained, this seemingly innocent “kiss”, referring to the mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, had unforeseen and tragic consequences for Tony, transforming it into a metaphorical ‘Kiss Of Death’ for him. The Director, Terry Macmahon, renowned for his ability to evoke raw emotions through his storytelling, masterfully captured the essence of Tony’s journey in ‘The Kiss of Death.’
