LOS ANGELES, Jan 30, 2017 (BUSINESS WIRE) — AfroWest Pictures is set to release “Oloibiri” for select U.S. theatrical releases beginning on February 3 [rd] , 2017 in Los Angeles.

Starring an all-star cast of renowned and award-nominated international actors which include William R. Moses(“Falcon Crest,” “Mystic Pizza”),Richard Mofe-Damijo (“Alice in America”), Olu Jacobs(“Pirates”),Taiwo Ajai-Lycett(“Tinsel”), Ivie Okujaye (“Burning Bridges”), and Ifeanyi Williams, “Oloibiri”tells the unflinching story of the first oil well drilled in Nigeria, and how the impact affected a small Nigerian Delta Village and the lives of those involved.

Part action thriller, part historical eye-opener, “Oloibiri” is a cautionary tale of a small Nigerian town struggling through a recession after suddenly finds itself entrenched in a petrol-wealth landslide. While some embrace the power of big oil development, others choose a different path, standing militantly against the corporate empire ravaging the village and killing its residents with polluted water. As the town’s natural resources are depleted, the epidemic and unemployment rate rise at an alarming speed, and the once-fertile land is ravaged by oil spills.

“Olobiri”was written by Samantha Iwowo, directed by Curtis Graham, and produced by Rogers Ofime and Oge Neliaku—two Nigerians dedicated to sharing stories of their culture and combating stereotypes to audiences worldwide. Additional production contributions include Rightangle Productions Ltd., Theatron Media, Inc., and Grey House Films. The movie, which is based on real-life events, gives audiences a Nigerian perspective on a historical phenomenon that wreaked havoc on a small town, even as it affected the global oil industry.

Lekan Salaam of AfroWest Pictures says: “We were keen to let the world see the neglect that the village and its people were faced with, post the discovery of oil in 1956.Oloibiri lost access to drinkable water, sustainable farming and fishing. Due to lack of economic development and high rise in poverty levels, the community is losing its young generation to militancy, which results in untimely deaths. To save the lives of Oloibiri children and reduce the call to arms, we hope the story of Oloibiri will attract both local and foreign partnership to jump start sustainable economic development through environmental clean-up, agriculture, renewable energy, fishery, boat manufacturing and many more. Oloibiri’s cautionary tale couldn’t be more timely or relevant.”