oscars disqualify nigerian film for english dialogue

As the years go by, it seems like we’ll be reeling from the aftereffects of European colonization for a long time to come. In an appalling but unsurprising turn of events, “Lionheart” a highly-praised Nigerian film does not qualify for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ foreign film submission because there’s too much English in it.

This is an event so stupid that I have to rephrase it for your full comprehension: A critically-acclaimed film has been barred from a chance at an Oscar because it comes from a country that was colonized by the British whose official language is thus ENGLISH.

“Lionheart,” a film by Genevieve Nnaji, earned Nigeria its first Oscar entry. Nnaji co-wrote the film alongside her producing partner Chinny Onwugbenu, and stars in it with other actors Peter Edochie and Nkem Owoh. Oscar rules dictate that for a film to qualify for the foreign category it must be “produced outside of the United States and with a predominately non-English dialogue track.” Nnaji has challenged this unfair rule by submitting her film and speaking out after she was denied recognition saying,

1/1 1/2 Thank you so much @ava❤️.
I am the director of Lionheart. This movie represents the way we speak as Nigerians. This includes English which acts as a bridge between the 500+ languages spoken in our country; thereby making us #OneNigeria. @TheAcademy https://t.co/LMfWDDNV3e

— Genevieve Nnaji MFR (@GenevieveNnaji1) November 4, 2019

2/2 It’s no different to how French connects communities in former French colonies. We did not choose who colonized us. As ever, this film and many like it, is proudly Nigerian. @TheAcademy https://t.co/LMfWDDNV3e

— Genevieve Nnaji MFR (@GenevieveNnaji1) November 4, 2019

Ava DuVernay, a consistent champion for justice in the film industry made sure to speak up for Nnaji as well.

To @TheAcademy, You disqualified Nigeria’s first-ever submission for Best International Feature because its in English. But English is the official language of Nigeria. Are you barring this country from ever competing for an Oscar in its official language? https://t.co/X3EGb01tPF

— Ava DuVernay (@ava) November 4, 2019

Let’s be loud and get this film the recognition it deserves.