Mixed reactions trail Genevieve’s LionHeart Oscar disqualification

By Taiwo Okanlawon

Nigerians have expressed different reactions to the recent disqualification of Genevieve Nnaji’s ‘Lionheart‘ submission to the 92nd Academy Awards, for having “too much English dialogue”.

Nigeria’s Oscar Selection Committee (NOSC) reveals that nominees in the Best International Feature Film Category must have a predominantly non-English dialogue track, and ‘Lionheart,’ despite being an unmistakably Nigerian film, fails to qualify.

However, the academy said the film is still eligible to be considered in other Oscar categories.

It was the third time the Academy has disqualified a foreign film for having too much English dialogue. The 2015 Afghan film “Utopia” and the 2007 Israeli movie “The Band’s Visit” were disqualified for the same reason.

Director Ava DuVernay tweeted her dismay, noting that English is the official language of Nigeria.

https://twitter.com/ava/status/1191481642734387200

Director of the movie, Genevieve Nnaji was also disappointed about the academy’s decision. She tweeted that her movie “represents the way we speak as Nigerians.

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

Genevieve Nnaji’s ‘Lionheart’ was released in 2018. The movie, in which Genevieve was also the star actress, is currently streaming on Netflix. Roughly 11 minutes in the 95-minute film — about a woman trying to keep her father’s company afloat in a male-dominated world — is in Igbo.

Following the disqualification, Nigerians have taken to Twitter to express their displeasure over what would have been Nigeria’s bright up at clinching an Oscar award. While few people are of the opinion that the movie deserved to be kicked out of the awards for “too much English dialogue”.

See some reactions below;

Are we suppose to be producing movies and series only in our local languages now because we want our movies to be nominated for oscars when English language is our official language.#Lionheart pic.twitter.com/lFkMTn0TJq

— NEYOMIDAS Collections (@Neyomidas) November 5, 2019

https://twitter.com/EtniesJags/status/1191654268064935936

Although the debate about language criteria for Oscars is long overdue, LionHeart never stood any of being selected at all. It’s a laudable effort, and personally I love its humanizing of northerners, but this attempt to project it as an Oscar-worthy production is overstretching.

— Gimba Kakanda (@gimbakakanda) November 5, 2019

Other movies in the same category as Lionheart are South Korea’s “Parasite,” Spain’s “Pain and Glory” & France’s “Les Miserables.”
South Korea, Spain & France don't speak English as their official language, & Lionheart was not predominantly non-english dialogue.
Why una dey vex? pic.twitter.com/urXigvBbQE

— If¥™ (@nnekei) November 5, 2019

All we have learned now from this Lionheart episode is that Chiwetel is not anyone’s mate. He learned a new language because of a film about a book in English and featured that language prominently in his movie. That was deliberate.

— Osaretin Victor Asemota (@asemota) November 5, 2019

https://twitter.com/AskMeWhatIWant/status/1191649133146320896

Those aren't fair comparables. English Language films can manipulate that rule at the expense of foreign films, who also benefit from being considered for Oscars as a route to hollywood exposure. It is not automatically a silly rule cos it doesn't suit Ava's narrative…today

— Chairman AW (@AffiSupaStar) November 5, 2019

Lionheart was a “feelgood” movie and I loved it. It was largely free from typical Nollywood “loudness” and abrasive acting deemed as dramatic. The part I loved the most was when Pete Edochie spoke Hausa. That part won me over than all UpNorth (another great one) did for the North

— Osaretin Victor Asemota (@asemota) November 5, 2019

I have been hounded regularly about a book or books on entrepreneurship in Africa and I have struggled with it. I have asked myself what will be the type of book that takes what is innately ours to the world rather than another overlay of outside principles on our experience.

— Osaretin Victor Asemota (@asemota) November 5, 2019

Are they expecting the movie to go too local so they'll be able to disqualify them for having too much local dialogue?

LionHeart is a threat to many Oscar nominees and I'm not surprised this happened. They've been doing it to everything "black" for years even among themselves. pic.twitter.com/Ul4WW4lAYJ

— ayemojubar (@ayemojubar) November 5, 2019

“Lionheart” has been disqualified from the Oscars because it’s mostly in English which violates their Best International Feature Film rule. Fine, we move but if you come and say the movie is wack & doesn't stand a chance at the Oscars, make I clear you now, your brain don pafuka.

— 𝘼. 𝙄. 𝙈. 👨🏽‍🚀 (@AimThaMachine_) November 5, 2019

https://twitter.com/iefamharris/status/1191589678358650880

https://twitter.com/iefamharris/status/1191592690598760448

https://twitter.com/BiyiThePlug/status/1191609405524987904

The disqualification of the film lionheart was valid.

Always educate yourself on subjects before being in your feelings and getting all sentimental .
That category is majorly non-English dislogue films!
Has nothing to do with witch-hunt.

— ChefAndy (@andeeblayz) November 5, 2019

https://twitter.com/TheBullofJohn_/status/1191616446272614400

https://twitter.com/Cutewalterr/status/1191634115730259968

Emotional sentiments apart, the argument of English being our official language doesn't hold any water. That Oscar category is majorly for non-english dialogue movies which Lionheart didn't meet the criteria. The Academy shouldn't have accepted the submission in the first place.

— Slimfit (@iSlimfit) November 5, 2019

The fact that “Lionheart” is even a conversation, on that level. Mehn, I am proud of @GenevieveNnaji1

This is the beginning of something big. Now, they will pay more attention to us here

Nigerian creatives matter on all levels

— Do2dtun Energy gAD (@iamDo2dtun) November 5, 2019

Lionheart has been disqualified from the Oscars awards. Reason being that the movie had too much English. Are they passing a message to Africa/Nigeria? pic.twitter.com/0il36xMkGQ

— Obinna Nwosu (@obi_Nwosu) November 5, 2019

Lionheart disqualification is not ill conceived, before we cry blue murder about it.
Note, that's the rule of the category.

Two movies were previously disqualified for the same reason(having too much english in it).

Still, Genevieve did an awesome job with Lionheart.

— Ogbuefi (@MistaChika) November 5, 2019