THE LOCAL & FLY

In recent years the Academy has moved beyond the local industry in America and embraced more foreign films without distinction. Consequentially, new industries including Nollywood submitted films to the Oscar 2020. While some films like ‘Parasite’ directed by Bong Joon-Ho are big hits in their countries, Americans almost don’t notice foreign films.

But ‘Parasite’ made $36 million in U.S. box office collection. It is the first and way above the expected. This makes it proof that Americans likes to see their money go for something worth it. What movies can Nollywood make to win the heart of Americans to make them get out and watch? Or even the heart of the Academy?

How is Nollywood getting ready for the next Oscar?

With ‘Parasite’ the Academy has spoken that they are not dropping standards for low budget movies coming from Nollywood or anywhere else.

We would imagine that the next year, they would expect to award the Best Foreign Language Film to an even bigger film than ‘Parasite’. ‘Lionheart’ was disqualified for being too English but would it have stood a chance?

Thanks to ‘Parasite’ for winning the Best Pictures Award – that has never been done in the 91-year history of the Academy – getting to the Oscar ever will be another marathon for Nollywood. It is the first time a South Korean film is winning an Oscar and first non-English film to win the top category. Even studio films at the Oscar fell aback on the prime Oscar 2020 Award.

We choose to see this as the Academy giving Nollywood a wake-up call. After seeing the Oscar nominations list at first, it meant one thing. Nollywood would have been vying in the Foreign Language category with a film that was to win Best Picture Award.

Well, the message is clear and prospective Oscar applications from Nollywood are going to step up.

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