The Real Reason Lionheart Was Disqualified For Oscar 2020
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Christina Ngene
I am a movie enthusiast with a passion for writing and a desire to see the African movie industries grow. I try to use my skills as an artist to cheer for Nollywood by writing for NollyMania. • Syndicate Correspondent
Film buffs have all been excited at the new diversity of the Academy Awards. However, the recent decision by the Academy to disqulify ‘Lionheart’ from the 2020 Oscar was dire.
After the 2019 Academy Awards night, African Americans celebrated more than anyone else in the world. It felt good to know that the Oscar is not so white after all.
In September, it was announced that Nigeria submitted its first-ever Oscar entry ‘Lionheart’. Suddenly, less than 24 hours ago, ‘Lionheart’ has been disqualified for 2020 Oscar. This is disheartening for many of us, but the Oscar also want to do what’s right for everyone we believe.
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The dire Disqualification of Lionheart rom Oscar 2020
The category of the Oscar 2020 which ‘Lionheart’ was submitted in is the ‘Best International Movie’ category’. Being an international category, it is expected to accommodate movies from different parts of the planet.
If you ever noticed, British movies don’t compete in this category and there is a reason for that.
High budget British mainstream movies like ‘James Bond’ and ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ would win ‘Best International Movie’ most years if allowed.
This way, the Academy is able to avoid easy wins and make room for smaller budget films from other countries to win.
It found a way around it and is giving access to films made in local dialects. Any movie made in English language is banned from competing in that category like the British films.
This category was a way to display its diversity and including UK movies or any movie made in English is a poor reflection of its idea.
Consequently, this affects ‘Lionheart’ as the Academy tries to maintain the rules. ‘Lionheart’ could have been made in full Igbo, Hausa or Yoruba languages if it was going to stand the test of time at the Oscar 2020.
But Igbo and Hausa were used sparingly as the Academy indicated in its statement.
Banning movies like ‘Lionheart’ does not oppose its rules around the category. The rules allow it to ban UK movies and at the same time any movie made in the English language.
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