Academy Disqualifies's LionHeart Movie From Oscar Consideration, Genevieve Nnaji Reacts!!!!

Sadly, Nigeria's Oscar hopes are dashed as the country's first ever submission in the best International Feature Film category was disqualified from the Oscar race by the Academy. The film, "LionHeart" was made by actress-turned-director, Genevieve Nnaji. The Netflix original production in which Nnaji also stars, is partially in the Igbo language of Nigeria. But it is mostly in English which violates an Academy rules that entries in this category must have "a predominantly non English dialogue track".
According to the Academy, 95minutes LionHeart movie only had about 11minutes of Igbo language, making it ineligible...….But duhhhhh! English is Nigeria's official language!

Genevieve has since reacted to the news. As always, it was a classy response from the screen goddess. In her response, the actress said the film represent how Nigerians communicate and we all agree.
Give me a break, Academy! Please, come up with something else...…WE ARE NOT BUYING THIS.

See Genevieve's reaction after the jump!!!



"This movie represent the way that we speak as Nigerians. This includes English which acts as abridge between the 500+ languages spoken in our country; thereby making us #OneNigeria. She then added
 "It's no different to how French connects communities in former French colonies. We did not choose who colonized us. As ever, this movie and many like it, is proudly Nigeria"

Adding his two cents is America film maker, Ava DuVerney who criticized the decision saying....

"To @TheAcademy, You disqualified Nigeria's first ever submission for Best International Feature because it's in English. But English is the official language of Nigeria. Are you barring this country from ever competing for an Oscar in it's official language?"




"LionHeart" is currently available on Netflix. In it, Nnaji plays a woman who tries to keep her father's struggling company afloat in a male dominated field. The movie also starred some of Nigeria's finest-----Pete Edochie who played her dad, Onyeka Owenu, Nkem Owoh, Kanayo O Kanayo and many more.