Many Nigerians are clearly disappointed by the disqualification of Lionheart movie from the Oscar nominations in the Best International Feature Film category.
It was jubilation for Nigerians and Nollywood industry when it was announced a few weeks ago that the movie had been submitted for the international award.
Unfortunately, the country woke up to the sad news that the movie had been disqualified because it is predominantly in English but Nigerians are having none of it.
Many people have taken to their social media pages to share their views about the news.
Read some reactions below:
This set of people think that the basis for the disqualification is ridiculous.
#Lionheart is a wonderful movie. If it was shot any other way, it would have been messed up. #Lionheart is perfect just the way it is. @GenevieveNnaji1 nailed it. #Lionheart
— Dash™ ? (@147_dash) November 5, 2019
On a lighter note, ‘Nigerian English’ is basically a different language. People who speak English as first language often need to learn the Nigerian version. So, what’s the beef??? #LionHeart is qualified naa??
— Israel odita (@OditaIsrael) November 5, 2019
https://twitter.com/OfficiallyKachi/status/1191622079155724288
Should read: Ready to beat the Academy’s ass for dropping #Lionheart despite the renamed “International Feature Film” category. Show that you want to “[promote] a positive and inclusive view of filmmaking…”.
Or keep the category the same if you’re playing by the same rules imo
— (jewel-l?) (@mmaitato) November 5, 2019
They colonized our countries, forced us to learn their language, and now we’re getting penalized for using the same language. Make it make sense…English is Nigeria’s official language, this is absolute trash. @TheAcademy DO BETTER! #lionheart https://t.co/HMIsSsC92d
— Queen ?????? (@queenetonde) November 5, 2019
https://twitter.com/Ayoolafelix/status/1191624115897196550
Some people argue that the disqualification was not out of place because the rules were clear
https://twitter.com/thatGbagyiboy/status/1191622643390320640
The rules are quite clear. For those arguing that English is our official language, don’t we have great Yoruba movies that would qualify? It’s time we up our game instead of wanting the rules to be bent for us #Lionheart
— Dr. A. TuruMbe (@NDrAgwoTurumbe) November 5, 2019
https://twitter.com/eeffyiiffy/status/1191619620777725953
Leave colonization out of this. Its a new time with massive choices. When you are writing an exam, you may know the answers but if you don't follow the instructions written above the questions, you already know failure is key! #lionheart
— Gabriel Afolayan. (@gabbylucciii) November 5, 2019
Everything is on the Nigerian oscar committee #lionheart
— Gabriel Afolayan. (@gabbylucciii) November 5, 2019
We have blamed everyone but ourselves for not doing due diligence and submitting a "faulty" entry for the Oscars. #Lionheart was disqualified for not meeting one criterion. Is it fair? Maybe not, but @TheAcademy is not to be blamed. 92 other countries submitted & got accepted.
— Setongee (@shirt_on_jeans) November 5, 2019
https://twitter.com/oghosayemi/status/1191579420932345859
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