Mixed reactions have trailed the disqualification of Genevieve Nnaji’s ‘Lionheart’ by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS).

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‘Lionheart’ was recently selected by the Nigerian Oscars Selection Committee (NOSC) and submitted to represent the country at the award event scheduled for February 9, 2020, in Los Angeles, United States.

The movie, which is partially in English and Igbo languages, was however, disqualified for violating an Academy rule that states that entries in the category must have “a predominantly non-English dialogue track.”

Following the disqualification, a number of Nigerians have taken to Twitter to air their various opinions.

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Nnaji, the movie’s director, had previously registered her “grave” reservations over the disqualification.

“Nigerians will want to change or rewrite rules of the game when it doesn’t favour us and cry foul. It’s a mindset thing. This isn’t excess luggage at the airport. It’s not a few kilograms here and there. Lionheart was cast and scripted in English. Can we accept and move on?,” Daddy Mo asked.

Having read the rules for the Oscars, they shouldn’t have nominated #Lionheart for the @TheAcademy awards for Best International Film. The rule is what it is and I don’t think we should be sentimental about it. It’s a great movie, we love it but the rules says are the rules,” a Twitter user said.

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“Something about this doesn’t seem fair. The film was disqualified because it’s mostly in English. Meanwhile, the official language of Nigeria is English,” another user said.

Here is what some Nigerians had to say:

 



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