Mixed reactions have trailed the selection of ‘Lionheart’, a directorial debut movie by Genevieve Nnaji, veteran Nigerian actress, to represent Nollywood at the 2020 Oscars — especially on social media.
On Wednesday, the Nigerian Oscars Selection Committee (NOSC) announced the movie as the country’s submission to the ‘International Feature Film’ category of award — 13 months after the critically acclaimed film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF).
Nnaji had also expressed her gratitude to her fans after ‘Lionheart’ became the first movie from Nigeria to make it to the Oscars.
The announcement was, however, met with varying reactions and argument on social media platforms, especially Twitter.
While some users argued that there were better movies that could have been selected like ‘King of Boys’, others made a rallying call for Nigerians to celebrate the achievement.
“So Genevieve Nnaji’s ‘Lionheart’ will represent Nigeria at 2020 Oscars. Can we all just celebrate that? it’s not a time to be dividing ourselves & bring tribalism into it or be comparing it to another movie, Just support the choice or keep it moving. For once, be united,” another user said.
Here is what some Nigerians had to say:
So Genevieve Nnaji’s ‘Lionheart’ will represent Nigeria at 2020 Oscars, can we all just celebrate that,it’s not a time to be dividing ourselves & bring tribalism into it or be comparing it to another movie,
Just support the choice or keep it moving.
For once,be united.— Ego oyibo (SKINthusiast 💫) (@Onyimiree) October 3, 2019
@kemiadetiba king of boys movie should've made it to the Oscars… I appreciate Lionheart, but I think King of boys had that Hollywood unpredictable standard
Advertisement— Dr Everest Chidindu Nwaga… (Phd affidavit) (@EverestBBlaQQUE) October 3, 2019
Whether or not king of boys is more deserving of an Oscar than lion heart shouldn't be the case here.
Can we as Nigerians 4 once celebrate that we have a movie for the Oscar's and try to support it,rather than drag n compare.
How hard can being happy be as a Nigerian#kingofboys— ¶SIMBA¶ (@black_bhoy_) October 3, 2019
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Lionheart vs King of Boys.
I saw the trend thinking people were comparing the content and visuals not knowing it was majorly about tribe.
Genevieve vs Kemi AdetibaIt's sad to see that people still have this stinky tribalistic mentality. Y'all need to fix up!
Advertisement— Omoniyi Israel (@_omoissy) October 3, 2019
Genevieve Nnaji’s movie Lionheart has just been nominated for an Oscar .
Dear Nigerian youths , this is the kind of Queen you should Stan not people with artificial butts and boobs
— 🇳🇬 MAZI TOOCHUKWU POGBA 👑 (@sommy_mufc) October 3, 2019
Even people that have not watched both Lionheart and King of Boys are comparing. Because one is an Igbo director and the other is Yoruba.
Backward mentality!
— Omoniyi Israel (@_omoissy) October 3, 2019
Lionheart is being considered for an Oscar nomination and will become Nollywood's first if it gets it, but Nigerians are saying it doesn't deserve it.
Do you know the positive PR Nigeria will get if it gets nominated? Na we dey use our hand do ourself for this country.
— Isima (@IsimaOdeh) October 3, 2019
Here are NewYork Times' Review and Nigerian Review on LionHeart by Genevieve.
Just read and understand the level of bile that is suffocating the country.
We can't move forward with this, never! pic.twitter.com/PvyBEdefZd— Anambra 1st son💭 (@UchePOkoye) October 3, 2019
Genevieve Nnaji's LionHeart is being considered for an Oscar nomination………but instead of celebrating that milestone, our influencers are working overnight to discredit the movie. Buhari is not our problem pic.twitter.com/RTqy4UreWB
— Offi$hal (@DOFFISHAL) October 3, 2019
“LionHeart” gets picked by NOSC to rep Naija at Oscar 2020.
Twitter Idiot: Women stay winning. Men need to understand it’s our time.
Shut the fuck, enjoy the success and keep quiet.
A movie is a collection of ideas and hard work. Must your gender sponsored stupidity ooze?
— KING GABRIEL WAGS🌹 (Johnny Drille Stan) (@GabrielSolanke) October 3, 2019
Lionheart is a PROPERLY made film and that's the hill I've decided to die on this beautiful Thursday morningk.
Overdramatization =/= Acting
— Kiki Mordi (@kikimordi) October 3, 2019
I don't understand how #lionheart beats #kingofboys. But I'm glad there's a Nigerian movie there…
— Cornel (@ekupnse16) October 3, 2019
I suck at movies and that is a weakness . In fact, I am yet to see both King of Boys and Lionheart.However, as long as I am the judge, it's impossible to compete with @GenevieveNnaji1 and win . It's a sin to compare a goddess with mere mortals. Kemi is mortal #Genevieve #Oscar
— Olatunji Rockdweller (@The_Rockdweller) October 3, 2019
I actually think King of boys is better than #Lionheart. But they're both really great movies, never mind the flaws
— Peter Nnajiofor (@Thenewno1) October 3, 2019
Lionheart had very stunning visuals. The opening shots as the camera filmed the landscape of Enugu, following that bus.
Damn!— I Stan Teni 🍥 (@Suave_Sultan1) October 3, 2019
Somehow everybody is now a Genius in prediction…you knew everything that was going to happen in Lionheart….Like you did not know Thanos was going to be defeated one way or the other?
Lion heart has been submitted…Go and remove it!! Everything you're saying after this pic.twitter.com/hqzT2Dnf48
— Nwa Bialu Ije🇳🇬 (@fazfunkie) October 3, 2019
I still need to meet those panel that went ahead to submit Lion Heart ahead of King of boys for Oscar.. pic.twitter.com/EPyGFQRmzi
— OMOTAYO Of Lagos 🇳🇬 (@Tee_Classiquem1) October 3, 2019
You watched the Lion heart movie and had no issue with it then until it got an Oscar nod, suddenly the movie wasn't all that. You will be fine lol
— Yemi (@Yemihazan) October 3, 2019
Most of the people who are crying that King of Boys should have been submitted for the Oscars instead of Lion Heart are just low-key bitter.
The fact that a movie is full of action or interesting doesn't make it Oscar worthy.
Most of the movies that win Oscars are even dry, tbh
— The BoxBreaker™ 🔥🔥 and 82 others (@The__Oluchime) October 3, 2019
I love Genevieve Nnaji’s ‘Lionheart’
I love king of boys, I love Chief Daddy. Nigeria can submit only one movie for the 2020 Oscars. Lionheart was picked, let us all support Genny. 🇳🇬🇳🇬 pic.twitter.com/u69vsD9x3Q— Obinna Nwosu (@obi_Nwosu) October 3, 2019
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