By the use of Itunu Azeez Kareem
December 22, 2023 | 4:49 pm
Nigeria and CJ Obasi's 'Mami Wata' misses out on a spot on the 2024 Oscars shortlist. Regardless of being Nigeria's official entry for the Worldwide Characteristic Movie (IFF) class on the 96th Academy Awards, the movie didn’t make the reduce . CJ Obasi, the author and director of 'Mami Wata', created a brand new interpretation of West African folklore,…
Nigeria and CJ Obasi's 'Mami Wata' misses out on the 2024 Oscars shortlist.
Regardless of being Nigeria's official entry for the Worldwide Characteristic Movie (IFF) class on the 96th Academy Awards, the movie didn’t make the reduce.
CJ Obasi, the author and director of 'Mami Wata', created a reinterpretation of West African folklore, celebrating the mythology of a mermaid god and exploring themes of femininity.
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Shot within the Republic of Benin, the movie tells the story of a coastal neighborhood pressured to reevaluate its beliefs when a stranger washes ashore and disrupts concord.
After being chosen as an entry for Nigeria, Cj Obasi had mentioned; “It felt nice. I feel we undoubtedly deserve it, and everybody labored so arduous on this movie and bled a lot for it,” Obasi advised Al Jazeera. “It's all the time a giant deal in case you get what you deserve right here. I by no means take it with no consideration simply because I deserve it. I’m extraordinarily grateful to the Nigerian Oscar choice committee.”
Whereas 'Mami Wata' could not have been shortlisted for the Oscars, it has made its mark with a Particular Jury Award on the 2023 Sundance Movie Competition for its fascinating black-and-white cinematography.
It has additionally attracted worldwide consideration. Mami Wata is already a success and is being screened at at the least 15 festivals worldwide. In 2021, it made the finals of the 78th Venice Worldwide Movie Competition in 2021. In January 2023, Mami Wata had its world premiere on the Sundance Movie Competition and gained the Particular Jury Prize for Cinematography.
The movie is a fantastic illustration of the cultural mythology, which achieved success in theatrical releases in Nigeria and past.
As anticipation mounts for the 96th Oscars on March 10, 2024, this setback displays Nigeria's previous experiences. 'LionHeart' in 2019 and 'The Milkmaid' for the 93rd Oscars additionally confronted challenges in making the IFF shortlist.
Both manner, 'Mami Wata' is a testomony to Nigeria's vibrant storytelling, which brings folklore to life on the worldwide stage.
