The Oscars Academy has given the Nigerian Oscars Selection Committee a deadline of a week to present to them a movie that is able to represent Nigeria. This decision of the Oscar Academy can translate into a piece of good news for the widely acclaimed masterpiece created by Nollywood Filmmaker Kunle Afolayan, Anikulapo.
The committee had initially rejected the Kunle Afolayan directorial for the oncoming Oscars. However, the rejection did not startle or faze the Nollywood Film-Maker Kunle Afolayan, who took to Twitter to celebrate that the rest of the world has considered his movie a masterpiece.
He tweeted, “I am so pleased and delighted that the whole world has decided to tagged ANIKULAPO film “a masterpiece “even though the Nigeria Oscar selection committee think it’s not worth submitting for the Oscars. Will keep making doing my own thing,”
Following this tweet, days afterwards, the movie ranked number one globally on Netflix. The film has been internationally acclaimed.
In response to Netflix’s acknowledgement, Afolayan tweeted, “Netflix officially confirmed that Anikulapo is now ranked No one globally. In non-English titles. Congratulations to us all, and thank you guys for supporting referrals.”
The news of the Oscar Committee’s deadline to the Nigerian Selection Committee is a ray of hope for the Director. He took to his Twitter account to share the news with the people. He Wrote:
“It’s just been confirmed that The academy “OSCARS” has given the Nigerian Oscars selection committee a week to revote and represent a film to represent Nigeria by October 21st. God’s hand is in this one, I believe! Anikulapo is on my mind. “
The film is a surreal portrayal of the ancient Yoruba culture and beliefs based on the Ifa mythology.
According to Nigerian Filmmaker, Kunle, “The backdrop story of this film is rooted in Ifa, and then we added a bit of the Yoruba mythology to (the film). The project aims to help people understand our culture, beliefs, and ways. It will portray what the Yoruba empire was like in those days governance-wise and the lifestyle.”
