"Dahomey" is More Important to Me than "Emilia Pérez"

 

"Dahomey" is More Important to Me than "Emilia Pérez" 

I have ignored posting on the nominees for the 97th Academy Awards, because I was disappointed that Mati Diop's critically acclaimed multiple award winning documentary film, "Dahomey" was not included among the nominees after it was shortlisted for the Best Documentary Feature category and the Best International Feature Film category. 

This is the second time that her award winning film has not made the nominees after winning a highly coveted award at one of the Big Five international film festivals in the world. 

She won the Grand Prix at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival for her feature film debut, "Atlantics" and was the entry of Senegal for the Best International Feature Film category of the 2019 Academy Awards, but it was not nominated. And her second feature film, "Dahomey" that won the Golden Bear at the 2024 Berlin International Film Festival and the entry of Senegal for the Best International Feature Film category was not nominated.

The most likely predicted winner is of course, Jacques Audiard's controversial musical romantic crime drama, "Emilia Pérez" with the record of 13 nominations, the highest number for the 97th Academy Awards to be held on March 2, 2025, at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles. But I doubt if the film can win up to five Oscars.

I don't know how the nominees are chosen, because the judges and specific  criteria are not known to the public, except the voting members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) whose membership of the academy is based more on being recommended than on the merit of professional criteria. So, membership can be influenced by the familiarity with influential members of AMPAS. 

The content and context of "Dahomey" as an anticolonial historical film on repatriation have a more universal theme than a romantic crime thriller of sexual orientation and personal insecurities and sentiments.

It will be better and more meritorious if the winners of the highly esteemed critically juried Palme 'Or and Grand Prix of the Cannes Film Festival; Golden Bear of the Berlin International Film Festival or Berlinale; Golden Lion of Venice Film Festival; People's Choice Award and the FIPRESCI Prize, or International Film Critics Awardt at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) and the Grand Jury Prize Dramatic, Directing Award Dramatic, Grand Jury Prize Documentary and Directing Award Documentary at Sundance Film Festival qualify for the nominations for the annual Academy Awards.

I agree with the following statement by Tim Dirks, editor of AMC's Filmsite, has written of the Academy Awards:

Unfortunately, the critical worth, artistic vision, cultural influence and innovative qualities of many films are not given the same voting weight. Especially since the 1980s, moneymaking "formula-made" blockbusters with glossy production values have often been crowd-pleasing titans (and Best Picture winners), but they haven't necessarily been great films with depth or critical acclaim by any measure"

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Academy_Awards

 

 -;By Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima,
Founder, Publisher and Editor,
NOLLYWOOD MIRROR® Series,
The first book series on Nollywood and the Nigerian film industry distributed by Amazon, Barnes and Noble and other booksellers.

‘The Witness’, A Musical Stage Play on The Passion of JESUS Christ

"The Witness"

A Musical Stage Play that is sure to captivate audiences with its unique perspective on the passion of JESUS Christ.

This play is told from the point of view of Claudia, the only woman who spoke up for Jesus Christ. Through her eyes, we gain new insights and a deeper appreciation for the events that transpired. The Witness is not only a powerful story but also a musical play that promises to delight audiences with its moving performances and catchy tunes.

One of the most rewarding aspects of this project has been the opportunity to work with less privileged children who have a passion for theater. We have partnered with professionals who are training them and giving them exposure to the creative world. By supporting this production, you will not only be helping us to share this beautiful story with the world, but also helping to provide opportunities for these talented children.

In order to bring this production to life, we need financial support. We would be incredibly grateful for any contribution you can make to help us reach our fundraising goals. Additionally, we would be honored if you, your family members, and friends could attend one of our performances at Terra Kulture on either;

Friday, March 31, 2023 and Saturday, April 1, 2023. SHOW TIME: 3:00pm and 7:00pm each day.

Your presence would be greatly appreciated and would help to make this project a success.

Thank you for your time and consideration. We believe that The Witness has the power to make a real impact, and we hope that you will join us in bringing this important story to life.

Call Rosemary on Tel: 0802 312 4308 or Francis on Tel: 0816 979 5827 for seat reservation.

Regular Seat - N10,000. 

VIP Seat - N20,000.

VVIP Seat - N40,000.

Payment should be made to:

ORNAMENTS PRODUCTION LIMITED (FIDELITY BANK PLC)

ACCOUNT NO - 5610079924

Or on https://paystack.shop/the-witness-a-musical-stage-play

Sincerely,
Uche Cynthia Nwuka.

#JESUS 

#JESUSChrist 

#Christ 

#Easter

#Passion

#TheWitness

#drama

#musical

#play

#Claudia

#children

#project

#April

#saturday 

Leos Carax Makes "Annette" Masterpiece of Modern Cinema

"Annette" by Leos Carax is an awesome poetic romantic musical drama that is going to become an all time classic in modern cinema.

The cinematography by Caroline Champetier is awesome in poetic imagery of impressionism.  

Adam Driver as "Henry McHenry" and Marion Cotillard as "Ann Defrasnoux" were outstanding in unforgettable performances of their iconic characters of two famous entertainers who became starstruck lovers in Los Angeles, the entertainment capital of the world.

Synopsis:

Present-day Los Angeles. Henry is an outspoken stand-up comedian, Ann a world-famous singer. They’re a happy celebrity couple, living life in the glare of the spotlight, but their world is turned upside-down by the birth of their first child, Annette, a mysterious little girl with an exceptional destiny.

The opening film of the 74th annual Cannes Film Festival is most likely going to win the Palme d'Or. 

I  look forward to seeing it nominated for the Best Picture and other Oscars at the next Academy Awards of the Academy  of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), in 2022.

Release Date:

Friday, August 6, 2021 (Limited)

Friday, August 20, 2021 (PrimeVideo)

 Runtime: 2 rs, 20m  

Language: English

- By Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima,

https://www.amazon.com/author/ekenyerengozimichaelchima