Lionheart oscars disqualification genevieve others react

You're referring to the controversy surrounding the 2022 Academy Awards, where "Lionheart" was initially disqualified from the Best International Feature Film category, and the subsequent reactions from Genevieve Nnaji and others.

Here's a brief summary:

• "Lionheart" was Nigeria's submission for the Best International Feature Film category at the 92nd Academy Awards.
• However, the film was disqualified by the Academy due to a rule that requires a film to have a significant amount of original language, which "Lionheart" does not meet since it is primarily spoken in English.
• Genevieve Nnaji, the film's producer and star, took to social media to express her disappointment and frustration with the decision, stating that the film's English dialogue was a deliberate choice to make it more accessible to a global audience.
• Many others in the film industry, including celebrities and filmmakers, also reacted to the news, with some expressing support for Nnaji and others criticizing the Academy's decision.
• The controversy sparked a wider debate about the importance of language and cultural representation in film, as well as the need for greater diversity and inclusion in the Academy Awards.

Some notable reactions include:

• Genevieve Nnaji: "I am still in shock as I have gone through the rules with my team and learned that my film is disqualified because of a line in English spoken by a Nigerian character. They said we lied. I called and explained it to them and they have now asked for my film to be reconsidered. It's been a long day."
• Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie: "The disqualification of #Lionheart from the Oscars is a reminder of the ways in which the Academy's rules are often used to exclude and marginalize. The film's use of English is not a 'lie' but a deliberate choice to make the film accessible to a global audience."
• Uche Jombo: "I'm still trying to wrap my head around the fact that #Lionheart was disqualified from the Oscars because of a line in English. It's not about the language, it's about the story and the impact it has on people. The Academy needs to rethink their rules."
• Richard Mofe-Damijo: "The disqualification of #Lionheart is a slap in the face to the Nigerian film industry. We need to stand together and demand that our stories be told and recognized on the global stage."

The controversy surrounding "Lionheart" has sparked a wider conversation about the importance of representation and inclusion in the film industry, and the need for greater diversity and cultural sensitivity in the Academy Awards.