BY ELLY GITAU
Sweden-based Tanzanian filmmaker Ernest Napoleon couldn’t sleep for three days following the Oscar win by Kenyan actress Lupita Nyong’o last year.
Speaking exclusively to Word Is, the filmmaker — currently in Kenya in a promotional tour for his award-winning movie, Going Bongo, said Lupita’s win was the biggest highlight in the history of African filmmaking so far.
“Lupita’s win was a win for Africa. Before that, African film talents used to be ignored internationally. Now the case is different. We are being listened to more than ever before. We have made a resounding announcement that Africa is able,” he says. He adds, “When she was announced a winner in the Academy Awards in 2014, I couldn’t sleep for three straight days. I was at Cannes Film Festival with her and it felt so good just to be with her in the same event. She is such a star right now. She has put us, African film talents, on the map. I am just hoping we will continue to produce many more Lupitas.”
Napoleon’s 2015 comedy drama film was directed by Dean Matthew Ronalds. Napoleon stars as Dr Lewis Burgerand. It also features Kenyan, Tanzanian, American and Italian actors including Emanuela Galliussi, Nyokabi Gethaiga and Ashley Olds. It was filmed in LA and Tanzania at a cost of Sh25.2 million.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment