Lionheart | |
---|---|
Directed by | Genevieve Nnaji |
Written by | Genevieve Nnaji
|
Produced by | Chinny Onwugbenu |
Starring |
|
Cinematography | Yinka Edward |
Edited by | George Cragg |
Music by | Kulanen Ikyo |
Production company | The Entertainment Network (T.E.N) |
Distributed by | Netflix MPM Premium |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 95 minutes |
Country | Nigeria |
Languages | |
Box office | ₦21.3m [1] |
Lionheart is a 2018 Nigerian drama film produced by Chinny Onwugbenu and directed by Genevieve Nnaji. It stars Pete Edochie, Genevieve Nnaji, and Nkem Owoh. It was acquired by Netflix on 7 September 2018, [2] making it the first Netflix original film produced in Nigeria. [3] Lionheart premiered at the 2018 Toronto International Film Festival in Canada. [4] The movie was Nnaji's directorial debut [5] as well as Peter Okoye's and Chibuzor Azubuike's (also known as Phyno) acting debut. [6] The film was released worldwide on 4 January 2019 on Netflix. [7]
Lionheart was selected as the Nigerian entry for the Best International Feature Film at the 92nd Academy Awards. [8] It was the first time that Nigeria had submitted a film to the Oscars. [9] On 4 November 2019, the Academy disqualified the film as the majority of the dialogue is in English [10] and only about ten minutes of the film is in Igbo. [11]
Lionheart tells the story of Adaeze Obiagu, who wants to substitute for her father, Chief Ernest Obiagu, when he can no longer run his company due to health issues. Her father, however, asks his brother Godswill to take his place, and Godswill and Adaeze have to work together to save the company from debt as well as a threatened takeover by businessman Igwe Pascal.
The movie was produced by Chinny Onwugbenu for MPM Premium in association with The Entertainment Network. Netflix acquired the worldwide distribution rights to the movie on 7 September 2018, a day before its premiere at the 2018 Toronto International Film Festival. [12] [13] [14]
A trailer for the film was released on 24 August 2018. [15] On 4 January 2019, the film was available to stream worldwide on Netflix. [7]
Lionheart has received favorable reviews from various critics. On the review aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a 100% approval rating with an average rating of 6.3/10 based on seven reviews. [16] Nollywood Reinvented mentioned in their review of the film that it "works because it’s heartfelt", [17] and rates the movie at 61%. Womentainment instead focused on the star and director, Genevieve Nnaji, recommending that people watch it "for the fierce woman who stars and directs". [18] Nollywood Post further commends Genevieve Nnaji in its review: "Lionheart was a satisfactory story to tell in favor of feminism without it being overly the subject matter." [19]
Meanwhile, the film also received a few negative reviews due to what some people perceived as its "unrealistic" plotline. A review on Nairametrics noted that the film's writers and producers failed to properly research the workings of the corporate environment prior to making the film. As a result, some minor blunders were made. [20]
Genevieve Nnaji is a Nigerian actress, producer, and director. She won the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role in 2005, making her the first actor to win the award. In 2011, she was honoured as a Member of the Order of the Federal Republic by the Nigerian government for her contributions to Nollywood. Her directorial debut movie, Lionheart, is the first Netflix film from Nigeria and the first Nigerian submission for the Oscars. The movie was disqualified for having most of its dialogue in English. After having spent decades in the movie industry, she was profiled alongside some celebrities and business executives in 2020 in two new books by publisher and Editor in Chief of Yes International! magazine, Azuh Arinze.
Chief Pete Edochie, MON is a Nigerian actor. Edochie is considered one of Nigeria’s most talented actors, being honored with an Industry Merit Award by Africa Magic and Lifetime Achievement by Africa Film Academy Although a seasoned administrator and broadcaster, he came into prominence in the 1980s when he played the lead role of Okonkwo in a Nigerian Television Authority adaptation of Chinua Achebe’s all-time best selling novel, Things Fall Apart. Edochie descends from the Igbo people of Nigeria and is a Catholic. In 2003, he was honored as a Member of the Order of the Niger by President Olusegun Obasanjo.
Anayo Modestus Onyekwere popularly known as Kanayo O. Kanayo is a Nigerian actor and lawyer. In 2006, he won the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his performance in the movie Family Battle.
Majid Michel is a Ghanaian actor, model, television personality, evangelist and a humanitarian. He received nominations for Best Actor in a Leading Role at the Africa Movie Academy Awards in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014 and 2017. He eventually won the award in 2012 after three previous consecutive nominations. Majid Michel attended Mfantsipim School, along with fellow actor Van Vicker.
The Africa Movie Academy Awards, popularly known as AMAA and The AMA Awards, is presented annually to recognize excellence among professionals working in, or non-African professionals who have contributed to, the African film industry. It was founded by Peace Anyiam-Osigwe and is run through the Africa Film Academy. The awards are aimed at honouring and promoting excellence in the African movie industry as well as uniting the African continent through arts and culture. The award presentation is attended by numerous media representatives, celebrities, politicians, journalists, actresses and actors from all across the world. The AMA Awards is widely considered to be Africa's most important film event and the most prestigious film award in Africa. A variety of international observers have fondly called the African Movie Academy Awards the "African Oscars".
Living in Bondage is a 1992/93 Nigerian two-part drama thriller film directed by Chris Obi Rapu, written by Kenneth Nnebue and Okechukwu Ogunjiofor, produced by Ogunjiofor, and sponsored by Jafac Wine. The film was shot straight-to-video, and starred Kenneth Okonkwo and Nnenna Nwabueze in their breakout roles. It is regarded as the first Nigerian home video which achieved blockbuster success.
Tango with Me is a 2010 Nigerian romantic drama film written by Femi Kayode, produced and directed by Mahmood Ali-Balogun and starring Genevieve Nnaji, Joseph Benjamin and Joke Silva. The film was nominated for 5 awards at the 7th Africa Movie Academy Awards.
Mercy Johnson Okojie is a Nigerian actress, film director and film producer. She went to a Rivers State Secondary School for her secondary education in addition to the Nigerian Navy Secondary School in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Right after her secondary education, she auditioned for a role in the movie titled The Maid and subsequently acted in other movies such as Hustlers, Baby Oku in America,and War in the Palace.
Mildred Okwo is a Nigerian film director and producer. She was nominated for Best Director award at the 4th Africa Movie Academy Awards. In 2012 she directed the romance comedy-drama film The Meeting which won several awards including Nigeria Entertainment Awards, Africa Movie Academy Awards and Nollywood Movies Awards.
Segun Arinze is a Nigerian actor and singer.
Yul Chibuike Daniel Edochie popularly known as Yul Edochie is a Nigerian actor. He is from Anambra State, Nigeria, the son of Nigerian actor Pete Edochie.
Road To Yesterday is a 2015 Nigerian road romantic drama film directed by Ishaya Bako. It stars Genevieve Nnaji and Oris Erhuero in lead roles, with Majid Michel and Chioma 'Chigul' Omeruah in supporting roles. The film, which is co-produced by Genevieve Nnaji, is the actress' first effort as a producer.
Yinka Edward, born in Jos, Nigeria, is a Nigerian cinematographer best known for his works on the films October 1, 93 Days, A Love Story, Confusion Na Wa and Lionheart.
Chinny Onwugbenu is a Nigerian film producer notable for co-producing Road to Yesterday and producing Lionheart. She is the co-founder of The Entertainment Network (TEN), a film production company in Nigeria.
Lagos Real Fake Life is a 2018 Nigerian comedy film directed by Mike Ezuruonye. The film stars Nollywood actors and actress such as Nedu Wazobia, Mercy Aigbe, Nonso Diobi, Annie Idibia, IK Ogbonna, MC Lively, Efe Irele including Canadian-born Ghanaian actress, Hailliote Sumney. The film portrays the artificial lifestyles lived by certain individuals who visit or reside in Lagos, mostly youths.
Rattlesnake is a 1995 Nigerian action film written and directed by Amaka Igwe and produced by Austin Awulonu. It was Amaka Igwe's first foray into making a feature length film and was made in 3 parts. It features Francis Duru, Okechukwu Igwe, Nkem Owoh, Anne Njemanze and Ernest Obi.
Foreigner’s God is a 2019 Nollywood movie produced by Kelechi Freeman Ukadike and directed by Ifan Ifeanyi Michael under the production company of Ifan Micheal Productions. The movie stars Henry Coxe, Ini Dima-Okojie, Toni Tones, Pete Edochie, Nkem Owoh, Bambam , Teddy A (Tope Adenibuyan, Eucharia Anunobi, Sam Dede, Toyin Abraham, Salma Mumin, and others.