Nigeria’s “Mami Wata” fails to make the shortlist
The 2024 Oscars are fast approaching, and the competition for the best international feature film is heating up. Among the African contenders, only Morocco and Tunisia remain in the running, as Nigeria’s submission “Mami Wata” failed to make the shortlist of 15 films announced on Dec. 21.
“Mami Wata” is a black-and-white fantasy thriller directed by CJ Obasi, a rising star in Nigeria’s Nollywood industry. The film follows a young woman who discovers her connection to a mythical water spirit and must use her newfound powers to fight against a corrupt politician. The film won the world cinema dramatic special jury award at Sundance in January for its cinematography by Lilis Soares.
However, the film did not impress the Academy voters enough to secure a spot on the shortlist, which includes films from France, Iran, Japan, Norway, and Romania, among others. This is the second time that Nigeria has been snubbed by the Oscars, after its first entry in 2020, “Lionheart”, was disqualified for having too much English dialogue.
Morocco and Tunisia still in the race with acclaimed films
Meanwhile, Morocco and Tunisia are still in the race, with films that have received critical acclaim and festival recognition. Morocco’s entry is “Casablanca Beats”, a vibrant musical drama directed by Nabil Ayouch, which follows a group of teenagers who express themselves through rap and hip-hop in a cultural center in the slums of Casablanca. The film premiered at Cannes, where it won the jury prize in the Un Certain Regard section.
Tunisia’s entry is “Four Daughters”, a powerful family drama directed by Kaouther Ben Hania, who scored the country’s first and only nomination in 2021 for “The Man Who Sold His Skin”. The film tells the story of four sisters who reunite after their father’s death and confront their past traumas and secrets. The film also debuted at Cannes, where it competed for the Palme d’Or.
A historic opportunity for both countries
Both films have a chance to make history for their countries, as Morocco has never been nominated for the Oscar, despite submitting 16 times since 1977. Tunisia, on the other hand, has only submitted nine times since 1995, but has already achieved a breakthrough with Ben Hania’s previous film.
The final nominees for the best international feature film will be announced on Jan. 23, 2024, along with the other categories. The 96th Academy Awards will take place on March 10, 2024.
