THREE 2015 MOVIES TO WATCH OUT FOR — #Africa

This blog brings you the best and latest of African talent and art; on the continent and in the diaspora. Here are 3 movie finds that would be worth checking out-

thE CeO

Synopsis: TransWire Communications is a global phone network with major operation in Nigeria. The CEO, an expatriate, has retired hence the Global Chairman has decided to send five nominees amongst his most senior level staff across Africa on a Leadership course in order to determine which one to appoint as the new CEO of Nigeria.

Popular Nigerian filmmaker, Kunle Afolayan, on Thursday in a press conference unveiled the full details of his next movie, The CEO. The film showcases a cross-selection of African & international cast and crew members with diverse talents and backgrounds.

The cast includes Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter, entertainer and activist from Benin, Angélique Kidjo; Haitan actor and model Jimmy Jean-Louis, best known for his role as The Haitan on the NBC television series Heroes;  actor and founder of the New Nigeria Cinema movement, Wale Ojo; French-Ivorian actress and model, Aurelie Eliam; South African actor and presenter, Nicolaos Panagiotopoulos; Nigerian actress, Kemi Lala Akindoju; Moroccan star, Fatym Layachi; Kenyan actor Peter King, and Nigerian actress, Hilda Dokubo among others.

 

Synopsis – The CEO tells the story of TransWire Communications, a global phone network with major operation in Nigeria. The CEO, an expatriate, has retired; hence the Global Chairman has decided to send five nominees among his most senior-level staff across Africa on a leadership course in order to determine which one to appoint as the new CEO of Nigeria. The process that started relatively smoothly suddenly climaxed in a game of an intriguing death.

(Trailer not yet released) To stay updated, follow on Facebook here or follow the hashtag #theceomovie on social media

FifTy

Hot off its selection for the 2015 BFI London Film Festival, EbonyLife Films today released the official trailer for its highly acclaimed feature film, Fifty. The movie stars Ireti Doyle, Dakore Egbuson-Akande, Omoni Oboli and Nse Ikpe-Etim.

Directed by Biyi Bandele and executively produced by Mo Abudu, FIFTY, captures a few pivotal days in the lives of four Nigerian women at the pinnacle of their careers. Tola, Elizabeth, Maria and Kate are forced at midlife to take inventory of their personal lives, while juggling careers and family against the sprawling backdrops of the upper middle-class neighbourhoods of Lagos.

The trailer is a sneak peek into this tender but unflinching exploration of love and lust, power and rivalry, life and loss in twenty-first century Lagos. The four lead characters, six-inch heels, partying hard and loving strong, with courage and fortitude, navigate life’s unending curveballs.

Fifty will premiere in a special grand Lagos ceremony on the 13th of December 2015 at The Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos and will be released in cinemas nationwide on the 18th of December 2015.

In the meantime, for more information, visit the website: www.fiftythemovie.com  or follow on Twitter: @Fiftythemovie; Instagram: @fiftythemovie or on Facebook: www.facebook.com/FiftyTheMovie

beAsTs of No NaTioN

The powerful new film starring Idris Elba recently had its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival and will screen at the Telluride Film Festival, Toronto Film Festival, and London Film Festival. Beasts of No Nation, A Netflix Original Film.

Synopsis – When civil war tears his family apart, a young West African boy is forced to join a unit of mercenary fighters and transform into a child soldier. Available in select theaters and on Netflix October 16.

Written and directed by Emmy Award winner Cary Fukunaga (“True Detective,” Sin Nombre) and starring Golden Globe winner Idris Elba (“Luther,” Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom), Beasts of No Nation will debut Friday, October 16, 2015, the same day in Landmark theatres in the U.S. and worldwide on Netflix in all territories where the world’s leading Internet TV network is available.

Beasts of No Nation is based on the highly-acclaimed novel by Nigerian author Uzodinma Iweala, bringing to life the gripping tale of Agu, a child soldier torn from his family to fight in the civil war of an African country. Newcomer Abraham Attah gives a stunning portrayal of Agu, while Elba dominates the screen in the role of Commandant, a warlord who takes in Agu and instructs him in the ways of war.

The film is produced by Amy Kaufman and Cary Fukunaga (who previously worked together on Sin Nombre), Daniela Taplin Lundberg, Riva Marker and Dan Crown for Red Crown Productions, along with Elba. Jeff Skoll and Jonathan King are executive producers for Participant Media; Donna Gigliotti is executive producer for Levantine Films; Elizabeth Koch and Kristina Kendall are executive producers for New Balloon; and Bill Benenson, Laura Bickford and Todd Courtney are also executive producers.

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Beautifully Dreaming, Positively Doing

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SHINNING AFRICAN STARS at The Golden Globes

Wishing everyone a great start to a great week.

All over the news, social media timeline and newsfeed, is a beautiful vision of red and  a glowing pride of Africa at the 71st Annual Golden Globe Awards in Los Angeles. Kenyan Lupita Nyong’o the ‘12 Years A Slave’actress, who was nominated for Best Supporting Actress, looked so wonderfully glamorous Sunday night in a bold red gown by Ralph Lauren. Although these African talented stars may not have snagged the award, they sure got the ball rolling with the nominations. Fingers crossed, I read in a FB newsfeed “sometimes they skip people over at the Golden Globes to reward them at other distinguished awards. So we can just hope that this is what will happen”

Getty Images

Our very own (but of course you know, the reference of “of Nigeria origin” is more applicable) “, Nigerian Chiwetel Ejiofor nominated for
Best Actor in a Drama – ‘Dancing On The Edge‘, already has five Golden Globe Award nominations. Chiwetel is nominated against Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom‘s Idris Elba, Captain Phillips‘ Tom Hanks, Dallas Buyers Club‘s Matthew McConaughey (who won) and All is Lost‘s Robert Redford.Chiwetel Ejiofor was also nominated for his role in ’12 Years A Slave’ .

Photo Courtesy Just Jared

Chiwetel Ejiofor and his girlfriend Sari Mercer hit the red carpet together at the 2014 Golden Globe Awards held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Sunday

28-year-old Somali-born newcomer actor  Barkhad Abdi for his role in “Captain Phillips” He was nominated for Best Supporting Actor. “Honestly, I’m in a state of shock,” he said of his unexpected acclaim. “I’ve been blessed, it’s a really great feeling, but wow.” he said in an interview with StarTribune. Wishing Barkhad more Hollywood recognition and success.

Barkhad Abdi, a supporting actor nominee for “Captain Phillips,” arrives at the 71st Golden Globe Awards at the Beverly Hilton on Sunday. (John Shearer / Associated Press / January 12, 2014)

Nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a TV Mini Series for ‘Luther’ (which he won a Golden Globe for in 2010)  and Best Actor in a Motion Picture for his role in ‘Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom’ is the Ladies’ Man himself –  Idris Elba – (Sierra Leone/Ghana) who proudly strutted the runway with his pregnant girlfriend.

British actor Idris Elba and his pregnant girlfriend Naiyana Garth joined forces on the red carpet at LA’s Golden Globe Awards on Sunday.
Courtesy – Daily Mail

Worthy of mention and congratulations on their forthcoming baby ::

Pregnant Kerry Washington seen for the very first time with Nigerian  husband Nnamdi Asomugha [via Global Grind]

Wishing all these actors all the best, as they keep representing the African continent, reflecting her utmost and full potential in all ramifications, globally.

For the full winners’ list, click here

Beautifully Dreaming… Positively Doing..

xoxo

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