The 10th Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA), which took place on Saturday at the Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos, have been met with a mix of reactions.
The most talked-about aspect of the occasion was Funke Akindele’s groundbreaking film, “A Tribe Called Judah,” which was overwhelmingly rejected.
The evening’s biggest prize was “Breath Of Life,” which took home six statuettes: Best Picture, Best Sound Design, Best Director (BB Sasore), Best Lead Actor (Wale Ojo), Best Supporting Actor (Ademola Adedoyin), Best Supporting Actress (Genoveva Umeh), and Trailblazer (Chimezie Imo).
However, despite being the first Nigerian film to make over N1 billion at the box office in December, “A Tribe Called Judah” was not selected for any of the five awards.
An important milestone for the Nigerian film industry is reached when the billion-naira record, previously held by Hollywood’s “Black Panther 2,” at N1.04 billion, is broken.
The story of A Tribe Called Judah centres on five brothers: Olumide Oworu as Ejiro Judah, Tobi Makinde as Shina Judah, Uzee Usman as Adamu Judah, Jide Kene Achufusi as Emeka Judah, and Timini Egbuson as Pere Judah. These brothers must band together to loot a firm in order to save their mother, played by Akindele as Jedidah Judah.
As expected, the snub of Nigeria’s highest-grossing film has sparked a social media firestorm.
Here is some of the reactions on X:
Didn’t deserve none in the first place
— 🧘🏽♂️Abdul🧘🏽♂️ (@Omo_Oloore1) May 11, 2024
Breathe of life deserves that awards? Funke akindele has always been winning , let other too shine , this year no ojoro abeg
— Bukola oladele. (@Bimbolarh) May 11, 2024
Regardless tribe of Judah deserved at least one award, it was very good, the story line was nice, the suspense was a 10, the emotions! Lesson was learnt!
— DeeDee🌟 (@DiianaD_) May 11, 2024
Even jagun jagun has a better storyline and acting than atcj
If we are being honestSo no robbery here
— Henry uwakwe (@Henryuwakwe7) May 11, 2024
I can’t get tired of watching that movie,it deserves to be recognized
It shows how mysterious the ways of God can be , keeping a man alive for another man to live again and to live successfully😔
— Oma Charles ❤️ (@ChiomaG03040637) May 11, 2024
Breathe of life is quite a unique movie… if not the casts one won’t believe it’s a Nollywood movie, from the setting to the storyline everything is just so fresh and unusual… tribe called Judah is a regular storyline “money heist”
— Prince Ansa (@prince_blogger) May 11, 2024
A tribe called Judah was a good movie but breathe of life is a better movie.
— Sharon felix (@Onxy_s) May 11, 2024
Why must there be a comparison?? Breathe of life won and it’s good… they are both good movies
— Jennifer (@Nifferen2) May 11, 2024
If all her movies make sense , she has every right to win over and over again ! Nigerians and there sentiments smh
— AyoCookie (@mohicandiva) May 11, 2024