Awards: Oscar selection committee rejects ‘Anikulapo’, two other Yoruba-language film submissions; Kunle Afolayan reacts

Producer and director, Kunle Afolayan has reacted to his movie Anikulapo snub by the Oscar selection committee. 

The movie centres on a stranger who strikes an illicit affair with one of the King’s young wives, which eventually gets him sentenced to death after the affair was discovered.

Last month, Nigeria’s Oscar Selection Committee announced they had received three Yoruba-language submissions: Aníkúlápó, Elesin Oba, The King’s Horseman and King of Thieves. They would go on to determine they would not enter because a majority of the selection committee voted that all three films were “non-eligible.

Afolayan had partnered with Netflix, and the movie was produced and shot by Jonathan Kovel at the recently launched KAP resort in a village in Oyo State.

The 47-year-old made clear his opinion in an Instagram post via his official handle on Monday.

“I am so pleased and delighted that the whole world has decided to tag Amikulapo film a masterpiece even though the Nigerian selection committee thinks it’s not worth submitting to the Oscars,” a disappointed Afoloyan wrote.

“Will keep making and doing my thing.”

In spite of the rejection, Anikulapo has received positive reviews from the audience and critics alike.

“Anikulapo is not just any other movie but one that will leave a lasting impression on its audience,” Prolific filmmaker, Tunde Kelani said about the movie.