Netflix Buys Nollywood Film ‘Lionheart’ by Genevieve Nnaji

Netflix has bought worldwide rights to  Nnaji’s comedy which world premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival. This purchase marks the first Netflix original film from Nigeria.

Nnaji stars with Nkem Owoh, Pete Edochie, and Onyeka Onwenu. The story follows a daughter who’s forced to work with her feckless uncle in order to save her father’s ailing bus company. Nnaji plays Adaeze, a level-headed executive in her father’s bus company, Lionheart Transport. When her father (played by Edochie) falls ill, both she and her rival (Kalu Egbui Ikeagwu) are passed over in favour of the uncle, played by Owoh.

Complications arise when they discover that the family business is in dire financial straits — leading to absurd results as they try to save the company. The film also touches on everyday sexism that saturates the workplace, as well as the delicate balance between honouring one’s family while finding the courage to strike out on one’s own.

Nnaji also wrote the script with Chinny Onwugbenu, Ishaya Bako, Emil Garuba, and C.J. Obasi. “Lionheart” is produced by T.E.N. — The Entertainment Network. MPM Premium handled the sale.

Speaking with Richard Quest of CNN, Genevieve discussed how she was able to gather funds for the production of the movie and the chances of Nollywood gaining global acceptance.

On how she was able to put the movie together, stated: ”For the money, we had to self-fund unfortunately, we don’t have adequate funding for movies that we actually intend to go global, there isn’t that provision yet.”

"I've realized that language is the only barrier we have, we can all identify with culture, we all identify with pain and with love." says Nigerian actress, Genevieve Nnaji @GenevieveNnaji1 on her movie ‘Lionheart’ pic.twitter.com/Qxkxl4TdQu

— CNN Africa (@CNNAfrica) September 13, 2018

She also explained that Nollywood stands a good chance of going global anytime soon, but she sees language as the only problem that stands as a barrier.