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Wednesday 5 March 2014

AMVCA 2014: THE MOST DESERVING VERSUS THE MOST POPULAR


The Oscars have come and gone which was very delightful and memorable for many Africans as one of their own Lupita N’yongo broke the ceiling with her win as the best actress in a supporting role. That was beside the many side attractions.
Lupita N'yongo
 

This weekend Africans will be celebrating their own film stars at the African Magic Viewers Choice Award (AMVCA) but unlike the Oscars where the nominee’s fate is solely in the hands of the voting members of The Academy who are very knowledgeable film people, the winners for the AMVCA will be decided by the voting public which I think may obstruct transparency in the awarding of the most deserving of the lot.

The criteria used in awarding a best actor or actress in a film/movie awards is usually based but not restricted to the actors understanding of and commitment to the script, embodying the character both physically and use of vocal traits, believability of the character, overall effectiveness of the performance and many more technical jargons which cannot be listed here for paucity of space. But does the voting public know about these yardsticks, and if they are, will they be willing to abide by them since they are not under any obligation to stand by them. It’s simply who appeals most to the voting public, and who the public fancies the most may not be strongest in terms of performance.

 
Leonardo Dicaprio
Leonardo and Matthew Mcconaughey
 


Take for instance, the recent Oscars that saw Leonardo Dicaprio losing the Best Actor Award to Matthew McConaughey which met with public outcry as many took to twitter to register their displeasure. From the various comments I read online, Leonardo simply deserved the statuette more than the other contenders because he has never won any Oscars for the duration of his career. Their argument wasn’t even on the basis of a superior performance than the other nominees.

 

Imagine if The Academy Awards had been thrown open to the voting public? The tables would have been turned; Leonardo would have been the one given the gong and Matthew hugging him in congratulations.

 
Back to the AMVCA, where the popular such as Majid Michel, Nse Ikpe Etim, Obi Emelonye, Barbara Minishi, Ian Mbugua and Desmond Elliot are mixed with the not-been-heard-of-before like Tope Tedela, Stephanie Wilson, and Martins Onyebuchi  Onyemaobi in different categories I wonder if the public’s choice will be the most deserving at the end of the day.

For the list of the nominees click on this link: AMVCA 2014

 

1 comment:

  1. I totally tow ur line of thought. Opening voting to the public, sort of brings it down from high to popular culture. And I am sorry but with time, it may not be taken seriously. Art is serious and should be judged on certain yardsticks and not by the public who may pick one over another because they like their dress sense or accent.

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