HERO: Inspired by the Extraordinary Life and Times of Mr. Ulric Cross named Best Diaspora Narrative Film in the 15th Africa Movie Academy Awards.
At a star-studded ceremony in Lagos, Nigeria, Frances-Anne Solomon’s HERO was announced the winner of the Best Diaspora Narrative Film at the 15th Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA). The AMAA is considered to be Africa’s most important film event, and its most prestigious film award.
“We are grateful for this recognition from the AMAA jury of HERO’s significance in the canon of African Diasporic film and for audiences around the world. We hope that this will be the first of many awards recognising the importance of our global stories. “ says director Frances-Anne Solomon.
June Givanni, part of the AMAA international jury, shares her thoughts about HERO and its importance: “As a curator, as someone who has been working with Pan-African cinema for a number of years — on the African continent, in the Caribbean, England and in North America — [HERO] is really important, because it brings both the factual aspects of this important story and time, together with a dramatic presentation, and knits them together intricately. It has both a dramatic impact and an impact that carries with it a significant amount of information for audiences. To be honest i cant think of many films that have done this and that do this — For me as a curator, its a gold mine and I congratulate Frances-Anne and everyone who was involved in it.” Mrs. Givanni is also an international programmer of Pan African Cinema.
HERO is currently in the fifth week of its United Kingdom tour, which has included special screenings in major cities including Manchester, Sheffield and Edinburgh.
Produced and directed by British-Trinidadian-Canadian filmmaker Frances-Anne Solomon, HERO received excellent reviews from national publications such as The Financial Times, and the prestigious Sight and Sound film magazine.
“If you are interested in the birth and evolution of Pan-Africanism, you’ll be gripped.” said the London Evening Standard. “The whole process is fascinating in its complexity, and since the struggle of post-colonial transition is a relatively rare cinematic subject matter, it gives the film genuine cachet.” says Sight and Sound’s Trevor Johnston.
The film features a host of celebrated British actors including Joseph Marcell (Fresh Prince of Bel Air), playing the role of writer CLR James; Fraser James, playing the role of George Padmore and British-Nigerian actor Jimmy Akingbola (Holby City), playing Ghana’s first president Kwame Nkrumah. It also features a cameo appearance from popular Eastenders star, Rudolph Walker. Leading the impressive cast is Trinidadian actor Nickolai Salcedo.
Director Frances-Anne and lead actor Nickolai, currently in the UK for the film’s nationwide tour, are joined by Richard Finch, Mr. Cross’ son. Q&As will follow screenings in London, Birmingham, Newcastle, Cardiff, Oxford, Bristol, Northampton with more soon to be announced.
Tickets are on sale here.
For media enquiries, or interview requests, please contact Evadney Campbell, Shiloh PR – 07716 289 717 or email: Evadney@shilohpr.com
