There have been several incredible actors from Kenya over the years, but only one has managed to achieve the ultimate recognition in the film industry.
Lupita Nyong’o won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress at the 86th Academy Awards. What made this even more impressive was that it was her breakout role.
Nyong’o has gone on to have a glittering career since Steve McQueen’s 12 Years a Slave in 2013, and she remains s the only Kenyan to have won an Oscar.
The Perfect Time to Watch Some Oscar-Nominated Pictures
With the Oscars always rolling around at this time of year, it’s the perfect time to reminisce on some of the best pictures from the previous year that were nominated.
For Kenyans, this can often get them thinking about how Nyong’o managed to make history at the ceremony a decade ago.
For anyone interested in watching some Oscar-nominated movies, it may be hard to view all of them. Luckily, there’s a handy infographic from ExpressVPN that can help you decide what to watch. All you have to do is follow the flow chart and it will tell you what to watch based on your personal choices.
For example, if you fancy an uplifting spectacle, the best choice would be Avatar 2: The Way of the Water.
How Did Nyong’o Win the Oscar?
Films that do well at the Oscars tend to be moving and meaningful. However, it’s hard to think of many that have had the emotional impact that 12 Years a Slave had. When Nyong’o burst onto the Hollywood scene in that picture as Patsey, she handled the tough content matter exceptionally well.
The Kenyan-Mexican actress played a slave on a Louisiana plantation who endures horrific treatment from her owner. Through it all, she remains resilient and acts as a role model to the other people around her.
The performance was emotionally intense, and according to Yahoo, it still haunts her.
Her part in the picture was praised by critics for its emotional depth and authenticity, and she was thoroughly deserving of the Oscar she received for it. Indeed, her ability to convey both the pain and strength of her character made her stand out among the other nominees for the award.
Nyong’o’s win was also significant because it marked her debut performance in a feature film. She had previously only acted in short films and plays, making her win even more impressive.
Her talent and skill as an actress were undeniable, and her victory was a well-deserved recognition of her hard work and dedication to her craft.
For people who want to see Nyong’o on screen, she starred in plenty of incredible movies aside from McQueen’s masterpiece. Most recently, the 40-year-old returned to the MCU in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
This was another highly emotional picture, according to a review in The Guardian. She is also set to play a key part in A Quiet Place: Day One, which will be released in 2024.
