*The Award-winning independent feature RISE, which nabbed the Audience award at the 2023 Mammoth Film Festival, now boasts a Best Supporting Actor WIN via Jimmy Jean-Louis at the recently held 2023 African Movie Academy Awards (AMAAs).
The film has also been invited to be an official selection at the African International Film Festival (aka AFRIFF), which takes place November 5-10, 2023.
Inspired by true events, writer/director Maritte Lee Go’s drama thriller RISE tackles the sensitive and timely issue of female abduction by Boko Haram. In the film, a Nigerian princess infiltrates a Boko Haram slave camp to save her kidnapped sister following the murder of her family. This harrowing story is ultimately one of female empowerment and triumph over male subjugation.
The film was inspired by Michelle Obama’s #bringbackourgirls campaign, which had the mission of rescuing the thousands of girls in Nigeria who are (still to this day) enslaved by the Boko Haram terrorist group.
It came together with the help and participation of both Kweku Mandela and some of the actual Boko Haram survivors. The film was partially shot in Ghana with the support of the Ghanaian military, given Ghana’s shared support and fight against Boko Haram.
RISE features an international breakout cast. Not only does actor Jimmy Jean-Louis, whose recent credits include Assassins Club, Goat Days, and Netflix’s Citation, command a global fanbase on the African continent, but let’s say it again. Jean-Louis was named Best Supporting Actor award at the African Movie Academy Awards for his RISE role!
RISE also features Peter Mensah (Avatar) as “Governor Gaddo,” Joy Sunday (Dear White People) as “Rayowa,” Sufe Bradshaw (Veep) as “Fati,” Sasha Morfaw (The Underground Railroad) as “Aisa,” and Chike Okonkwo (La Brea) as “Alli.”
Actor Jimmy Akingbola who plays “Kachalla ” has been making waves for his recent roles which include Peacock’s Bel-Air, Ted Lasso, and The Tower.
The screenplay was co-written by Broderick Engelhard, Eric B. Fleischman, and Maritte Lee Go. The film is produced by Maurice Fadida (The Golden Globe Nominated The Trial of the Chicago).
In related news, Alta Global Media principals Steven Adams and Theo Dumont have come aboard as Executive Producers of the film. CAA is handling sales. Jimmy Jean-Louis is repped by CAA
MORE NEWS ON EURWEB: Jimmy Jean-Louis Film Earns 10 Africa Movie Awards Nominations for DESRANCES
We Publish News 24/7. Don’t Miss A Story. Click HERE to SUBSCRIBE to Our Newsletter Now!
