Madu, A Documentary Film Based On The Journey of a Nigerian Ballet Dancer Premiers on March 29th, 2024
Anthony Madu first went viral in 2020 when a video of him practicing his ballet dance in the rain was posted by the dance academy he was in. He was given the opportunity to join a ballet school in Birmingham, U.K, and now, Disney+ tells the story of his ballet training since then in a new documentary.
The film’s trailer provides insights into Madu’s life, touching upon his perspective on ballet being commonly perceived as a feminine activity as he leaves his home in Lagos to study at Elmhurst Ballet School in England.
The trailer captures scenes of Madu, who commenced dancing at the age of 5, embarking on a journey away from his family, community, and mother, with whom he shares a deep emotional connection.
Upon reaching England, there’s a noticeable shift in surroundings, hinting at the dawn of a new chapter for Madu. However, he soon discovers that talent alone isn’t sufficient as he suffers a medical setback that hinders his dancing. Undaunted, Madu’s personal determination rises and he resolves to grace a grand stage with his dance.
The documentary film, made by Disney+ has been selected to show at the Santa Barbara Film Festival. Madu premieres on the streamer on March 29 2024.
Directed by Academy Award nominee Matt Ogens and Kachi Benson, Madu joins Disney+’s steady content expansion into Africa, notably with animation titles like the sci-fi anthology Kizazi Moto: Generation Fire and Iwaju.