Madu
By Jennifer Green,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Docu about Nigerian boy following his dreams has violence.
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Madu
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What's the Story?
MADU follows the story of Anthony, a young boy from Nigeria who has always loved to dance, though this isn't socially acceptable for boys in his hometown. When an Instagram video of him dancing goes viral, a private dance school discovers him and invites Anthony to come live and study in the UK. His family can barely afford basics, and though they'll miss him dearly, they see this as a huge opportunity for him. Anthony moves to the UK, where he experiences some culture shock, and it takes time for him to find his footing. Slowly, he begins to make friends and feel at home at the English boarding school -- so much so that a visit home is tense when he no longer knows where he fits in. Meanwhile, Anthony's vision is slowly fading in one eye due to an infection from childhood, and he worries this could impact his career as a dancer.
Is It Any Good?
Good for Disney for supporting the release of a poignant, global story like Nigerian ballet student Anthony's, though this unhurried and understated film will appeal to a limited audience. Anyone interested in dance, or who has been, had, or even known a child with an exceptional talent, will connect with Madu. The directors are holding no hands, explaining little, and allowing the quiet teen to live his story at his own pace. This opens up some emotional moments, many involving Anthony's mother and family, and allows viewers to draw their own conclusions about Anthony's feelings and his likely future.
The downside to this is that you may feel you want more information. What's the story behind the Instagram video that alerted the UK school to the Nigerian boy's talents? What do his teachers really think of him (he's clearly special in his village; is he just one in the crowd of other dance students)? Who was the camera operator with Anthony at so many intimate moments? Was it one person or more? The film opts to essentially pretend the camera isn't there (outside of direct interviews), which does foster a fly-on-the-wall sensation but also leaves out an obviously important part of this story and how it came to be a film.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the ways in which Anthony shows perseverance in Madu. How does that character strength and determination serve him in more ways than one?
What questions were you left with about Anthony? Where could you go for more information?
What are the benefits and limitations of telling a person's story by following them over the course of a year (or more) with a camera?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming: March 29, 2024
- Cast: Anthony Madu
- Directors: Matthew Ogens , Joel Kachi Benson
- Inclusion Information: Black directors
- Studio: Disney+
- Genre: Documentary
- Topics: Sports and Martial Arts , Brothers and Sisters
- Character Strengths: Perseverance
- Run time: 100 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- Last updated: March 31, 2024
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