Only one Kenyan actor has managed to achieve the highest recognition in the film industry despite the many incredible actors that Kenya has produced over the years. Lupita Nyong’o won the Best Supporting Actress Oscar at the 86th Academy Awards, and what made her win more impressive was that it was her breakout role.
Since her role in Steve McQueen’s 12 Years a Slave in 2013, Nyong’o has had a remarkable career and remains the only Kenyan to have won an Oscar. With the Oscars usually rolling around at this time of year, it is the perfect time to reminisce on some of the best pictures from the previous year that were nominated.
For Kenyans, this period can often evoke thoughts of how Nyong’o made history at the ceremony a decade ago. For anyone interested in watching some Oscar-nominated movies, an infographic from ExpressVPN can help you decide what to watch by following a flow chart based on your personal choices.
Nyong’o’s Oscar win was well-deserved recognition for her ability to convey both the pain and strength of her character, Patsey, a slave on a Louisiana plantation who endures horrific treatment from her owner in the film 12 Years a Slave. Nyong’o’s performance was emotionally intense and praised by critics for its authenticity and emotional depth.
Despite it being her debut performance in a feature film, Nyong’o’s talent and skill as an actress were undeniable. She had only acted in short films and plays before her breakthrough role. Nyong’o starred in other incredible movies such as Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and is set to play a key part in A Quiet Place: Day One, which will be released in 2024.
