Streaming giants Netflix today made a bid for Oscar glory after launching its first original film, a drama about African child soldiers called Beasts of No Nation starring British actor Idris Elba.
Directed by Emmy Award winner Cary Joji Fukunaga, whose CV includes the acclaimed first season of True Detective, the film's set in West Africa and tells the story of Agu (Abraham Attah), a young villager who has his life shattered when troops arrive to crush a rebellion.
Agu’s mother and sister escape to a nearby city as he gets left behind with his father and brother, but ultimately he is on his own and terrified.
Escaping to the forest where he’s discovered by a company of young rebels led by the charismatic Commandant (Idris Elba), he undergoes harsh treatment, initiation rituals and fiery speeches - but also finds a kindred spirit in a mute fellow recruit.
The movie could herald another game changer by the streaming service after it paid a reputed $12 million for the rights to the indie flick, based on the best-selling book of the same name. As well as being streamed worldwide, Beasts of No Nation also gets a limited theatrical release in the United States and despite its weighty subject matter, it looks poised to be contention for some serious Oscar consideration.
Critics are already raving about Elba's performance in particular and suggesting him for the Best Supporting Actor gong, with talk also about a nod for Cinematography.
