Madu (documentary)
Madu is a 2024 Nigerian documentary film which follows the journey of a twelve-year-old Nigerian ballet dancer, Anthony Madu, whose story broke the internet in 2020 with a video of him dancing in the rain.[1] The documentary, directed by Matthew Ogens and Joel Kachi Benson, premiered on Disney+ on Friday 29 March 2024.[2] It proceeded to win an Emmy Award for Outstanding Arts and Culture Documentary at the 2025 News and Documentary Emmy Awards in New York City.[3]
Synopsis
[edit]Madu features Anthony Madu, whose ballet dance video went viral in 2020 after he was captured dancing in the rain and earned a scholarship at Elmhurst Ballet School.[4] The more-than-an-hour documentary film shines light on Anthony Madu's journey from his home in Ajangbadi, Lagos state, to the United Kingdom.[5] The film highlights Anthony Madu's experiences in the United Kingdom as he navigates his new environment and the new culture he is living in, in the United Kingdom.[6]
Selected cast
[edit]Release date
[edit]Though Madu had its first screening at the 2024 iREP International Documentary Film Festival in Lagos, Nigeria, the film premiered globally on 29 March 2024 on Disney+.[7]
Awards and nominations
[edit]| Year | Award | Category | Recipient | Result | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Emmy Awards | Outstanding Direction (Documentary) | Matthew Ogens, Joel Kachi Benson, Jamie Patricof, Katie McNeill, Rachel Halilej | Nominated | |
| Outstanding Arts and Culture Documentary | Won |
References
[edit]- ^ Phillips, Zoe G. (2024-02-01). "'Madu' Trailer From Disney+ Teases Story of Viral Nigerian Ballet Student". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2025-06-29.
- ^ "Elmhurst Ballet School student Anthony Madu stars in Disney Original feature-length documentary film". Elmhurst Ballet School. 2024-02-15. Retrieved 2025-06-29.
- ^ Fasan, Yewande (2025-06-28). "Joel Benson's documentary 'Madu' wins Emmy Award". The Nation Newspaper. Retrieved 2025-06-29.
- ^ "Friends, Family Gather in Lagos for 'Madu' Documentary Screening". thisdaylive.com. Retrieved 2025-06-29.
- ^ "Friends, Family Gather in Lagos for 'Madu' Documentary Screening". thisdaylive.com. Retrieved 2025-06-29.
- ^ Amos (2024-02-04). "Groundbreaking documentary 'Madu' chronicles inspiring journey of Nigerian dancer Anthony Madu". The Guardian Nigeria News. Retrieved 2025-06-29.
- ^ Cletus, Confidence (July 27, 2024). "Documentary on Nigerian boy in viral 2020 ballet video screened in Lagos". Premium Times.
- ^ "MADU Nominated For Two EMMY® Awards". Elmhurst Ballet School. 2025-06-09. Retrieved 2025-06-29.
- ^ Akhimien, Nosakhale (2025-06-28). "Kachi Benson Wins Emmy For Disney Documentary 'Madu'". Channels Television. Retrieved 2025-06-29.
 | This 2020s documentary film–related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |