Madu (2024) is a documentary that shows the life of Anthony Madu, a Nigerian teenager who went viral for a video of him dancing ballet barefoot in the rain in Africa. Directed by the talented directors Matt Ogens and Joel Kachi Benson, you will experience Anthony’s exciting adventure from the streets of Lagos to the prestigious halls of the Elmhurst Ballet School in England.

The trailer for this documentary begins with Madu telling his story. Since early age Madu was in love with ballet, at the short age of five its reported that he fall for dancing eventually ending up on ballet, Anthony never imagined he would become famous worldwide thanks to a video of him making ballet movements under the rain in Lagos, and that it would also change his life forever, earning him a scholarship to study in one of the most prestigious ballet school in UK. “Madu” is a story of courage. This documentary will inspire us fight for our dreams, to overcome fear and obstacles, and to achieve what fulfills us and makes us happy.

The documentary premiere was on February 7th at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, and it will be available March 29th through Disney Plus.

Matthew Ogens: Matthew Ogens is a director full of creativity in the world of film. With an impressive portfolio that include different genres, he has made his mark with works such as the Emmy-nominated series “Why We Fight” (2019), the touching documentary “Home + Away” (2018), Netflix documentary “Audible” (2021) nominated in the 94th Academy Awards for Best Documentary Short Subject, and many others. The director in every movie wants to highlight the resilience of every individual and the way every one fight for their dreams and their life, with fear but at the same time with courage. His directorial style seamlessly combines reality with cinema, offering viewers an unique and immersive experience. Michael Ogens is a director with an ability to capture authentic stories.

In the documentary “Home + Away,” Ogens bring a story that follows three Mexican-American student athletes attending high school in El Paso, Texas but living in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. Ogens show us in this documentary the struggles, challenges and complexity of the three students living on the border and at the same time shows resilience, courage and persistence to achieve their dreams.

Joel Kachi Benson: Joel Kachi Benson is a Nigerian filmmaker who is revolutionizing the way African stories are told. Benson is recognized by the movie In Bakassi (2018) and the documentary Daughters of Chibok (2019), which made him the winner of The Best VR Story Award at the 2019 Venice International Film Festival, making Benson as the first African in receive this award. The documentary was created to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the Chibok schoolgirls abduction. The story is tell by Yana Galang, one of the mother whose daughter was kidnapped by a terrorist group in 2014. The movie captures the anguish, desire, and strength of a mother who refuses to forget her daughter. This shows that Benson has a special talent for telling stories in a personal and profound way. His movies invite us to enter African culture and to learn about the experiences of people who usually do not have a voice.

In Madu, Benson joins director Matt Ogens to create an inspiring movie that transcends borders and cultures, focusing on Anthony’s dream, capturing his essence, remarkable resilience, determination and always focus in never let down his family.

Anthony Madu: The protagonist is Anthony Madu, whose viral ballet performance catapulted him into the public eye. Although this documentary marks his first major appearance in movies, Anthony’s journey from a rain soaked street in Lagos to the prestigious Elmhurst Ballet School is a testament to his passion and dedication. His story serves as inspiration for aspiring artists worldwide. I would really say, for anyone who wants to achieve a dream and feels that the conditions around them are not the most favorable, fulfilling the saying that dreams know no boundaries.

While Anthony is the central protagonist of the movie, the supporting cast plays a crucial role in the plot. Although there is not much information available about the actors on IMDb, some play fictional characters, while others are real people from Anthony’s life.

Critics praise the film’s ability to capture the essence of Anthony’s talent and determination, highlighting the universal message of perseverance and possibility. Audiences have echoed these sentiments, praising Anthony as a role model and celebrating the film’s ability to inspire and uplift. Possibly, this documentary could be in the running for Best Documentary Feature at the 2025 Oscars.

Despite all the challenges of filming a documentary going through continents and cultures, the production of Madu overcame many obstacles with a lot of resilience, although the details of the filming process remain undisclosed for the moment, no delays or any kind of trouble during the filming says a lot from the production team, their hard work, dedication and professionalism.

In my opinion, Madu is the story of a boy who his spirit and determination serve as testament that the only boundaries are in our minds. With directors Matt Ogens and Joel Kachi Benson at the top of the spear and Anthony Madu leading the cast, the film promises to make a mark on the global audience. I believe that throughout the documentary, we will always remember that with passion, perseverance, and the right opportunities, anything is possible.