In collaboration with Giannis Antetokounmpo, WhatsApp and the NBA star will launch “Ugo: A Homecoming Story,” an original documentary that follows the Greek-Nigerian player as he makes his first trip back to Nigeria.
The film, which is helmed by director Rick Famuyiwa, who also directed “Dоpe” and “The Mandalorian,” will debut on YouTube and be accessible on Prime Video in a few regions on January 16. It’s the newest full-length documentary from WhatsApp. The short film “Naija Odyssey” from 2022 was previously available on the site. These movies look at things like personal identity, cultural exploration, and familial ties.
The moniker “Ugo” is derived from Antetokounmpo’s Nigerian birth nаme. The movie is a first-hand, first-person story of Antetokounmpo’s first trip back to his own country, when he is joined by his mother, who moved to Greece 35 years ago from Nigeria. By exploring their Nigerian customs and family history together, they deepen Antetokounmpo’s cultural ties. Many people rank Antetokounmpo, who plays for the Milwaukee Bucks, as one of the best power forwards in NBA history.
“My mother made sure we carried our Nigerian culture with us when we were growing up in Greece, but I was never fortunate enough to have a direct experience in my homeland,” Antetokounmpo said. “Thank goodness, WhatsApp made it possible for me to maintain my ties to my family and ancestors and to forge my own distinct history. One of my most fulfilling experiences has been being able to return to her birthplace and start a new Nigerian family. It has also just increased my pride in the many cultures that make up my identity. I’m honored to share my experience, which I believe will resonate with many people worldwide and demonstrate how, even when we’re far from home, each of us has a unique definition of “home.”
The documentary is the most recent installment in WhatsApp’s “There’s No One Like Us” video series, which also acts as a rallying cry for the platform’s users everywhere to embrace their unique selves. More than 2 billiоn people use WhatsApp.
Chief brand officer of WhatsApp Vivian Odior said, “Watching Giannis, with his mother no less, on his first journey, to connect with his homeland – Nigeria – in such a deeply personal manner evokes emotions shared by many of our billions of users on a daily basis.” “It serves as a potent reminder that the search for one’s identity and roots is a universal human experience that cultivates a bond that cuts across boundaries.”
Odior is descended from Nigeria, much like Antetokounmpo.
Famuyiwa said, “The first steps you take in your homeland are absolutely unforgettable.” They alter people’s lives. Working with WhatsApp to record that special moment for Giannis and tell a narrative that so many people can identify with—not just myself, but others all across the globe as well—was an honor.
A cooperation between WhatsApp and Antetokounmpo was announced during the NBA All-Star Game in February 2022. Important international Nigerian creatives make cameos in “Ugo,” including Yeni Kuti, the daughter of Fela Kuti, photographer Stephen Tayo, and businesswoman Grace Ladoja, the creator of Homecoming.