Lupita Nyong’o stars in yet another movie

By GEORGE ORIDO

As Kenyans pray and hope that  Lupita Nyong’o will bag an Oscar for her sterling role as Patsy in Steve McQueen’s 12 Years a Slave, the young actress is not resting on her laurels.

She is starring in yet another blockbuster flick, Non-Stop, which will premier in theatres on February 28.

Lupita (pictured) is acting alongside Liam Neeson and Julianne Moore in a thriller that is likely to keep the audience on the edge, if the trailer is anything to go by.

In the movie, she is one of the air hostesses in an Aqualantic Airliner six-hour flight from New York to London.

During the flight, midway across the Atlantic, US Air Marshall (Liam Neeson) receives a text message, “I am going to kill someone on this plane every 20 minutes until a USD 10 million payment is made by the airline to an offshore account.”

Since texting inflight is mainly within the safe platform, it means the sender is aboard.

“How do you kill someone in a crowded plane and get way with it?” wonders the pilot upon receiving the message as reported by the marshal.

Within no time, one of the passengers is discovered dead.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, we need every passenger to raise their hands above their head,” commands the marshall.

Confusion and anxiety builds up further when the pilot discloses that the account number provided is actually Neeson’s.

“The account number you gave us is in your name!” Neeson has not only to take care of the threat by the terrorists but also clear his name from any involvement.

“What? It doesn’t make sense. This is a set up. Something else is going on,” he explains curtly to Julianne as Lupita watches in utter disbelief.”

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the White House and Interpol swing into action and it is such a thriller as the crew struggles to avoid a catastrophic air crash in the Atlantic.

Lupita has been receiving plaudits from home and abroad since 12 Years a Slave was unveiled.

waiting to exhale

Importantly, the Hollywood star has inspired hundreds of Kenyans who would want to become superstars like her.

“For the Kenyan industry we have an icon in Lupita to look up to. If she can do it, it means we have a pool of talents here just waiting to exhale,” remarked Bob Nyanja the director of Kenya’s award winning titles Malooned and The rugged priest.

In a paid up advert in the Kenyan press the Kenya Film Commission said: “You are a wonderful inspiration, role model and pioneer to Kenyan actors and actresses. Good luck at the Oscars  2014-86 Academy Awards! May your effort, dedication and talent be rewarded. Here’s to many more Kenyans following in your footsteps. Africa celebrates you!”

The Kenyan Yale University drama graduate seems to be taking no chances and is certainly looking beyond the skies with this new movie.