WhatsApp Releases First Short Film Starring NBA Star Giannis Antetokounmpo

WhatsApp will release its first film featuring NBA star Giannis Antetokounmpo front and center later this month.

movie – title naija odyssey – Running for 12 minutes, Antetokounmpo “tells his origin story of many origins, reconciling his roots, place of birth and cross-cultural affiliation,” according to the official description.

The Milwaukee Bucks star, former MVP, 2021 NBA champion and Finals MVP was born in Greece to Nigerian parents. This content is part of the endorsement agreement he signed with his WhatsApp back in February.

The film is ultimately narrative-driven branded content that tells a story that is lesser known, even in the NBA community.

“”naija odysseyVivian Odior, Head of Global Marketing at WhatsApp, said: “As you navigate relationships, identities and even adversity, WhatsApp is there to make it possible. embrace all sides of you By connecting you with the people who matter most. “

The story was told by both Antetokounmpo and his mother Veronica, and was edited for film editing by the 2021 Oscar winner. metal sound, Mikkel EG Nielsen. Nono Ayuso and Rodrigo Inada are listed as filmmakers on the project, and it was produced by New York-based creative agency Translation. The story is loosely based on the famous Greek poem “Odyssey”, both from a classical point of view and from a business point of view. WhatsApp rocks with accusations Helping spread disinformation, mainly during the pandemic and through the election process. A short piece works against that position.

WhatsApp now boasts 2 billion monthly usersThe film will be released on September 21st on the company’s YouTube channel, Amazon Prime Video and YouTube.