There’s a new movie coming out in July to celebrate the 90th birthday of famous Nigerian writer Wole Soyinka. The movie is called “The Man Died.” It’s based on Soyinka’s book about his experiences as a political prisoner during the Nigerian Civil War in the late 1960s.
The movie stars Nollywood actor Wale Ojo as Wole Soyinka. Awam Amkpa directed the film and announced the July release date on Instagram on May 2.
Wole Soyinka wrote the book, which is a memoir, in 1972, just two years after the war ended.
He’s a very important figure in African literature. He won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1986, making him the first Sub-Saharan African to receive the award. Last year, on Soyinka’s 89th birthday, Wale Ojo called him a “rare icon.”
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The film adaptation of “The Man Died” boasts a stellar cast of Nollywood luminaries. They include actors like Chidi Mokeme, Sam Dede, Norbert Young, Francis Onwochei, Edmond Enabe, and Segilola Ogidan.
Additionally, the ensemble features rising talents. They include Simileoluwa Hassan, Christiana Oshunniyi, and the newcomer Abraham Amkpa, each of whom brings their unique flair to the project. Filmmaker Femi Odugbemi spearheaded the production, while writer Bode Asiyanbi penned the screenplay.
Scheduled for release in July, the film’s premiere will coincide with the 90th birthday celebration of the esteemed Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka, whose literary legacy is the inspiration for the cinematic adaptation. This timely release promises to honour Soyinka’s seminal work and celebrate his enduring influence on literature and culture.
“The Man Died” is poised to follow in the footsteps of Soyinka’s other notable works that have been adapted for the screen. This includes “Death and the King’s Horseman,” which was recently brought to life in the Netflix film “Elesin Oba, The King’s Horseman.”
Furthermore, the stellar cast includes Odunlade Adekola, Shaffy Bello, Deyemi Okanlawon, Omowunmi Dada, and Jide Kosoko. The adaptation garnered widespread acclaim for its faithful interpretation of Soyinka’s powerful narrative.
Beyond the cinema, Soyinka’s literary works continue to captivate audiences worldwide. Timeless classics such as “The Lion and the Jewel,” “The Trials of Brother Jero,” “Aké: The Years of Childhood,” and “You Must Set Forth at Dawn.” Each of these works showcases Soyinka’s unparalleled talent for weaving tales that explore themes of identity, tradition, and societal transformation.
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