Best of Nigeria’s
literary adaptations into movies
A great source of
story lines for the big screen, literary adaptations for movies is a goldmine
many movie makers in Nigeria are yet to tap into. Unlike in Hollywood, where
movies such as Harry Porter, The Lord of the Rings, The Godfather and so many
other blockbusters were adapted from novels, only few producers in Nigeria know
about this unique connection. Doyin Adeoye writes on some of the achievements
of the literary works adapted into movies in the Nigerian film industry.
Half
of a Yellow Sun
The second novel to be written by author, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Half of a
Yellow Sun was published in 2006 and since then, it has gained an international
recognition. The 488-page book tells the story of the Biafran War in such an
astonishing way that it earned the writer the 2007 Orange Prize for Fiction, an
award given annually for the best original full-length novel written by a woman
in English.
Produced by Andrea
Calderwood, the film adaptation which was announced in 2008, was playwright and
directed by Biyi Bandele and with the same title, the film starred actors like
Chiwetel Ejoifor, Genevieve Nnaji, Oc Ukeje, Onyeka Onwenu, Hakeem Kae-Kazim,
Thandie Newton and others. The film was premiered at the Toronto Film
International Festival last year and despite the initial issues surrounding in
Nigeria, the film is set to be premiered soon.
Oleku
For anyone who had read Professor Akinwumi Isola’s novel; Oleku, which was
published in 1974, they would admit that the film adaptation, also with the
same title and produced by veteran filmmaker, Tunde Kelani, did justice to the
plots, storyline and comical relief the novel portrayed.
Set in the city of
Ibadan, the film adaptation tells the story from the oldies, portraying Yemi
Shodimu as Ajani, a final year student of the University of Ibadan, who is on a
quest for a wife.
Widely accepted by many
for its comic relief and role interpretations by the actors, it was a movie
that gave many new generation youths the opportunity to connect with the past,
while the older ones had a good laugh remembering the good old days.
Things
Fall Apart
It would come as a surprise if no one had ever tapped into the beautiful works
of prestigious writer, the late Chinua Achebe. Things Fall Apart, which was
published in 1958. the novel talks about the colonial nations of Africa. And
the book with its sequel; No Longer At Ease, which was published in 1960, were
made into a movie title Bullfrog In The Sun in 1972.
Directed by West German,
Hansjurgen Pohland and co-produced by Francis Oladele, the film was a
combination of Nigerian, West German and American production. Following the
same storyline, Bullfrog In The Sun featured the likes of Uganda’s Elizabeth
Toro and Senegalese/British actor, Johnny Sekka, among others. The movie was
later distributed as Things Fall Apart. The Nigerian Television Authority
(NTA), also adapted Things Fall Apart into a 13-epsiode TV series in 1986.
Kongi’s
Harvest
A classic from Wole Soyinka, the first African to win the Nobel Prize for
Literature, the play, Kongi’s Harvest was published in 1965 and premiered in
Dakar, Senegal at the First Negro Arts Festival in April 1966.
The book is based on the
story of President Kongi, a dictator of an African nation, who is trying to
modernise his nation. The film adaptation was made in 1973 in the same name,
and it was directed by American Ossie Davis, while Wole Soyinka himself starred
in the leading role; King Kongi. The movie was shot in Nigeria, and it also
featured the likes of Rasidi Onikoyi, Orlando Martins, Femi Johnson and Nina
Baden-Semper, among others.
Kuye
For those who schooled in the late 1960s into the early 70s, the book, which
was written by Joseph Folahan Odunjo was one many of them, if not all, can
vividly recall the details the storyline portrays.
From the author of the
Alawiye series, Kuye has been performed on many stages that one could not begin
to count. The book was adapted into a play which was aired on the TV network
back in the 70s and of recently, there have been different interpretations from
different filmmakers.
Dazzling
mirage
The third Main Frame Films on the list, Tunde Kelani is probably the only
Nigerian film maker than appreciates the beauty of literary works and expresses
it through the film productions.
His other adaptations
include the likes of Koseegbe, Thunderbolt (Magun), The Narrow Path, The White
Handkerchief and others.
Dazzling mirage was
written by Olayinka Abimbola Egbokhare in 2007 and adapted for the screen by
Ade Solanke For Main Frame Films. Just like the novel, the film portrays a
young lady suffering from the Sickle Cell disease, but despite the societal
stigma, she strives to be successful in the society as a mother as well as a
wife.
The trailer for the
movie which featured the likes of Kunle Afolayan, Tosin Bucknor, Ajayi Lycett,
Bimbo Manuel and others, was recently released and the full movie is expected
to be premiered later in the years.
The
Perfect Church
Produced by Wale Adenuga Productions in 2011, the movie just like the book also
titled, “The Perfect Church”, preaches that it is never too late for anyone to
repent and be saved. Written by Ebi Akpeti in 2010, the film adaptation was
interpreted by the likes of Ramsey Noah, who played a pastor, Funke Akindele as
the choir leader and Olu Jacobs as a bishop.
Directed by Bimbo
Adebajo, The Perfect Church tells the story of a church with perfect reputation
and holy people with unholy secrets. It premiered at the Silverbird Galleria,
Lagos in 2011.
Adapted from The Nigerian Tribune (Nigeria’s Most
Informative Newspaper)
