Tag Archives: Wale Ojo

Soyinka autobiography adapted as film

Nigerian playwright, novelist and poet Wole Soyinka’s autobiography, The Man Died: Prison Notes of Wole Soyinka, is being adapted for the big screen.

Wole Soyinka

First published in 1972, the book explores Soyinka’s experiences in prison during the Nigerian Civil War, after his vocal opposition to the military government’s actions resulted in a 22-month imprisonment. Delving into his harrowing experiences behind bars, it explores themes of survival, perseverance and resilience.

The film adaptation is being produced by Femi Odugbemi and directed by Awam Amkpa. The cast is led by British-Nigerian actor Wale Ojo – best known for movies The Hard Case (1995) and Phone Swap (2012) – playing the role of Soyinka.

Rounding out the cast are Chidi Mokeme, Sam Dede, Norbert Young, Francis Onwochei, Edmond Enabe, Segilola Ogidan, Simileoluwa Hassan and Christiana Oshunniyi.

Ojo said: “Ladies and gentlemen I present to you The Man Died. It was an absolute honour to portray one of the greatest figures in literature that Nigeria has ever produced, as well as a man who has made a huge impact upon the politics and people of his generation.”

The film is being produced by Odugbemi’s Lagos-based production company Zuri24 Media. It will premiere in cinemas this July to coincide with Soyinka’s 90th birthday.

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Wale Ojo cast in Amazon’s Breath of Life

British-Nigerian actor Wale Ojo (Black Earth Rising, Blood Sisters) has been cast in the lead role in Amazon Prime Video’s first Nigerian original title, Breath of Life.

Wale Ojo

The news is coming soon after the US-owned streamer commissioned Lagos-based Nemsia Films for a slate of movies that would boost its offering of African content.

Breath of Life takes place in 1950s Nigeria and tells the story of a man who has lost his sense of purpose until an encounter with a young man changes his life and destiny.

The movie is written and directed by Nemsia co-founder BB Sasore and produced by Eku Edewor. It will be shot in Lagos, Nigeria and is set to be released on Amazon Prime Video next year.

The other two films to come from the Amazon deal will be announced later this year.

Nemsia was established by Sasore and Derin Adeyokunnu in 2013 and since then has created films such as God Calling (2018) as well as Africa Magic drama series Before 30 and Netflix documentary Journey of an African Colony.

“We’re starting an exciting new journey! A three-picture deal with [Amazon] Prime Video kicking off with our first film Breath of Life, which is written and will be directed by co-founder BB Sasore and produced by Eku Edewor,” announced the media company on Instagram.

“This slate deal supports our goal to showcase Nollywood at its best, by telling authentic home-grown stories in a range of genres to Prime Video customers around the world,” said Ayanna Lonian, director of content acquisition and head of worldwide major studio licensing strategy at Amazon Prime Video.

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