By Shaibu Husseini
08 February 2025 |
2:28 am
It was the completed filmmaker and member of The Academy of Movement Image Arts and Sciences, Femi Odugbemi, who first broke the cheery information on his social media handles. The information was that The Man Died, the movie that takes audiences by means of Wole Soyinka
It was the completed filmmaker and member of The Academy of Movement Image Arts and Sciences, Femi Odugbemi, who first broke the cheery information on his social media handles. The information was that The Man Died, the movie that takes audiences by means of Wole Soyinka’s harrowing 27 months of imprisonment throughout Nigeria’s civil warfare had acquired the Radwan Elkashef award for Greatest Movie that tackles an vital situation on the prestigious Luxor Worldwide Movie Competition, which closed on January 16, in Luxor. Egypt. The award, which Odugbemi acquired on behalf of the Director of the movie, Awam Amkpa, was named after the late Egyptian movie director, Radwan Elkashef. “I acquired the award on behalf of our unbelievable Director, Amkpa, and our superb solid and crew who sacrificed a lot to convey this challenge to life.” Odugbemi wrote as he shared pictures of the award and the crew with festivaliers in Luxor. Odugbemi added, “we after all devoted this prize to the inspiring, brave and constant life work of the incomparable Prof. Wole Soyinka.”
Screened on January 12 within the Large Corridor of the distinguished Jolie Ville-The Nile, situated in Luxor, Egypt, a metropolis famously often known as the world’s best open-air museum’. The screening marks a major second within the pageant’s 14th version. First screened in Lagos, in July 2024, to mark Soyinka’s ninetieth birthday anniversary, The Man Died featured within the competitors part with 10 different movies from 9 international locations, together with Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria, Senegal, Cameroon, Togo, Rwanda and Madagascar.
Impressed by Soyinka’s memoir of his 22 months in jail throughout the Nigerian civil warfare, which bears the identical title, The Man Died takes audiences by means of Soyinka’s harrowing 27 months of imprisonment throughout Nigeria’s civil warfare. The movie explores Soyinka’s private journey of survival and introspection whereas being detained by the Nigerian authorities. It delves into his psychological and emotional turmoil as he endured isolation and torture, discovering solace solely in his ideas and written phrases. Soyinka, who sought peace between Biafra and the Nigerian authorities, is framed for alleged sedition following his go to to Biafran chief Emeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu. His story turns into a robust exploration of the resilience of the human spirit within the face of political oppression.
The movie contains a robust solid, with Wale Ojo portraying Wole Soyinka and Sam Dede enjoying his chief interrogator, Yisa. It captures Soyinka’s psychological battle and the broader context of Nigerias political panorama throughout the Sixties.
Amkpa, a Nigerian-American director, mirrored on the artistic course of behind The Man Died, emphasising the significance of authenticity in telling Soyinka’s story.
Amkpa famous that the Nollywood business has advanced considerably, highlighting the technical progress that now defines Nigerian cinema.Although but to be formally launched to the theatre, the well-made movie has continued its run of pageant circuits and academic establishments, as programmed by the promoters, the Basis for the Promotion of Documentary Movies in Africa, FPDFA, in any other case often known as the iREPRESENT Worldwide Documentary Movie Discussion board, iREP.
The screenings are a part of the strategic agenda to make the movie register its influence within the two most vital goal audiences Competition circuits and Academic establishments earlier than it hits the business part theatre screening and on-line streaming,in response to the iREP directorate.
Produced by Zuri 24 Media, the movie which has additionally been screened at numerous prestigious worldwide venues, together with the Streamfest on the Labone Dialogues in Accra, Ghana, is ready to proceed making its rounds in outstanding tutorial establishments worldwide. Notable screenings are scheduled for Florence, Italy, Abu Dhabi, South Africa, and at establishments like Harvard College, Oxford College, and Ithaca School.
The movie continues to obtain essential acclaim and is being reviewed by main worldwide movie festivals equivalent to Berlinale in Germany, the African Movie Competition in New York, and FESPACO in Burkina Faso. Additionally it is into consideration by main international streaming platforms and distribution channels, additional solidifying its rising worldwide influence.
The 14th Luxor African Movie Competition, which ran between January 9 and 14, 2025, centred on the theme African Cinema: Full Moon 14, which celebrates the maturation of the business, which has gained worldwide recognition. The pageant’s visible paintings, created by Mohamed Abla, depicts Africa on a magical journey towards a full moon, symbolising the artistic heights African filmmakers have reached.
The picture of the total moon displays a way of completeness in African cinema, which continues to interrupt limitations and rise past earlier limits. Competition president Sayed Fouad connects the theme to Egypt’s wealthy cultural historical past, explaining that the total moon 14represents the business’s evolution.
In keeping with him, African cinema is now firmly established as a robust international power. Competition Director Azza Elhousseiny attracts a parallel between house exploration and African filmmaking, emphasizing how the digital revolution serves as a car for African narratives to achieve a worldwide viewers.
Supported by Egyptian ministries and cultural establishments, the pageant positions Luxor as a hub for African cinematic achievements. The pageant additionally showcases the expertise and artistry of filmmakers from the continent.
