In what appears to be a long overdue development, Chinua Achebe’s African trilogy novels — novels ‘Things Fall Apart‘, ‘No Longer at Ease’ and ‘Arrow of God‘ — are being adapted for the screen.
A statement by the late literati’s family disclosed that the family would work with consultants Dayo Ogunyemi of 234 media and Joe Seldner of Seldner Media to bring the novels to life on screen.
“A television series combines the visual appeal of the film with the ability to tell stories overextended programming. This makes it possible to faithfully present the African trilogy’s epic, multi-generational sweep on-screen to a global audience for the first time. The series will portray decades of wrenching social change, from the end of the 19th century in Things Fall Apart through the emerging 20th century in Arrow of God and the mid-20th pre-independence century in No Longer at Ease,” the statement read in part.
Considered one of the world’s greatest novels ever written, Achebe’s ‘Things Fall Apart’ largely charted a new course in African literature. The novel has since sold in tens of millions of copies and translated into more than 60 languages all over the world. The follow-up novels which sum up the trilogy have also been met with critical acclaim.
“We believe this moment makes the message of my husband’s work urgent, especially for Millennials and Generation Z who are challenging systemic racism and driving the new civil rights movement. Chinua Achebe’s recognition and centering of these issues from an African perspective make his stories more vital than ever,” said Christie Achebe, wife of the late novelist.
Similarly, Chidi Chike Achebe, a son of the late novelist, while speaking about the project, revealed that its team is made of top Hollywood geniuses and Asians.
He added that his siblings, who are all academics with degrees ranging from History to Africana studies, would also be involved.
