By Yinka Akanbi
‘The Man Died: Prison Notes’, a memoir written by Nobel laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, detailing his incarceration during the civil war, is set to be released as a feature film in July.
During Nigeria’s Civil War in the late 1960s, Soyinka’s outspoken criticisms of the military government’s action during the war landed him in prison for 22 months.
Two years after the war ended in 1972, the Nobel laureate published the memoir, a chronicle of his experiences in prison.
The memoir explored themes like survival, perseverance and resilience.
The film adaptation of ‘The Man Died’ is directed by respected playwright and scholar, Prof. Adam Amkpa, and it features Nollywood stars such as Wale Ojo (who played the Soyinka character), Chidi Mokeme, Dr. Sam Dede, Norbert Young, Francis Onwochei, and Edmond Enaibe.
Others are Segilola Ogidan, Simileoluwa Hassan, Christiana Oshunniyi, and Abraham Amkpa.
Written by Bode Asiyanbi and produced by Femi Odugbemi, the trailer for the film was unveiled last month during the iRep documentary film festival in Lagos. The full film is expected to premiere in July, to coincide with Soyinka’s 90th birthday.
In 2022, Soyinka’s ‘Death and the King’s Horseman’ — published in 1975 — was adapted by the late Biyi Bandele into a Netflix original titled ‘Elesin Oba: The King’s Horseman’.
Soyinka’s other notable works include ‘The Lion and the Jewel’ (1959); ‘The Trials of Brother Jero’ (1960); ‘Aké: The Years of Childhood’ (1981); and ‘You Must Set Forth at Dawn’ (2006).
