“The Man Died” Returns to Nigeria for Festival Screenings

“The Man Died”, a feature film inspired by Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka’s memoir, is making its homecoming this month with screenings scheduled at major Nigerian film and literary festivals.Following a successful international run, the film will return to local audiences through prominent festival showings at the African International Film Festival (AFRIFF), the Lagos Book & Art Festival (LABAF), and the Eastern Nigeria International Film Festival (ENIFF).

On November 4, “The Man Died” will be screened at AFRIFF, held at The Palms Shopping Mall in Lekki, Lagos. AFRIFF, now in its 13th year, centers on the theme “Indigenous to Global: Cultural Wealth to Global Prosperity,” with screenings and events scheduled from November 3 to 9 across Lagos.

Featuring a stellar cast led by Wale Ojo, Sam Dede, and Norbert Young, the film is anticipated to draw significant attention at the festival.

LABAF, Africa’s largest cultural and literary event, will host the film on November 13 at the MUSON Centre in Lagos. This year, LABAF celebrates Soyinka’s legacy under the theme “The Soyinka Year” as part of its 26th edition, dubbed “BREAKOUT: Hope is a Stubborn Thing”. Known as “Africa’s Biggest Cultural Picnic,” LABAF annually features diverse programs that merge literature, visual arts, and film.

The film will also serve as the opening feature for ENIFF in Enugu on November 27. ENIFF 2024, exploring the theme “Reimagine,” focuses on storytelling’s role in reshaping social narratives, drawing from Eastern Nigeria’s deep-rooted connection with Nollywood.

Since its initial screening on July 12 in Lagos, marking Soyinka’s 90th birthday, “The Man Died” has toured internationally, appearing at venues such as the Africa Centre in London, New York University’s Labone Dialogues in Accra, and the Film Africa Festival in London.

While the film has yet to be widely released in cinemas or online, it has already garnered critical acclaim, capturing the interest of major festivals and global streaming platforms.

Produced by Zuri24 Media and directed by Nigerian-American filmmaker Awam Amkpa, “The Man Died” recounts Soyinka’s 27-month imprisonment in 1967. During his confinement, Soyinka sought a truce between Biafra and the Nigerian government to foster a peaceful resolution to the civil war. Amkpa’s direction brings to life Soyinka’s experience of isolation, resilience, and mental endurance under brutal conditions.

The film’s producer, Femi Odugbemi, an accomplished filmmaker and founder of Zuri24 Media, has an extensive background in storytelling across various media, with credits including “Tinsel”, “Battleground”, and numerous documentaries. Odugbemi’s contributions to African cinema also include co-founding the iREPRESENT International Documentary Film Festival.

Through this series of screenings, the film’s promoters, the Foundation for the Promotion of Documentary Films in Africa (iREP), aim to engage educational institutions and festival audiences alike, building anticipation for its eventual theatrical and online release.