The Man Died, an adaptation of Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka’s prison memoirs, is making significant waves on the international film circuit with its latest stop at the prestigious Carthage Film Festival in Tunisia, before heading to Egypt’s Luxor International Film Festival in January.
The award-winning Nigerian feature film, which chronicles Soyinka’s harrowing 27-month imprisonment during Nigeria’s civil war, received multiple screenings at the 2024 Carthage Film Festival from December 14-21. The film was showcased at three prominent venues: L’Opera Cinema, ABC, and Amilcar, drawing diverse audiences from both the international film community and local cinephiles.
The Carthage Film Festival, established in 1966, stands as one of the world’s oldest film festivals and has long been celebrated for its dedication to promoting African and Arab cinema. Under the direction of Sonia Chamkhi since 2022, the festival continues its tradition of fostering cultural exchange through cinema, with its coveted Golden Tanit prize named after the ancient Carthaginian goddess.
The Man Died has already garnered significant acclaim since its special premiere in Lagos earlier this year, which coincided with Soyinka’s 90th birthday celebrations. The film recently secured the Best Screenplay Award at the 2024 African International Film Festival (AFRIFF) and the Best Audience Choice Award at the Eastern Nigeria International Film Festival (ENIFF).
The film boasts an impressive international creative team, with screenplay by UK-based Bode Asiyanbi, direction by Nigerian-American professor Awam Amkpa, and production by acclaimed Nigerian filmmaker Femi Odugbemi’s Zuri24 Media. The cast features a stellar ensemble of Nigerian talent, including Wale Ojo as Wole Soyinka, alongside Sam Dede, Norbert Young, and Francis Onwochei, complemented by international actors Christiana Oshunniyi and Abraham Awam-Amkpa.
Following its Tunisia screenings, the film’s global journey continues with scheduled appearances at major international festivals, including the Jo’Burg Film Festival in South Africa, the African Film Festival in New York and FESPACO in Burkina Faso. Several prestigious educational institutions, including Harvard University and Oxford University, are also considering special screenings.
The film’s narrative delves deep into Soyinka’s personal account of his imprisonment in 1967, when he attempted to broker peace between Biafra and the federal government. Through powerful storytelling, it captures his psychological journey of survival, documenting how he maintained his sanity by retreating into his mind and secretly recording his experiences on smuggled paper.
Odugbemi, whose 25-year career spans numerous successful television series and documentaries, has already secured interest from multiple global streaming platforms and international distributors. The film’s success marks another milestone in the growing international recognition of Nigerian cinema and its capacity to tell compelling stories that resonate with global audiences.
As The Man Died continues its festival circuit, it not only preserves an important chapter of Nigerian history but also showcases the evolving sophistication of African cinema on the world stage. The film’s journey from Lagos to Tunisia, and soon to Egypt, demonstrates the universal appeal of stories that explore themes of resilience, justice, and the power of the human spirit.
