Best of Nigeria’s literary adaptations into movies

A great source of storylines for the big screen, literary adaptations for movies is a goldmine many movie makers in Nigeria are yet to tap into. Unlike in Hollywood, where movies such as Harry Porter, The Lord of the Rings, The Godfather and so many other blockbusters were adapted from novels, only few producers in Nigeria know about this unique connection. DOYIN ADEOYE writes on some of the achievements of the literary works adapted into movies in the Nigerian film industry.
Half of a Yellow Sun
The second novel to be written by author, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Half of a Yellow Sun was published in 2006 and since then, it has gained an international recognition. The 488-page book tells the story of the Biafran War in such an astonishing way that it earned the writer the 2007 Orange Prize for Fiction, an award given annually for the best original full-length novel written by a woman in English.

Produced by Andrea Calderwood, the film adaptation which was announced in 2008, was playwright and directed by Biyi Bandele and with the same title, the film starred actors like Chiwetel Ejoifor, Genevieve Nnaji, Oc Ukeje, Onyeka Onwenu, Hakeem Kae-Kazim, Thandie Newton and others. The film was premiered at the Toronto Film International Festival last year and despite the initial issues surrounding in Nigeria, the film is set to be premiered soon.
Oleku
For anyone who had read Professor Akinwumi Isola’s novel; Oleku, which was published in 1974, they would admit that the film adaptation, also with the same title and produced by veteran filmmaker, Tunde Kelani, did justice to the plots, storyline and comical relief the novel portrayed.
Set in the city of Ibadan, the film adaptation tells the story from the oldies, portraying Yemi Shodimu as Ajani, a final year student of the University of Ibadan, who is on a quest for a wife.
Widely accepted by many for its comic relief and role interpretations by the actors, it was a movie that gave many new generation youths the opportunity to connect with the past, while the older ones had a good laugh remembering the good old days.
Things Fall Apart
It would come as a surprise if no one had ever tapped into the beautiful works of prestigious writer, the late Chinua Achebe. Things Fall Apart, which was published in 1958. the novel talks about the colonial nations of Africa. And the book with its sequel; No Longer At Ease, which was published in 1960, were made into a movie title Bullfrog In The Sun in 1972.
Directed by West German, Hansjurgen Pohland and co-produced by Francis Oladele, the film was a combination of Nigerian, West German and American production. Following the same storyline, Bullfrog In The Sun featured the likes of Uganda’s Elizabeth Toro and Senegalese/British actor, Johnny Sekka, among others. The movie was later distributed as Things Fall Apart. The Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), also adapted Things Fall Apart into a 13-epsiode TV series in 1986.
Kongi’s Harvest
A classic from Wole Soyinka, the first African to win the Nobel Prize for Literature, the play, Kongi’s Harvest was published in 1965 and premiered in Dakar, Senegal at the First Negro Arts Festival in April 1966.
The book is based on the story of President Kongi, a dictator of an African nation, who is trying to modernise his nation. The film adaptation was made in 1973 in the same name, and it was directed by American Ossie Davis, while Wole Soyinka himself starred in the leading role; King Kongi. The movie was shot in Nigeria, and it also featured the likes of Rasidi Onikoyi, Orlando Martins, Femi Johnson and Nina Baden-Semper, among others.
Kuye
For those who schooled in the late 1960s into the early 70s, the book, which was written by Joseph Folahan Odunjo was one many of them, if not all, can vividly recall the details the storyline portrays.
From the author of the Alawiye series, Kuye has been performed on many stages that one could not begin to count. The book was adapted into a play which was aired on the TV network back in the 70s and of recently, there have been different interpretations from different filmmakers.
Dazzling mirage
The third Main Frame Films on the list, Tunde Kelani is probably the only Nigerian film maker than appreciates the beauty of literary works and expresses it through the film productions.
His other adaptations include the likes of Koseegbe, Thunderbolt (Magun), The Narrow Path, The White Handkerchief and others.
Dazzling mirage was written by Olayinka Abimbola Egbokhare in 2007 and adapted for the screen by Ade Solanke For Main Frame Films. Just like the novel, the film portrays a young lady suffering from the Sickle Cell disease, but despite the societal stigma, she strives to be successful in the society as a mother as well as a wife.
The trailer for the movie which featured the likes of Kunle Afolayan, Tosin Bucknor, Ajayi Lycett, Bimbo Manuel and others, was recently released and the full movie is expected to be premiered later in the years.
The Perfect Church
Produced by Wale Adenuga Productions in 2011, the movie just like the book also titled, “The Perfect Church”, preaches that it is never too late for anyone to repent and be saved. Written by Ebi Akpeti in 2010, the film adaptation was interpreted by the likes of Ramsey Noah, who played a pastor, Funke Akindele as the choir leader and Olu Jacobs as a bishop.
Directed by Bimbo Adebajo, The Perfect Church tells the story of a church with perfect reputation and holy people with unholy secrets. It premiered at the Silverbird Galleria, Lagos in 2011.