Tuesday, 19th March 2024
To guardian.ng
Search
Arts  

Broadcast content across borders

By Shaibu Husseini
14 August 2022   |   2:42 am
When EbonyLife Films and their co-producers Netflix will present their latest epic film titled, ‘Elesin Oba, The King’s Horseman, at the Special Section category of the Toronto International Film Festival

Biyi Bamidele

Epic Film ‘Elesin Oba’ Premiere At Toronto Without Biyi Bandele
When EbonyLife Films and their co-producers Netflix will present their latest epic film titled, ‘Elesin Oba, The King’s Horseman, at the Special Section category of the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2022, the writer and director of the film Biyi Bandele will not be in attendance.

Biyi reportedly passed on in Lagos on Sunday, last week. Biyi’s daughter, Temi announced the sudden death of the filmmaker on the filmmaker’s Facebook page early on Monday. But the film, ‘Elesin Oba,’ that he helmed is based on real-life events in Nigeria in 1943. It is inspired by the true life events that happened in the Oyo Empire in the 1940s.

In Elesin Oba, the king’s chief horseman succumbs to the lure of beauty and sexual desire on the very evening he is set to die to fulfil his lifelong debt of ritual suicide to accompany the dead Alaafin to the realm of his ancestors. He derails from a very important generational and spiritual transaction. This sets in motion a series of catastrophic consequences.

The original Death and the King’s Horseman was a stage play written by Prof. Wole Soyinka who won Africa’s first Nobel Prize for Literature in 1986. CEO of EbonyLife Group and executive producer of the film said: “In filming Elesin Oba, we chose to stay close to the original work, which is already well-known globally as a great example of African drama. It is an honour to see this compelling introduction to African thought and tradition on screen. It is the interweaving of European and Yoruba ideals to depict universal themes of cultural responsibility.”

The film stars Odunlade Adekola, Shaffy Bello, Olawale ‘Brymo’ Olofooro, Deyemi Okanlawon, Omowunmi Dada, and veteran actors, Jide Kosoko and Kevin Ushi. Also featured are Jenny Stead, Mark Elderkin, Langley Kirkwood, and a special appearance by acting legend Taiwo Ajai-Lycett and Ajoke Silva.

Mary Harron’s Dalíland Is Closing Night Film for TIFF 2022
CEO of Toronto International Film Festival Cameron Bailey has announced that the film Dalíland will have its World Premiere as the closing night gala for the 47th Toronto International Film Festival on Saturday, September 17, at Roy Thomson Hall. 

Dalíland tells the story of the later years of the strange and fascinating marriage between the genius Salvador Dalí and his wife, Gala, as their seemingly unshakable bond begins to stress and fracture. Set in New York and Spain in 1973, the story is told through the eyes of James, a young assistant keen to make his name in the art world. He helped the eccentric and mercurial Dalí to prepare for a big gallery show. “We’re excited to premiere Mary Harron’s Dalíland at this year’s closing night film,” said Cameron Bailey, CEO, TIFF. “We couldn’t be prouder that Harron is a Canadian who has taken her singular explorations of iconic eccentrics to the world stage.

In portraying the wild relationship between Salvador Dalí and his partner, Gala, Harron continues to keep movie-going fresh.” Starring Sir Ben Kingsley, Barbara Sukowa, Christopher Briney, Rupert Graves, Alexander Beyer and Suki Waterhouse. Directed by Harron with a screenplay written by John C. Walsh. Produced by Edward R. Pressman of Pressman Film, David Sacks of David O. Sacks Productions, Daniel Brunt, Chris Curling of Zephyr Films, and Sam Pressman

Cairo International Film Festival To Honour Hungarian Film Legend Bela Tarr
CAIRO International Film Festival (CIFF) revealed that the world-renowned film director Béla Tarr will be receiving its prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award during the festival’s 44th edition (November 13 to 22).

Hussein Fahmy, President of CIFF, commented: “Béla Tarr is heralded as one of the cinematic world’s greatest innovators whose extensive repertoire includes several master piece films that largely contributed to the filmmaking world.

A legendary film pioneer, Tarr often highlighted humanitarian issues in his films using a unique cinematic philosophy, which has soon grew as a cinematic concept that is followed by other filmmakers worldwide. We are truly honoured at CIFF to grant him the Lifetime Achievement Award to celebrate his iconic contributions to the cinema.”

Amir Ramses, Festival Director of CIFF, also stated: “We are honoured to receive Béla Tarr during the upcoming edition of CIFF, where he will be mentoring at a workshop with a number of young Egyptian filmmakers as well as an open master class, making it a great opportunity for upcoming filmmakers to meet him.

The festival will also screen two of his recently 4K restored films, making CIFF one of the early platforms to screen Tarr’s newly restored film copies.” Béla Tarr is an award-winning film director, producer, and screenwriter. Born and raised in Hungary in 1955, Tarr graduated from the Budapest Theatre and Film Academy. He debuted his career with a series of documentary films that marked the early success of his filmmaking journey.

Tarr’s robust filmography include: “Családi tüzfészek” (1979), “Panelkapcsolat” (1982), and “Missing People” (2019), to name a few. Cairo International Film Festival is one of the oldest and most attended festivals in the Arab world and Africa.

Kullie Releases New Hit Song – Tale Time
THE multi-talented singer, rapper and songwriter, Chidiebube Cyprian Onyekelu, professionally known as Kullie has released a new hit titled: Tale Time.
 
His sophomore EP has four mind-blowing works – Boss bitch, Eliya, Pikolo, and Only fans (free style). Garnished with the evergreen beats of Bellz Sounds, Kullie showcases his awesome vocal prowess in all his works.
 
Born in the late 1990s and raised in the Coal City, Enugu State, his foray into music started at a very tender age, when he participated in several social and religious choral groups.

 
Considering his background, it is no surprise that Kullie is a versatile artiste, blending sounds from Afro beats, R’n’B and Trap among other genres.
 
The breakthrough smash track – Boss B*tch is a narration of his experiences with women which have contributed to his journey to stardom.
 
He said: “This music is to appreciate and advocate for all the selfless women in the world, keeping their grind and hustle 100 per cent real. Also, for their empowerment and betterment globally.
 
“This is a beautifully composed trap R’n’B sound, created by the highly prolific beat maker, Bellz Sounds, under the imprints of BIB Records. Just take your time and listen to this tune. You will definitely love it. Stream and download Boss B*itch by Kullie.”

In this article

0 Comments