Synopsis

Akinwande Oluwole Soyinka—Wole Soyinka to the world—is one of Nigeria’s and Africa’s treasures. A novelist, poet and playwright, he won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1986, the first African to be so honoured. Throughout his long, chequered career Soyinka has never backed down from speaking truth to power, and using his writer’s gifts to take aim at oppression, corruption and the legacy of colonialism and slavery. This profile presents the many sides of Soyinka, from writer to activist to revolutionary. A number of interviewees including fellow writers, members of his family as well as Soyinka himself testify to his restless, inquisitive spirit, and his desire for knowledge for the betterment of country and continent. Stylized recreations of pivotal moments from his career round out this celebration of a true literary lion.

Details

(52mins) | Nigeria, South Africa

Language:

English

Production

Directors:

Akin Omoyoso

Akin Omoyoso is a Nigerian-born South African actor, writer, producer and filmmaker. After directing a series of short films he made his first feature, God is African, in 2003. The short Rifle Road, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, followed in 2005. Gathering the Scattered Cousins, documentary tribute to his late mother, debuted 2006. His acting credits include include the films Lord of War (2005) and Blood Diamond (2006).