Kongi's Harvest (film)
| Kongi's Harvest | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Ossie Davis |
| Produced by |
Ola Balogun Francis Oladele |
| Written by | Wole Soyinka |
| Starring |
|
| Music by | Chris McGregor |
| Cinematography | Åke Dahlqvist |
| Edited by | Jerry Gränsman |
Production company |
Calpenny Nigeria Ltd |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 85 minutes |
| Country | Nigeria |
| Language | English |
Kongi's Harvest is a 1970 Nigerian film directed by Ossie Davis, from a screenplay by Wole Soyinka adapted from his 1965 play by the same name.[1][2] Soyinka also starred in the leading role as the dictator of an African nation.
Production
The film was shot in Nigeria.[3][4] It was the first production by a Nigerian indigenous company whose aim was to change perceptions about the country and the African continent.[5][6]
Plot
President Kongi (Wole Soyinka), the dictator of an African developing nation, is trying to modernize his nation after deposing King Oba Danlola (Rasidi Onikoyi). The different tribes are resisting unification, so he tries to reach his goal by any means necessary, including forcing government officials to wear traditional African outfits and seeking advice from the man he deposed. He demands tribute from Danlola in the form of a yam, an important food in the culture. Danlola's former lover Segi brings the dictator the head of her father as sacrifice.
Cast
- Wole Soyinka as President Kongi
- Rasidi Onikoyi as King Oba Danlola
- Femi Johnson as Organizing Secretary
- Nina Baden-Semper as Segi
- Orlando Martins as Dr. Gbenga
- Dapo Adelugba as Daodu
References
- ↑ Gugler, Josef (1997). "Wole Soyinka's Kongi's Harvest from stage to screen: Four endings to tyranny", Canadian Journal of African Studies, Vol. 31, No. 1, 1997.
- ↑ Gugler, Josef (1999). "African Writing Projected onto the Screen: Sambizanga, Xala, and Kongi's Harvest", African Studies Review, Vol. 42, No. 1, April 1999.
- ↑ Davis, Ossie (20 September 1970). Movies; "When Is a Camera a Weapon? The Camera As Weapon", The New York Times.
- ↑ Rosenblum, Mort (4 April 1970). "Black Africa's First Full-Sized Movie", Los Angeles Times.
- ↑ Bolwell, Edwin (15 July 1967). "Tarzan's Africa may be up a tree; U.S.-Nigerian Film Company Would Change Image", The New York Times.
- ↑ Bunce, Alan (1 September 1970). "'There is a constant thread in all I've done'", The Christian Science Monitor.