Kedu,
Its been a good week for Proud to be African Clothing, Half
of a Yellow Sun finally went on general release
with several sold out previews
and a gala première and directors Q&A. This Easter week sees plays, music,
Business expos, spoken word, movies and much more.
Future events to look out for are the BTWSC Look How Far We’ve
Come Conference on 8th May, tickets, background, stalls and
literature display space are all available here.
Half of a Yellow Sun Review
I guess it is finally time to share my review the film, a task have
been putting off. I should obviously declare my interests prior to starting, I
am Nigerian, Igbo, in one of my lives an amateur military historian of post
1945 conflicts of which the Nigerian Civil War is one, a great fan of the book
Half of a Yellow Sun, its author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie who I consider to be a
voice, if not the leading Nigerian voice of my generation, director Biyi
Bandele who I discovered through his book Burma Boy (which is also crying out to be a film) and lead actor Chiwetel Ejiofor about whom I
really don’t need to say much- if you don't know ask somebody.
The story for those unfamiliar with the book is about 2
sisters from a wealthy Nigerian family who at Nigeria’s independence set out on
very different romantic paths, the cool, distant, sophisticated Kainene (Anika Noni
Rose) begins a relationship with Richard (Joseph Mawle) an English writer whilst living the
luxurious life of the Nigerian upper class while Olanna (Thandie
Newton) settles down with a radical University lecturer Odenigbo (Chiwetel Ejiofor) in the sleepy, comfortable university town of
Nsukka. Olanna and Odenigbo’s idyllic life is interrupted by Odenigbo’s mother- portrayed brilliantly by Onyeka Onwenu (the finest Nigerian singer of the 1980’s
metamorphed into a Nollywood actress) who through machinations brings about a
rupture that spreads across both sisters relationships, this domestic discord
is matched by the even greater crisis rocking the country first with a coup
against the corrupt National Government and then a counter coup and subsequent massacres
of Eastern Nigerian’s (mainly Igbo's) who were ‘blamed’ for the first coup. The
massacres lead to the secession of the Eastern part of Nigeria as an
independent country the Republic of Biafra. Whilst this is happening a baby is
born and Olanna and Odenigbo flee repeatedly from the advancing Federal troops,
sinking deeper and deeper into penury, experiencing the loss and deprivations
of war.
It is a very typical story on many levels.
The story of war
is typical of Eastern Nigerians of that (my parents) generation; a story of
massacred relatives, abandoned property, fleeing, always fleeing, euphoria, defeat, refugees, hunger, death, fear
and loss but also of life, love, belief and hope.
It is a very Nigerian story on the surface with all the typical
ingredients of mismatched lovers, scheming mother, unfaithful men and wronged heartbroken
women, but it also tells the story of Nigerian strength and resilience in the
face of adversity. The beauty of the book is that it told these very typical stories
in an accessible way, with beautiful prose and deep complex characters.
There are 3 main narrators or characters in the book; Ugwu
the houseboy, Richard and Olanna. There are those (i.e. me) who believe it is
Ugwu’s story; believing that he represents the Nigerian dream and nightmare in
extremis, the curse of poverty and the redemptive nature of education, a belief
that is almost religious in its acceptance in Nigeria, it is through him many
of the books most touching conversations take place and through his eyes the horror
of war and the ambiguous nature of evil is expressed. It is also through Ugwu
that one of the most interesting plot twists and endings emerges. Others believe
it is Richards’s story, the contemplative foreigner, an outsider who comes to
love the land, people and a particular person and can thus look on the
situation with the fierce, fanatic loyalty of a convert but also the
uncomfortable distance of 'the other'. Or finally Olanna’s story, the poor
little rich girl, too good, too beautiful and too naive for her own good,
gradually discovering her strength as others lose theirs and the world collapses
around her. A running metaphor for the inner strength of Nigerian women which is not
just true but unfortunately an everyday experience in past and present Nigeria.
Half of a Yellow Sun is thus an extremely difficult book to
make into a film, it has so many layers, characters, sub, side and corner
corner plots that there is no way all of these can be fit into a feature film. It
is not chronological. Thus the film seeks to tell the story in a linear manner
using Olanna as the focus.
I will start with the negatives, so I can get them out of
the way. I think Thandie Newton should have been Kainene and Annika Noni Rose; Olanna- whether Rose’s British accent could have sustained the entire movie we don’t
know but I think Newton fit the slim, cold, complex and rigid Kainene much
better, while Rose actually looks like a typical voluptuous, sensuous and warm
Igbo girl. I understand the reasons for the casting but it would been better
swapped round.
Ugwu (played by John Boyega) is rather criminally underused, a single scene
of him after conscription would have been an opportunity to give a perspective
of life for Biafran soldiers and also allowed Boyega to have more dialogue and
range than ‘Yes ma, No sah’. Very little is shown of the war itself and the
violence that precedes it is covered in two fairly crucial scenes, obviously war scenes are expensive but they are a
fundamental part of the book. However the most irritating part is the ending,
there were so many endings in the book, that could have been used which not only
neatly tied up the story but also gave a certain redemptive or emotive feel to it
which were not used.
To be honest virtually all the other negatives are
understandable and can be explained away by budget, time or casting issues but
the abrupt ending is curious.
Ejiofor delivers as always a calm perfect performance, embodying
Odenigbo down to the beard and mannerisms, the book doesn't develop Odenigbo much,
making Ejiofor wring all he can from the role. For those who only discovered
this fine actor with 12 Years a Slave,
please seek out his earlier films (Dirty
Pretty Things, GMT, Serenity, Children of Men, 4 Brothers etc) or else wait
until he is on stage again (Othello, A Season
in Congo etc). If he has not got an Oscar in the next 2 years something is
massively wrong. Newton despite the controversy of her casting takes to her
role well, Rose carries off Kainene bringing in the sarcastic, dry wit much better towards the end with
good lines and a dignified poise.
The stand out
performances are from Onyeka Onwenu as the scheming Mama a role she plays with
such relish that one must genuinely fear for her daughters in law, the gift
however is not so much in her being able to convey it but more in the timing
and delivery of her lines, the phrases and mannerisms and implacability of her
resolve are all very Nigerian.
Genevieve Nnaji as Ms Adebayo is outstanding
making the most of the tiny role she is given to again deliver a strong
performance unfortunately the character in the book and the film are way too
small for her to do anything interesting but she still manages to own the Ms
Adebayo character, turning her into an arch, sexy foil to Olanna an embodiment
of the ‘home based’/ ‘been to’ dichotomy that informs a lot of Nigerian banter.
In fact in the context of her performance she would have made a more logical temptress
than the actual hapless one. One hopes she has a good agent who can use this is
as a cross over vehicle for her and generate more roles in major movies after
this.
Mawle is credible as Richard, channelling his awkwardness, besotted
infatuation and otherness. There are cameo turns by other Nollywood stars such
as Zack Orji and O.C. Ukeje, but there is never enough time or depth to properly
develop anyone other than Olanna thus they are simply lucky to get a line or two.
In conclusion this film always had huge oversized clown
shoes to fill and would have disappointed the books admirers whatever it did.
The only true way to represent Half of a Yellow Sun is in a 10 or more part
mini series and even then it will be difficult.
However this film has great scenes, great scenery and
cinematography and great actors and acting. It is the embodiment of the Achebeism that if you don’t like how someone tells your story to tell it yourself,
thus it was with an outsize sense of pride that I watched this Nigerian film, made
with funds raised by Nigerian bankers, starring Nigerian actors, based on a book
by a young Nigerian, written and directed by a Nigerian and filmed in Nigeria.
It is an important film for all these reasons alone, besides
being a good story and an interesting film, I will see it again, and again, and
take my family, friends and colleagues, and when it comes out on DVD, will be
my gift for this year.
Half of a Yellow Sun, out now in print and on the big
screen. The next time the world will not be silent while we die.
Monday 14th April
At 6.00pm is Xtra History and Reasoning: That’s Our
History In Them London Streets at
Mayor’s Parlour, Harrow Civic Centre, 1 Station Road, Harrow, HA1 2XY. RSVP
this FREE event from here.
At 6.00pm the
International Black Women’s Film Festival screens B is for Boy at Rich Mix, 35-47 Bethnal Green Road,
Shoreditch, E1 6LA This debut film by Chika Anadu features a middle class
wife and daughter who at nearly 40 loses her unborn male child, in desperation
she fakes a pregnancy rather than tell her husband. Followed by a Q&A with
Louisa Egbunike and Yvonne Mbanefo. Tickets are £9.50 from here.
From 9.00am to
4.00pm is the African Business
Management Course at Regents
University, Inner Circle, Regents Park, NW1 4NA. This fully accredited 3
Day Level 6 Course is designed to give a practical view of working and
conducting business in Africa. Course fees are £1,500.00, from here
From 10.30am to
3.30pm is Jamaica Hidden Histories
Workshops at Rich Mix, 35-47 Bethnal
Green Road, Shoreditch, E1 6LA. This Graphic Design and Video Workshop is
for 18-25 year old so will teach techniques about creating successful brands.
Not only is this FREE but volunteers
will be able to claim £18.00 per day for travel and subsistence. Email ElamForrester to reserve a place.
At 6.00pm The
Royal African Society hosts Algeria Elections
2014: No Time for Change in the
Brunei Suite, SOAS, Thornhaugh Street, WC1E 7HX. Chaired by Jon Marks
(Cross Border Information) with Imad Mesdoua (Mintz Group), Claire Spencer
(Chatham House) and Jonathan Hill (KCL), the panel will be assessing Algeria’s
current political trajectory as the 2014 elections see the aging President
Bouteflika possibly elected for a 4th term. Register for this FREE event here.
At 6.00pm the Ka Tutandike Trust UK
presents Social Entrepreneurship- A bold
new approach to tackling poverty at Nedbank, Millennium Bridge House, 2 Lambeth
Hill, EC4V 4GG. This panel will address the use of social enterprises as
opposed to the traditional donor dependant model. The panel will consist of
Stephen Brenninkmeijer (Willows Investment), Richard Dowden (Royal African
Society), Susan Kisitu (Ka Tutandike Trust), Vinay Nagaraju (Riders For
Health), Conall O’ Caomiah (Value Added in Africa) and Hans H. Wahl (INSEAD).
Register for this FREE event here.
At 6.00pm
is the IrelandNigeria Fashion Show 2014
at Rich Mix. This evening of
fashion, live music, to launch IrelandNigerias new line ‘IN’ aimed at 16-36
year old men and women. Register for this FREE
event here.
Tuesday 15th April
At 7.00pm is Spoken Word Hysteria at Hysteria Dalston, 578 Kingsland Road,
Dalston, E8 4AH. Hosted by Uncle Errol featuring 3 female spoken words; Kemi
‘Demerara’ Taiwo, Melinda Nampiima and Melissa Melody with an open mic as well.
Wednesday 16th April
At 1.30pm the
Overseas Development Institute presents
Remittances to Africa: cutting the cost, harnessing the potential at ODI, 203
Blackfriars Road, Southwark, SE1 8NJ. This half day event identifies
ways in which remittances could play a
more powerful role in spurring development of sub-Saharan African economies.
Register for this FREE event here.
At 7.30pm The
Mosaic Rooms screens Notes for An African Oresteia at The Mosaic Rooms, A.M. Qattan Foundation,
Tower House, 226 Cromwell Road, SW5 0SW. Italian directors Pier Paolo
Pasolini visual notes for a feature film he planned to make in the 1970’s
juxtaposing Aeschylus Orestes trilogy with African politics make up this 65
minute film. Tickets are £5.00 from
here
Thursday 17th April
From 10.00am to
6.00pm is the Pan-African Business
Expo at The Great Hall, Kings
College London, Strand, WC2R 2LS. This event seeks to promote, challenge
and motivate the economic and social empowerment of the African Caribbean
communities. Speakers include Wilfred Emmanuel Jones (The Black Farmer), Sonia
Brown MBE (National Black Women’s Network), Michael Parker CBE (Kings College
Hospital Trust), John Hilary (War on Want), Muzvare HRH Betty Makoni (Girl
Child Network Worldwide), Bryan Treherne (UKTI), Mavis Amankwah (Rich Visions),
Sam Onigbanjo (Women4Africa), Kiran Patel (MGR Weston Lay LLP), Daphne
Kasambala (Sapelle), Stephanie Chiyangwa (Help Us Help Ourselves), Vava Tampa
(Save the Congo) and Jenny Okafor (Nigrian Women in Diaspora Leadership).
Admission starts from FREE to £150.00
from here.
At 7.00pm is
Afterwork with Business Talk and Party at UnderSolo Bar, 22 Inverness Street,
Camden, NW1 7HJ. Between 7.00pm and 9.00pm is the networking/ mix and
mingle event, from 8.00pm, George Ruddock (Voice Newspaper) and Wendel Clement
(Campbells of London) will share their career highlights and what they consider
to be key success factors from an African Caribbean perspective, from 9.00pm is
a Caribbean themed party with Jay Sun Bailante and Triple M. FREE before 9.00pm, £5.00 from 9.00pm till 11.00pm
At 7.30pm is Watch Me Flow at Vibe Bar, 91-95 Brick Lane, E1 6QL. This yearly Easter event is a
fusion of live music, visual art and poetry in aid of a nominated charity.
Admission is £10.00 from here with
funds going to Awal Children of the Future.
At 7.30pm is the Jamaica Hidden Histories Showcase at Rich Mix, Freddie Notes will be taking
the audience through a musical journey of early Jamaican music spanning 70
years. This is a FREE event, more
details here.
Friday 18th April
At 7.30pm is Kingston
14 at Theatre Royal, Stratford
East, Gerry Raffles Square, Stratford, E15 1BN. this gripping police
corruption drama set in modern day Jamaica follows A British police officer
sent to Kingston to investigate the murder of British tourist. Starring Goldie,
Charles Venn, Trevor Laird and Brian Bovell. Running till 26 April ticket start
from £10.00 from here.
Saturday 19th April
At 7.00pm LISF
presents Jazz Jamaica at The Jazz Cafe, 5 Parkway, Camden Town, NW1
7PG. Jazz Jamaica will play the hit sounds of Young Jamaica, with The
Phoenix City All Stats and special guest Rhoda Dakar. Tickets are £15.00 from here.
From 12.30pm is the
IBW Short Film Showcase at Rich Mix. Featuring 5 innovative
shorts; Maybe another Time (Martinique,
2013), Scissors (Sizo) (Martinique,
2013), In Between (Martinique, 2013),
The Tings I see (UK/ USA, 2013) and Small World (UK, 2013). Followed by a
Q&A with Ethosheia Hylton (director
Small World). Tickets are £9.50
from here
Sunday
20th April
At 11.00am is the Numbi Rhythm Workshops at Rich Mix, this rhythmic jam session
lead by Numbi guest artists Nadia Al Faghih Hasan and Freddy Macha. Tickets are
£10.00 (£5.00 concs) from here.
At 12.30pm the IBW Film Festival screens Looking for Claudia Jones at Rich Mix. This documentary about Claudia Jones by Nia Reynolds narrated by Josette Simmons is followed by a directors Q&A. Tickets are £9.50
At 12.30pm the IBW Film
Festival screens Night Husbands (Maris de nuit) at Rich Mix a film about the Caribbean, female loneliness and
sexuality, followed by a Q&A.
At 7.00pm is Soul Acoustic at Rich Mix, hosted by DJ Ronnie Herel, this collection of singer
song writers headlined by Don E, with We Are Dora Martin, Incisive, Hayley
Cassidy, Esco Williams, Heston, Christopher Ellis and J Appiah. This is a FREE event.
At 8.00pm is Word4Word at Theatre Royal, Stratford East. Hosted by Kat Francois, with a Slam
competition, of 10 poets, 3 rounds and a £50.00 for the winner and singer
songwriter Asabi Hawah as guest. There is also an open mic at his FREE event
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