African Diaspora Film Festival: Wole Soyinka-Inspired Film “The Man Died” Screened in Chicago
African Diaspora Film Festival: Wole Soyinka-Inspired Film “The Man Died” Screened in Chicago
By Matthew Eloyi
Following a successful showing at the 32nd African Film Festival in New York, “The Man Died”, a powerful cinematic retelling inspired by the prison memoirs of Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka, has returned to U.S. audiences at the African Diaspora International Film Festival (ADIFF) in Chicago.
The film, directed by Nigerian-American scholar and filmmaker Prof. Awam Amkpa, was screened on Saturday, June 15, at 3:30 p.m. at the FACETS Cinema in Chicago. This screening featured the full 134-minute cut of the film, offering audiences a deeper experience than the 105-minute version previously shown at festivals across three continents.
After the screening, Prof. Amkpa, who also serves as professor of drama, film, and cultural studies at New York University in Abu Dhabi and New York, engaged attendees in a post-screening conversation, exploring the film’s themes and its relevance to contemporary struggles for truth and justice. A similar dialogue format previously held at the Luxor African Film Festival in Egypt earned “The Man Died” the award for “Best Film that treats an important African Issue.”
In its invitation, the ADIFF directorate described “The Man Died” as a powerful addition to the Chicago and Washington, D.C. editions of the festival. “We believe this powerful film aligns perfectly with ADIFF’s mission to showcase diverse and thought-provoking cinema from Africa and the African diaspora,” the organisers said.
Based on Soyinka’s harrowing account of his 27-month incarceration during the Nigerian Civil War, the film is both a personal and political chronicle. Framed by Soyinka’s inner reflections and mental resistance to torture and isolation, the film underscores the resilience of the human spirit under tyranny. A synopsis by ADIFF describes the film as “a universal testament to the enduring power of truth” and “a poignant reminder that in the face of oppression, silence is not an option.”
The film, written by UK-based screenwriter Bode Asiyanbi and produced by award-winning filmmaker Femi Odugbemi of Zuri24 Media, stars veteran Nigerian actor Wale Ojo as Soyinka. The cast also includes Sam Dede, Norbert Young, Francis Onwochei, Christiana Oshunniyi, and Abraham Awam-Amkpa.
Though yet to be officially released commercially, “The Man Died” has enjoyed an acclaimed global run since its July 2024 premiere in Lagos to mark Soyinka’s 90th birthday. It has screened at prestigious festivals such as the Pan African Film Festival in Los Angeles, Nollywood in Hollywood, the African Film Festival Atlanta, and the Carthage Film Festival in Tunisia. It has also earned accolades including Best Scriptwriting (AFRIFF), Best Audience Choice (ENIFF), and Best Director for Amkpa at the 2025 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA).
Beyond Chicago, the film is scheduled to screen at ADIFF Washington D.C. in August, and has been selected as a “star attraction” at the African Theatre Association’s 2025 Conference in Stuttgart, Germany. It is also under review for screenings at leading global universities, including Oxford, Harvard, and NYU, and is being considered by major streaming platforms for global distribution.
Prof. Amkpa, a renowned figure in African theatre and film, brings decades of experience to the project, while producer Femi Odugbemi’s storytelling pedigree includes popular Nigerian TV dramas and globally recognised documentaries. Together, they present a film that speaks both to Soyinka’s enduring legacy and to broader struggles for justice and human rights.
