Elesin Oba, The King’s Horseman,” a Netflix historical drama, will be the first Yoruba-language film to premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival.
The film, produced by Mo Abudu’s EbonyLife Films and Netflix, is based on real-life events in Nigeria in 1943, and is set in the Oyo Empire, where the King’s horseman, Elesin Oba, must commit ritual suicide to follow his deceased king into the afterlife.
The film is based on Wole Soyinka’s stage play “Death and the King’s Horseman,” which won Africa’s first Nobel Prize for Literature in 1986. It is the first of Soyinka’s works to be adapted for the big screen. Biyi Bandele wrote and directed the film adaptation.
“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,” said Mo Abudu, CEO of the EbonyLife Group and executive producer of the film. It’s an honour to see this enthralling exploration of African thought and tradition on film. Its use of European and Yoruba ideals to depict universal themes of cultural responsibility has never been more effective.
Biyi Bandele wrote and directed the film, which stars Odunlade Adekola as Elesin Oba, Shaffy Bello as Iyaloja, and acclaimed musician Brymo as the Praise Singer, who makes his screen debut. Deyemi Okanlawon, Omowunmi Dada, and veteran actors Jide Kosoko and Kevin Ushi join them. Jenny Stead and Mark Elderkin play Jane and Simon Pilkings, Langley Kirkwood, and there is a cameo appearance by acting legends Taiwo Ajai-Lycett and Ajoke Silva.
Watch the Trailer of the king’s horeman here
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