Kongi's Harvest (film)

For the play on which the film is based, see Kongi's Harvest.
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
  • May 1970 (1970-05) (Sweden)
  • February 1973 (1973-02) (United States)
  • 1973 (1973) (Nigeria)
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 (Soyinka), the dictator of an African developing nation, is trying to modernize his nation after deposing King Oba Danlola (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

References

  1. ↑ 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
  2. ↑ Gugler, Josef (1999). "African Writing Projected onto the Screen: Sambizanga, Xala, and Kongi's Harvest", African Studies Review, Vol. 42, No. 1, Apr., 1999
  3. ↑ Davis, Ossie (September 20, 1970). Movies; "When Is a Camera a Weapon? The Camera As Weapon", New York Times
  4. ↑ Rosenblum, Mort (April 4, 1970). "Black Africa's First Full-Sized Movie", Los Angeles Times
  5. ↑ Bolwell, Edwin (July 15, 1967). "Tarzan's Africa may be up a tree; U.S.-Nigerian Film Company Would Change Image", New York Times
  6. ↑ Bunce, Alan (September 1, 1970). "'There is a constant thread in all I've done'", The Christian Science Monitor

External links


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