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Saint Saro-Wiwa in Cannes
Cannes Festival 2007
critique
rédigé par Tunde Oladunjoye
publié le 21/05/2007

Officials of Triptych Media Inc, Canada are here in Cannes grant-hunting
For the film, In the Shadow of a Saint, a film inspired by the true life story of executed minority rights activist, Ken Saro-Wiwa and his son, Ken Wiwa Junior.

In an interview with the production company's officials at the Nigeria's Pavilion 111 in Cannes, it was revealed that the film would be directed by Akin Omotosho, 30 years old, new breed actor and director and son of the celebrated Nigerian writer, Kole Omotosho (author, Just Before Dawn).

The Nigerian government, it was also revealed had already assisted the film project by an initial contribution of $US 50, 000 through the intervention of the Honourable Minister of Information, Frank Nweke Junior. The Managing Director of Nigerian Film Corporation, Mr. Afolabi Adesanya who received the team form Canada, promised other financial and logistics support for the film, when shooting expectedly commences in late 2008. In the Shadow of a Saint, which presently carries a South Africa/Canada tag would add the Nigerian label when the proposed film treaty between Nigeria and Canada Materialises.

The scripting of the film has started. It is been handled by a Nigerian script writer, Misan Sagay. Milan was the author of "The Secret Laughter of Women", which was made into a feature film and used for the opening screening of London Film Festival in I989. Misan, a qualified doctor, is also at present writing a biopic of African music legend, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti for the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).

Recounting his past life in Nigeria, his father's contacts with Saro-Wiwa, the direct, Akin Omotosho says "this story is in my blood". The film I want to make is a love story. The lives of these two men (Ken and Ken Junior), intertwined with that of their families and their countries beat so loud, it cannot be silenced. Omotosho speaks further: "The temptation is to make a rousing angry film but I take a cue from this quote – "there are no great things, only small things with great love". My experience of the Wiwa family is of small things with great love. I never wanted to judge, but want to welcome the audience in, to witness."

Tunde Oladunjoye,
Cannes, France

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