Elesin Oba: The King's Horseman

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Benolu O That has to be one of the best interpretations of a Wole Soyinka book. The actors were fab, the emotions raw, the culture top notch, I understand Yoruba and the script was so good, hopefully translated well enough in the sub titles for those who don't understand it. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/10/23 Full Review Babatunde L After seeing the trailer, the discussion focused on whether we, as moviegoers and intellectuals, should be alarmed by the film's production. Yes, the concerns I had before writing the opinion piece came true. Elesin Oba is not the cerebral movie it portrays itself to be. Elesin Oba joins the list of films that have been adapted and end up stirring up controversy about them and their original works, with many people claiming that the original content is better. The Tragedy of Macbeth, a cinematic version of Shakespeare's Macbeth, was released in 2021 and is a good example of how a work can be modified and still perform as well as the original. Shakespeare's name conjures up academic lenses, much like Soyinka's, and if Coen (the director of The Tragedy of Macbeth) has achieved anything with the film's pure tone, it's finding a deliciously unsettling new vehicle for one of the writer's most enduring works. Here, Elesin Oba falls short: The movie alienated the film medium by remaining excessively faithful to its source material, resulting in a theatrical rendition of a film performance. The director was unable to convey the story visually by being unable to find his unique angle to it. Except for Shaffy Bello, the cast's performance doesn't particularly stand out. When compared to other movies up for Oscar nominations like King of Thieves: Ageshinkole, Agenshikole may have a much worse plot, but its cast performances are the movie's redeeming grace. The plot of Elesin Oba is presented in a terrible way, and when combined with a weak group of performers, the movie is permanently damaged. Excellent performances are given up by Elesin Oba in favour of poetic dialogue. The characters in the movie minimize the catastrophe that is destined to befall the town as a result of Elesin's failure to carry out his rite and the absence of what Soyinka refers to as the Ogunian will. Eleshin's failure has a ripple effect on the community as a whole, according to Soyinka and even some statements in the movie, but the community doesn't even seem to understand this, and the entire transition process doesn't just feel like filler in the movie; it doesn't seem to have any psychological impact on the people. The colour grading adds the final nail to the coffin. While I don't support throwing out the baby with the bathwater, Elesin Oba's colour betrays everything about the look of a period piece. Elesin Oba is not the deep film it pretends to be. It is an empty calabash wrapped in a peacock aesthetic; beautiful on the surface, but that doesn't take away the hollowness. Rated 1.5/5 Stars •  Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 12/17/22 Full Review Vicky S The film makes use of dialogue, idioms, proverbs while putting it concept out. Also, use of cultural activities, and language difference makes it live up to the fact that it was actually a true life story. I think the film adaptation does a better job than the stage play does for itself. Too bad the direction isn't alive to take credit for his work. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/18/22 Full Review Okana B I went into this movie unsure of what to expect, but I was so pleased! It was outstanding! Shaffy Bello killed her role as Iyaloja. I was extremely immersed and would recommend this movie to everyone Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/07/22 Full Review ThecapitalDREY I did not know Elesin Oba would evoke such intense emotions. It is a multi-layered and heartfelt story. Immediately read up on the ancient tradition and the stage play after watching it. The cast was phenomenal! Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/07/22 Full Review Read all reviews

Elesin Oba: The King's Horseman

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