Kongi's Harvest (film)

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.

For the play on which the film is based, see Kongi's Harvest.
Kongi's Harvest
Directed byOssie Davis
Produced byOla Balogun
Francis Oladele
Written byWole Soyinka
Starring
Music byChris McGregor
CinematographyÅke Dahlqvist
Edited byJerry Gränsman
Production
company
Calpenny Nigeria Ltd
Release date
Running time
85 minutes
CountryNigeria
LanguageEnglish

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 (Wole Soyinka), the dictator of an African developing nation, is trying to modernize his nation after deposing King Oba Danlola (Rasidi 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, April 1999.
  3. Davis, Ossie (20 September 1970). Movies; "When Is a Camera a Weapon? The Camera As Weapon", The New York Times.
  4. Rosenblum, Mort (4 April 1970). "Black Africa's First Full-Sized Movie", Los Angeles Times.
  5. Bolwell, Edwin (15 July 1967). "Tarzan's Africa may be up a tree; U.S.-Nigerian Film Company Would Change Image", The New York Times.
  6. Bunce, Alan (1 September 1970). "'There is a constant thread in all I've done'", The Christian Science Monitor.


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