For some time now, he has been asking: “When will the sequel to your book be out?”
Yes. My novel, “A Palace for the Slave” is an intriguing adventure that leaves lot hanging for the reader to desire. Tunde Kelani cannot seem to wait for the resolution, and who knows, he just might desire to bring the characters to cinematic appreciation, as a filmmaker who has done more adaptation of literary works on the continent.
Check out his credits: “Ti Oluwa Nile” 1-3 (1993); “Ayo Ni Mofe 1-2” (1994); “Koseegbe” (1995); “O Le Ku” (1997); “Saworoide” (1999); “White Handkerchief” (2000); “Thunderbolt: Magun” (2001); “Agogo Eewo” (2002); “The Campus Queen” (2004); “Abeni” (2006); “The Narrow Path” (2006); “Life in Slow Motion” (2008); “Arugba” (2010); “Maami” (2011); “Dazzling Mirage” (2015); and “Sidi Ilujinle” (2017).
If you study the trend, there is a staggering space in his latter productions, and this may be due to several factors, including age and of course, piracy. But just before Kelani drops the camera, I pray for strength for a revised edition of “A Palace for the Slave”; one that relays the kind of resolution that may give the reader/viewer a sigh. That way, I can share in the spotlight of the great man of African cinema. And just like Prof. Wole Soyinka’s, Akinwumi Ishola’s, Bayo Adebowale’s, Femi Osofisan’s and others, my name may be married to his forever.
TK, has he is fondly called clocked 70 this week, and you can imagine the man’s worth by how much Nigeria and indeed Africa is celebrating him. Thankfully, the ace cinematographer who now runs a film school in Abeokuta, Ogun state has professional offspring in Kunle Afolayan who often refers to him as ‘father and mentor’.
A man of culture (Can’t remember catching him in a dress other than native), Kelani’s career also has an earlier record of a collaboration with the late Adebayo Faleti for “The Dilema of Rev. Father Michael”.
In the words of Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Art and Culture, Steve Ayorinde, “It is debatable if any other filmmaker has touched the motion picture industry in Nigeria in the last 30 years as Tunde Kelani (TK). As the cross-over man, linking the pre-Nollywood era of the 1980s to the present New Nigerian Cinema landscape, TK has attained something close to a deity status. In countless films, his lenses framed Lagos rightly as the film and entertainment hub of the continent, such that when an opportunity came last year for the film screening component of Lagos@50 celebrations to be curated, there was no other person best suited to show the world how much Lagos is in love with movies than TK…”
For filmmaker and festival promoter, Fidelis Duker, TK’s simplicity and willingness to help in growing every aspect of the film industry is an accomplishment.
He said: “I was wondering what more can I say about this young man who turned 70 today. Yes, Tunde Kelani is young at heart … We will not be able to write the story of Abuja International Film Festival without the contributions of TK as we all call him because even at his age … he stoops to the age of a child… accommodating and one of the very few who at the teething stage of AIFF gave us a couple of his yet to be released movies for premiering at our then young film festival. Then, many filmmakers didn’t understand the importance of festivals. Many were so scared their films could be pirated but he believed in the film festival and gave all his support. My wife will always remember with fond memories how she visited TK’ s Mafoluku office and discovered both the old and young were just screaming TK including a 4 years old boy then, that was the day she concluded age is of the mind and the share humility expressed by our own TK to all those around him. Oga TK, as you celebrate 70 today… I have nothing more to say but to say happy birthday to a quintessential icon of the Nigerian motion picture industry.”
In faraway Haiti where he was on his birthday, the world toasted to the filmmaker at a reception for Wole Soyinka by the Association for the Protection of Haiti Patrimonies in Cap Haitien, the capital of northern region of Haiti.
The celebrations continued in Lagos with a lecture in his honour by City People, while on March 8, an ARTHOUSE FORUM will roll out the drums for TK, including the Committee for Relevant Art, IREP Documentary Film Forum, and Freedom Park in conjunction with Ibadan Film Circuit and the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB).
Indeed, I want to be in the ‘good books’ of this man of history. Our friendship so far is not just enough. ‘A Palace for the Slave’ is just my best bet… Just before Kelani is tired.
