Aug 9th 2013, 19:39, by Tambay A. Obenson
It was in November that veteran Nigerian director Tunde Kelani revealed that, for his next film, he would continue his streak of adapting novels by Nigerian authors, and was considering Olayinka Abimbola Egbokhare's Dazzling Mirage, as his next work.
Confirmed about 3 months ago, it most definitely will be his next film.
Unfortunately, for those of us here in the USA, the book isn't readily available for purchase. I couldn't even find a copy on eBay, although something tells me that will probably change soon, since Kelani has given the novel some exposure with the announcement of his planned adaptation.
But what I did find out, thanks to a Google search, was that the novel's story revolves around a female sickle cell carrier and the seemingly endless flow of problems that enter into her life as a result of her genes.
Betrayal, loyalty, love, travails, and triumphs against the physical pains, emotional trauma are experienced in the life of the sufferer as she forges ahead in the quest to be self fulfilled. It also unveils and challenges certain myths around about sickle cell sufferers.
Director Kelani added this in a statement:
''Even then it is an interesting love story, because all of us are connected directly or indirectly to the sufferers of this ailment. I'm intrigued by the writer's approach to weave a love story with it and that to me, it is an attraction. I have also had personal relationship with sufferers of this ailment and I consider it my responsibility to bring their story to fore.''
Kelani has officially commissioned award-winning London-based Nigerian screenwriter Ade Solanke to adapt the book, which she's apparently doing right now. Solanke's resume is quite impressive, so this should be a well-written work.
And earlier this week, director Kelani revealed via his production company's Facebook page that fellow Nigerian filmmaker (and actor) Kunle Afolayan, will star in Dazzling Mirage.
Afolayan himself is currently in production on his own next movie, titled October 1, produced by his Golden Effects production company, on a reported $2 million budget, set in 1960, against the backdrop of Nigeria's independence, and is said to be a serial killer movie.
I'm glad to see these 2 working together, in a director/actor capacity, and I'm looking forward to seeing both films, likely some time next year.
More casting on Kelani's film should be unveiled shortly, with production set to begin very soon.
Kelani's last film, MAAMi played on the international film festival circuit, and opened in Nigeria last year. It's now available on VOD/Digital so more of us around the world can see it.
Below you'll find an promo poster for Dazzling Mirage:
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