Directed by Ossie Davis Music by Chris McGregor | Written by Wole Soyinka Cinematography Åke Dahlqvist | |
Produced by Ola Balogun
Francis Oladele Starring Wole Soyinka
Orlando Martins
Rasidi Onikoyi
Femi Johnson
Nina Baden-Semper
Dapo Adelugba | ||
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. Soyinka also starred in the leading role as the dictator of an African nation.
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Production
The film was shot in Nigeria. It was the first production by a Nigerian indigenous company whose aim was to change perceptions about the country and the African continent.
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.