TONIGHT, the fascinating story of veteran Nigerian musicians will be retold at the ongoing Afrikan Film Festival holding in Koln, Germany, when the documentary, Elder‘s Corner, a Musical Voyage of Discovery, is presented by its writer/director/producer, Siji Awoyinka.
Awoyinka, himself an accomplished composer and musician, will be assisted by his co- producer, Ade Odukoya aka Ade Bantu, who broke the news to NaijaTimes recently.
An excited Bantu said he was elated that the German audience would be able to savour the glory of Nigerian music, especially to trace the root of contemporary forms that have been articulated as Afrobeats, flowing from Fela Anikulapo-Kuti’s Afrobeat musical phenomenon..
The writer/producer Awoyinka with Bantu had traversed the length and breath of Nigeria to have direct live interviews with many of the old musicians, one of whom was Sir Victor Uwaifo, who unfortunately passed on last year.
Others in the film who have since passed on since the interviews were recorded are: E.Z Arince of ‘It’s Time for Highlife‘ fame; Fatai Rolling Dollar of ‘Won Kere si Nomba Wa’ among others. Others in the film who are, however, still alive are Orlando Julius Ekemode, who will be 78 on Wednesday September 22; the storyteller/actor/singer/composer, Jimi Solanke; the Juju maestro, Chief Ebenezer Obey; the singer/guitarist, Sina Bakare; singer Mary Afi Usiah; singer/band leader, Paulson Akalonu, and leader of the Ikenga Superstar.
Also featured are: singer/composer, Kareeb Abdulkareem; the pianist, Tony Benson. Also, younger acts such as the DJ/founder of Yoruba Records, Osunlade and the singer-performer, Wunmi Olaiya are featured.
The team also interviewed non-Nigerians including, the late pianist Randy Weston, and Roy Ayers, among others.
Since its completion last year, the film has made round of many festivals, including the Sheffield Docs, 2020 (World Premiere); IN-EDIT Film Festival, Barcelona, 2020 (Official Selection); DOC NYC, 2020 (North American Premiere); RAI Film Festival 2021, UK (Official Selection); Blackstar Film Festival, 2021 (Official Selection).
A note accompanying the North American premiere, captured the film thus: “When a young London-born Nigerian music fan makes the shocking discovery that many Nigerian musical icons don’t possess copies of their own recordings, he returns to Lagos to re-record them. This film chronicles the music — from juju to Afrobeat and everything in between — and its parallels to Nigeria’s socio-political evolution from the colonial 1950s through the nationalist movement and independence in the ’60s. Rare archival footage colors this performance-rich tour through the history of the nation’s music.”
In explaining the idea behind the film, the director, producer, Awoyinka, says: “From the colorful, celebratory sounds of Juju music to the politicized urgency of Afrobeat, Nigerian musicians have spearheaded some of Africa’s most prominent musical movements. Oftentimes, their work formed the backdrop against which the nation blossomed and floundered. So what happened to these pioneering artists who rose to prominence during the country’s halcyon years – and continued to endure when it faltered?”
A rich and resourceful documentary, Siji and crew spent over a year to amass over 30 hours of interview footages including those of pioneers and veteran musicians, including notably the trumpeter-composer, EC Arinze (late); Fatai Rolling Dollar (late); Chis Ajilo (late); The Lijadu Sisters (one of whom is now late) and Emperor Dele Ojo and others.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=gN4XEgQBG6A%3Ffeature%3Doembed
The film stats reads:
Director: Siji Awoyinka
Executive Producer: Siji Awoyinka, Tunji Olowolafe
Producer: Siji Awoyinka, Ade Bantu;
Co-Producer: Tunji Ladoja, Abby Ogunsanya, Kay Hung, Edel Kelly
Writer: Siji Awoyinka
Cinematographer: Siji Awoyinka
Editor: Siji Awoyinka, Charlie Hoxie
Language: Yorubá, English
Country: Nigeria, USA
Year: 2020
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