Biyi Bandele, the co-Director of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and Netflix’s debut Nigerian original series ‘Blood Sisters,’ has passed away. The Lagos-based film director recently finished work “Elesin Oba, ‘The Kings Horseman’, which is an adaptation of Professor Wole Soyinka’s classic drama, “Death and The King’s Horseman,” was set to screen at the Toronto International Film Festival, TIFF, come September 2022. The 54-year-old filmmaker was directing the epic movie for EbonyLifeFilms before his sudden demise.
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According to a statement released by his daughter via his official Facebook page, the renowned filmmaker died in his Lagos home on Sunday, August 7, 2022. “As Biyi’s daughter, I am heartbroken to share the sudden and unexpected death on Sunday 7th of August in Lagos of my father Biyi Bandele’. Temi Bandele wrote on Facebook.
“Biyi was a prodigiously talented writer and filmmaker, as well as a loyal friend and beloved father. He was a storyteller to his bones, with an unblinking perspective, singular voice and wisdom which spoke boldly through all of his art, in poetry, novels, plays and on screen. He told stories which made a profound impact and inspired many all over the world. His legacy will live on through his work.
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“He was taken from us much too soon. He had already said so much so beautifully, and had so much more to say.
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“We ask everyone to please respect the privacy of his family and friends as we grieve his loss.” She added.
EbonyLife’s ‘Elesin Oba’, is a movie many believe will finally give him the big recognition he deserves.
Bandele was popular for working on the SUGA series and directing the 2013 film adaptation of Chimamanda’s classic novel ‘Half Of A Yellow Sun’ starring Thandiwe Newton and Chiwetel Ejiofor. Apart from film directing, he enjoys taking amazing photos of Lagos city. His last post on Facebook was a beautiful photo he posted on August 6th with the caption, “A father watches a movie on his phone with his two kids on the Marina”.
SOME OF BIYI BANDELE WORK-RELATED PHOTOS
