Screening Soyinka: Contextualizing Biyi Bandele's Cinematic Adaptation Journey of Death and the King's Horseman

Abstract

The transition of play texts from stage to screen is a complex artistic endeavor that involves navigating the distinct characteristics of both mediums. Linda Hutcheon's adaptation theory, which examines how texts are transformed across different artistic forms, provides a critical framework for understanding the reinterpretation of dramatic works in film. This paper explores the adaptation of Wole Soyinka's renowned play Death and the King's Horseman into a film directed by Biyi Bandele, analyzing how the adaptation negotiates the interplay between theatrical and cinematic storytelling. By examining the narrative structure, thematic elements, and cultural contexts embedded in both works, this study elucidates the transformation of the original text and the cinematic interpretation's fidelity to its source. Drawing on adaptation theories such as fidelity criticism and intermediality, this paper investigates how Bandele reconfigures Soyinka's play through visual language, mise-en-scène, and performance, creating a film that both honors and recontextualizes its source material. Additionally, this study considers the implications of adapting postcolonial narratives for contemporary global audiences, highlighting the balance between cultural specificity and accessibility. Through a detailed examination of Bandele's directorial choices, we aim to understand how cultural narratives can be reshaped for a cinematic medium while maintaining the philosophical and historical weight of the original text.