TV Adaptation
Sierra Leonean-British actor Idris Elba has responded to the criticisms surrounding his casting as Okonkwo in the upcoming television adaptation of Chinua Achebe’s classic novel Things Fall Apart. In a panel discussion at the Africa Cinema Summit in Ghana’s capital, Accra, Elba addressed concerns, particularly from Nollywood circles, about a non-Nigerian actor portraying such an iconic Nigerian character.
Elba’s remarks came after veteran Nollywood actor Bob Manuel Udokwu expressed reservations during an appearance on The Morning Brief, suggesting that talented Nigerian actors could have been better suited for the role.
Top-Class Actors
Udokwu acknowledged Elba’s talent but noted, “I don’t have anything against him as an actor, but I think we have people who are top-class actors in Nigeria who can play that role better, knowing where that story is coming from.”
He added that although Elba is a renowned actor globally, it was important for African stories to be told by Africans, especially when cultural authenticity is involved.
Elba’s Take
In his response, Elba, who is not only starring as Okonkwo but also producing the series under A24, defended his involvement in the project.
“This is filmmaking. This is storytelling,” Elba said, addressing the concerns of misappropriation and authenticity.
He acknowledged the criticisms, saying, “I totally appreciate that. I know there’s a discussion about misappropriation, and I’m very, very aware of that.”
Transcending Boundaries
Elba emphasised that storytelling, particularly on a global scale, should transcend boundaries.
He argued that the art of filmmaking allows different people to tell each other’s stories, highlighting the importance of unity in the portrayal of African culture.
“We should all be allowed to tell each other’s stories,” Elba remarked, receiving cheers from the audience.
He spoke of the divisions that have historically been imposed on the African continent, urging a collective embrace of African stories, regardless of borders.
“If I Can’t Play Okonkwo…”
Reflecting on his role as Okonkwo, Elba acknowledged the responsibility that comes with portraying such a culturally significant character.
“If I can’t play that character authentically, I shouldn’t do it,” he said.
However, he expressed confidence in his ability to deliver an authentic performance, urging the African audience to support him.
“But if I can, then I want my Africans to support my African.”
Who Is African?
Elba’s involvement in Things Fall Apart has sparked widespread discussion, with some supporting the idea of a globally recognised actor bringing Achebe’s story to new audiences, while others question the decision to cast someone outside of Nigeria.
Writing in This Day, veteran entertainment journalism Femi Akintunde-Johnson said the casting of Elba, “while exciting to some, has opened a Pandora’s box of cultural and artistic dilemmas.”
On her own part, writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie thinks “Okonkwo is not just any African man. He is an Igbo man, steeped in a very particular tradition and history.” She believes, like most Nigerians, that there was an Okonkwo whose image resembled that portrayed by Pete Edochie about 40 years ago in a TV series.
The New ‘Okonkwo’ Series
The new series, produced by the American entertainment company A24, aims to bring Achebe’s iconic novel to a global audience, with Elba leading the charge both in front of and behind the camera.
Known for his roles in Thor, The Suicide Squad, Pacific Rim, and Beasts of No Nation, Elba has previously taken on significant African roles, such as Nelson Mandela in Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom. Despite the ongoing debate, Elba’s stance is clear: filmmaking is about storytelling, and he believes he has the skills to honour the legacy of Okonkwo and Things Fall Apart.
The upcoming adaptation of Things Fall Apart is one of the most anticipated projects in the world of African literature and film, and while the casting debate continues, the focus remains on how the series will adapt one of Africa’s most revered literary works for television.
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