Elesin Oba: The King's Horseman

Behind the Scenes of Elesin Oba: The King’s Horseman (2022): A Tragic Legacy and Netflix’s Bold Adaptation

Biyi Bandele’s Elesin Oba: The King’s Horseman (2022) arrived as a poignant swan song for the Nigerian filmmaker, blending Yoruba tradition with cinematic ambition. The Netflix original, adapted from Wole Soyinka’s play Death and the King’s Horseman, marked Bandele’s directorial debut in film—a project that took on deeper resonance after his untimely death just months after its release. latestnetflix.com's read is that here’s what we know about the making of this culturally charged drama.

A Director’s Final Vision

Biyi Bandele, a prolific novelist and playwright, died on August 7, 2022, at age 54 . Elesin Oba was his first and only feature film as director, making its premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in September 2022 . The timing lent the project an air of bittersweet significance—Bandele’s adaptation of Soyinka’s 1975 play, a critique of colonial interference in Yoruba ritual, became his final artistic statement.

The film’s production was announced in 2021, with Bandele attached to direct and co-write the screenplay. Given his background in theater and literature, the adaptation was a natural fit. However, his sudden passing left fans and critics wondering how much of his personal touch remained in the final cut. TIFF reviews described the film as "inspired by true-life events," suggesting Bandele grounded Soyinka’s allegory in historical authenticity .

Casting a Yoruba Epic

The ensemble cast brought star power and cultural weight to Elesin Oba. Leading man Odunlade Adekola, a Nollywood heavyweight, played the titular Elesin Oba, the king’s horseman duty-bound to die alongside his ruler. Adekola’s casting was a coup—his ability to balance gravitas and emotional depth was critical for a role steeped in tragic inevitability .

Shaffy Bello, known for her roles in King of Boys and The Wedding Party, portrayed Iyaloja, a key figure in the community’s ritual dynamics. Deyemi Okanlawon, another Nollywood stalwart, took on the role of Olunde, Elesin’s son, whose return from abroad sets the story’s conflict in motion . The supporting cast included veterans like Jide Kosoko and relative newcomers such as Omowunmi Dada, ensuring a mix of experience and fresh energy.

Notably, the film featured international actors like Mark Elderkin and Jenny Stead, hinting at Bandele’s effort to bridge Nigerian storytelling with global appeal—a strategy Netflix likely encouraged .

Production Challenges and Cultural Authenticity

Filming took place in Nigeria, with locations chosen to reflect the pre-colonial setting of Soyinka’s play. Behind-the-scenes footage and interviews (available on YouTube) reveal a production that leaned heavily into Yoruba aesthetics, from costumes to music . However, the film’s reception was mixed. While some praised its visual grandeur and faithfulness to Soyinka’s themes, others criticized its pacing and narrative clarity. A French review site, SensCritique, gave it a lukewarm 3.5/10, citing a "lack of rhythm" in the storytelling .

One unverified rumor suggests Bandele clashed with producers over the film’s tone—whether to emphasize the tragic ritual or soften it for broader audiences. Without confirmation, this remains speculative, but the tension between cultural fidelity and commercial appeal is a common challenge in adaptations.

A Netflix Gamble on African Storytelling

Netflix’s involvement was a double-edged sword. On one hand, the platform provided the budget and reach to bring Elesin Oba to a global audience. On the other, streaming algorithms often favor accessible content, which may have pressured Bandele to simplify Soyinka’s dense allegory. Reviews on YouTube highlight this divide: some viewers called it a "masterpiece of African cinema," while others found it "confusing" or "too slow" .

The film’s release also coincided with a wave of Nollywood projects on Netflix, including King of Thieves (2022), which shared Odunlade Adekola in its cast . This context suggests Elesin Oba was part of a broader push to elevate Nigerian stories—but whether it succeeded in standing out remains debated.

**The Legacy of *Elesin Oba***

Bandele’s death cast a shadow over Elesin Oba, turning it into a posthumous tribute. The film’s themes—colonial disruption, cultural duty, and personal sacrifice—echoed Bandele’s own journey as a storyteller navigating tradition and modernity. While it may not have achieved universal acclaim, its existence is a testament to his ambition.

For fans of Soyinka’s work, the adaptation offers a visual companion to a play often confined to the stage. For Nollywood, it’s a reminder of the industry’s growing global aspirations. And for Bandele, it’s a final chapter in a career that spanned novels, plays, and now, cinema.