We Won The Jollof War, Where Do We Stand In The Brewing Literature Contest?
Dear Nyaaba,
In the past few days, social media has been agog with discussion upon the announcement that Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart is about to hit the big screen.
Idris Elba is pencilled to play the leading role of Okonkwo and while this makes for some celebration he being of African descent, there are some who think that the true ethos of the book risks being diluted, even bastardized. That school of thought grounds their discomfiture on the basis that the book itself is a struggle of an Igbo man wrestling with the advent of Westernization and all its entrails. That Elba is a westernized African at best gives reason for worry, for it is the fear of that school that though an ace actor, he lacks the intrinsic essence to capture the internal turmoil that so greatly informs Okonkwo’s character.
I continue to follow that discussion, but what inevitably comes to mind is whether or not Ghanaian literature can boast of such an iconic literary piece and if we do, whether or not it lends itself easily to adaptation. These are my findings:
Ghanaian literature, while rich and diverse, does not have a singular novel that has attained the same level of global recognition as Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart. However, Ayi Kwei Armah’s The Beautyful Ones Are Not Yet Born (1968) stands as one of the most iconic works in Ghanaian and African literature. The novel, a powerful critique of postcolonial disillusionment, captures the mood of Ghana after independence in 1957, exploring themes of corruption, greed, and the moral decay of a society struggling with the failures of its new leaders. This resonates not only with Ghanaians, but with many across the African continent, making it comparable in its thematic depth to Things Fall Apart.
The story’s potential to be adapted into a world-class film is undeniable. The novel’s protagonist is an unnamed civil servant who wrestles with his personal integrity while navigating a corrupt society. The vivid depiction of the gritty reality of postcolonial Ghana, combined with Armah’s poetic prose and existential themes, could make for a gripping film that explores the broader human condition while capturing a specific African experience. With the right script and direction, the novel’s stark imagery and tension between tradition and modernity could be translated into a visually compelling narrative that appeals to global audiences.
However, turning The Beautyful Ones Are Not Yet Born into a world-class movie would require overcoming several challenges. First, its deeply introspective and philosophical nature may be difficult to adapt to the screen without losing its thematic richness. The novel’s focus is less on action and more on inner conflict, which could make it challenging for filmmakers to maintain audience engagement while preserving the novel’s meditative quality.
Second, the international film industry’s engagement with African stories has historically been limited. For a film adaptation to reach a global audience, it would need substantial backing from major production companies or platforms, which have only recently begun to invest in African narratives. Despite this, the rising global interest in African films, driven in part by platforms like Netflix and the success of films like Black Panther (2018), suggests that there is a growing market for African stories.
Additionally, if approached with a vision that captures both the socio-political critique and the personal struggles of its characters, The Beautyful Ones Are Not Yet Born could resonate internationally. The film could be a striking exploration of the universal themes of disillusionment, the search for meaning, and the tension between personal morality and societal expectations.
In conclusion, while Ghanaian literature may not have a globally recognized counterpart to Things Fall Apart, The Beautyful Ones Are Not Yet Born has the potential to be adapted into a world-class film. The story’s powerful depiction of postcolonial struggles, coupled with its universal themes, makes it an ideal candidate for the big screen. With the right artistic vision, it could not only introduce Ghanaian literature to a wider audience but also cement its place in the global cultural canon.
Sincerely yours,
The Pessi-Optimist (The Honnourrebel Siriguboy
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