Elesin Oba: The King’s Horseman is an adaptation of a play by same title, written and directed by Biyi Bandele, starring Odunlade Adekola.
Premise
Inspired upon true life events, in the Oyo Empire in the 1940’s, Elesin Oba, the king’s chief horseman, succumbs to the lure of beauty and sexual desire on the very evening he is set to die in order to fulfill his lifelong debt of ritual suicide to accompany the dead Alaafin to the realm of the ancestors, he derails from a very important generational and spiritual transaction. This sets in motion a series of catastrophic consequences, in a spell-binding film of emotions, humor, and tragic role reversals that puts ancient beliefs and customs on trial in an ever increasingly post-modern and Western world.
Movie Review
A quirky movie with a clear theatrical narrative structure. Without big cinematographic gestures, but counting on good photography, we follow the sequence of events entertained by the amusing characterizations, and a script that is relaying a story, with dialogues fit for a play. A story that tells of customary differences in a colonial era.
The costume designs are impressive, and the performances are rather good. Note: it is important to read the subtitles when songs of the score are playing, as it is there many details of the story are conveyed. The movie is dubbed quite well.
Our Opinion
An amusing movie that is clearly adapted from a play.
Release Date
November 4, 2022
Where to Watch ‘The King’s Horseman’
Direction
Biyi Bandele
Cast
Odunlade Adekola / Elesin
Shaffy Bello / Iyaloja
Olawale-Brymo Olofooro / Praise Singer
Deyemi Okanlawon / Olunde
Omowunmi Dada / Bride
Jide Kosoko / Sergeant Amusa
Mark Elderkin / Simon
Jenny Stead / Jane
Langley Kirkwood / Resident
Fares Boulos / Aide-de-camp
See full credits >>
Visitor Rating: 3 Stars