Film and Literature present art in different ways; however, both mediums have the ability to narrate stories and encourage artistic expression, resulting in heartwarming portrayals of art. This piece will discuss their individual strengths and explore how they complement each other when combined.
The relationship between Film and Literature is interconnected since they share common elements but utilize different methods of expression. Both mediums entertain and explore themes through plots, characters, and settings. While Film employs visuals, music, and action for immediate sensory experiences, Literature relies on written language to ignite imagination and evoke emotions. The most successful film adaptations faithfully adapt literature, creating vivid imagery, portraying characters effectively, and skillfully conveying emotions through sound and visuals. They condense narratives, expand the fictional world, delve into themes and symbols, and foster cross-promotion between the two mediums, resulting in an immersive and enduring narrative experience that deeply resonates with audiences.
Nollywood, the Nigerian Film Industry, and Nigerian Literature share a blooming relationship, as they have taken to adapting several Nigerian literary works into Nigerian films. This showcases the cultural significance of Nigeria in both art forms and offers individuals the option to appreciate either medium.
A good example of the relationship between Nigerian Literature and Nigerian Film is Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's "Half of a Yellow Sun." First published in 2006, the novel is set during the Nigerian-Biafra Civil War of the late 1960s to early 1970s, detailing the lives of four well-rounded characters and how they navigated through the crumbling nation during that period. Adichie crafted a masterpiece that has the power to leave a lasting impression on the minds of readers.
The film, directed by Biyi Bandele and released in 2013, was a beautiful representation. It retained the themes, characters, setting, and left a lasting impression on the viewers.
A notable difference in the film can be seen in the pacing. Nollywood films typically have a time duration of one hour thirty minutes to two hours thirty minutes, though it could be shorter or longer depending on the circumstances surrounding the film. This time duration associated with films gives them the disadvantage of not fully exploring the characters in their development, leading to the omission of certain scenes.
This is a common difference in the adaptation of a literary book into a film. However, there is no doubt that film portrayals do a magnificent job and compensate for this disadvantage by creating motion pictures that strongly depict emotions to viewers. As a result, films have the tendency to evoke more emotional reactions.
One notable force in adapting Nigerian Literary Works into Nigerian Film is Tunde Kelani, popularly known as TK. He has carved a niche for himself in the intersection between Literature and Film, utilizing his production company - Mainframe Films and Television Productions - to celebrate writers and bring their works to life in motion, especially in a society where the inclination to read is diminishing.
The Nigerian directors who have made book-to-movie adaptations have successfully increased awareness of the books to a wider audience, whether or not they find books fascinating. These adaptations provide actors with a platform to showcase their creative talents.
Several Nigerian films have been adapted from Nigerian literary works, including "Dazzling Mirage," "The Perfect Church," "Maami," "Things Fall Apart," "The Virgin," among others. We look forward to seeing more books on the big screen to bring our imagination to life further.