‘The Man Died’ Screens in Costa Rica, Celebrating Wole Soyinka’s Legacy on the Global Stage

Award-winning Nigerian film ‘The Man Died’, which chronicles the incarceration of Africa’s first Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka during Nigeria’s civil war, was screened on April 23 at the Costa Rica African and Diasporan Film Festival.

The festival, which runs from April 23 to May 18, 2025, is organised by the non-profit Foundation for Art and Culture for Development, and is dedicated to celebrating Afrodescendant narratives from across the world.

Festival Executive Director Carol Patricia Gonzalez noted the importance of showcasing a film like The Man Died in Costa Rica, where stories of the African diaspora remain largely underrepresented in mainstream culture, universities, and cinemas.

“The inclusion of The Man Died not only enriches our programme but fosters vital cultural connections across the Global South,” Gonzalez said.

The festival also took the initiative to translate the film into Spanish, making it accessible to wider audiences across libero-American film festivals, in addition to the existing French and Arabic versions.

Behind the Film

The Man Died was written by Bode Asiyanbi and directed by Awam Amkpa, with production by Femi Odugbemi’s Zuri 24 Media. The film features a powerhouse cast including:

• Wale Ojo as Wole Soyinka

• Sam Dede as Yisa

• Norbert Young, Francis Owochei, Edmond Enaibe, Christiana Oshunniyi, and Abraham Awam Amkpa in key supporting roles.

On a Global Tour

Since its international festival debut last year, The Man Died has received numerous accolades and is continuing its global journey:

1. New York African Film Festival (May 13)
2. Film at Lincoln Center (May 7–13)
3. Maysles Cinema (May 15–18)
4. Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) (May 23–29)

With each screening, the film not only honors Wole Soyinka’s courage but also elevates Nigerian storytelling and amplifies African voices on the world stage.