Tunde Kelani has by this time carved himself a unique position by creating a distinctive African cinema outside the Nollywood regime. Kelani melds a Yoruba world view, theatrical pageantry, social satire, epic theatre stylistics, byzantine plot turns, and disjunctive breaks into alternate styles.
Here, he presents the story of a king of an imaginary town who brays against corruption while rigorously prosecuting economic reform and handily welcoming foreign investors: there’s no mistaking the parody of former President Obasanjo.
The leadership portrait emerges as the key sub plot in a ornate romance featuring the Arugba – the virgin who carries the sacrificial calabash during the Osun Osogbo festival – and a young dancer intent on winning her. Set against the backdrop of a corrupt society seeking cleansing, rebirth and nationhood, with all the attendant intrigues, the Arugba must perform her annual traditional role of carrying the sacrifice in a procession to the river.
Also in this combined programme
-
Oroki
This short documentary about the actual Osun Osogbo festival planted the first seeds of what would become Arugba so many years later.
Film details
- Country of production
- Nigeria
- Year
- 2008
- Festival edition
- IFFR 2010
- Length
- 95"
- Medium/Format
- HDcam
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