Half of a Yellow Sun (2013)

Sisters Olanna and Kainene return home to 1960s Nigeria, where they soon diverge on different paths. As civil war breaks out, political events loom larger than their differences as they join the fight to establish an independent republic.

Director:

Biyi Bandele

Writers:

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (novel), Biyi Bandele (screenplay)

Stars:

Chiwetel Ejiofor, Thandie Newton, Anika Noni Rose

3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Thandie Newton	...	Olanna
Chiwetel Ejiofor	...	Odenigbo
Anika Noni Rose	...	Kainene
Joseph Mawle	...	Richard
John Boyega	...	Ugwu
Onyeka Onwenu	...	Mama
Babou Ceesay	...	Okeoma
Susan Wokoma	...	Amala
Jude Orhorha	...	Harrison
Genevieve Nnaji	...	Miss Adebayo
Gloria Young	...	Aunty Ifeka
Tina Mba	...	Mrs. Ozobia
Wale Ojo	...	Chief Okonji
Ayo Lijadu	...	Professor Ezeka
Naya Amobi	...	Arize

Storyline

Sisters Olanna and Kainene return home to 1960s Nigeria, where they soon diverge on different paths. As civil war breaks out, political events loom larger than their differences as they join the fight to establish an independent republic.

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Plot Keywords:

nigeria | nigerian civil war | biafra | sister sister relationship | 1960s | 

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Taglines:

Two sisters, schooled in England, raised in Nigeria. Now on the brink of civil war, two lovers committed to freedom, displaced by conflict, ready to sacrifice everything.

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some violence and sexual content

Details

Official Sites:

Official Website

Country:

Nigeria UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

16 May 2014 (USA)

Also Known As:

Half a Yellow Sun

Filming Locations:

Nigeria

Box Office

Budget:

NGN 1,270,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$4,843, 16 May 2014, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$53,645, 8 August 2014

Company Credits

Production Co:

Slate Films, Shareman Media, British Film Institute (BFI)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

111 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

It took a few years actually to finish the script.

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Connections

Referenced in The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon: Seth MacFarlane/Thandie Newton/Rascal Flatts (2014)

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Soundtracks

Corcovado
Written by Antonio Carlos Jobim
Performed by Tony Kofi and His Quintet

User Reviews

A novelist film

I watched this film at the Zanzibar International Film Festival. It is an Okay film for the first-time director Biyi Bandele - jumping straight to big budget film ($10M). Nevertheless,  it does not deserve the golden award for best feature film. ZIFF is promoting mediocrity. There were other local African films that deserve the award - as 'local' is one of ZIFF main criteria. ZIFF is a not-for- profit organization, and it functions no different than the big-name for-profit festivals. If you don't know what I am talking about - watch the documentary Official Rejection (2009).

Hollywood actors, big-name producers from Constant Gardener, and expensive special effects did not embellish the poor directing skills of Biyi Bandele. 

To be successful in his next film project, I advise Biyi to first divorce himself from his novelist style. 

Just as acting-for-play is different than acting-for-film; the same rule applies to writing a book vs a film script; directing a play vs directing a film.

Biyi does not yet understand the job of a director. There are certainly a LOT of specific directorial responsibilities that he needs to master to become a good director.