Based on the harrowing prison memoir by Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka, THE MAN DIED is a powerful tale of resistance, courage, and the unyielding human spirit. Set against the backdrop of Nigeria’s civil war, the film chronicles Soyinka’s imprisonment without trial by a brutal military regime determined to silence his voice. Through solitary confinement, torture, and deprivation, Soyinka’s resolve to fight against tyranny and injustice only grows stronger. Interwoven with flashbacks to his earlier life as a writer and activist, the film reveals the profound inner strength and unbreakable spirit that drive Soyinka’s resistance. As he documents his experiences on scraps of paper smuggled out of his cell, his writings become a beacon of hope and a call to action for others living under oppression. THE MAN DIED is not just a personal story but a universal testament to the enduring power of truth and the necessity of standing up against tyranny. It is a poignant reminder that, in the face of oppression, silence is not an option, and the human spirit can never truly be extinguished. Stars Wale Ojo and Sam Dede.

Regional Premiere and Texas Premiere

Awards:
Best Screenplay, Carthage Film Festival Tunis 2024
Jury Prize, Luxor African Film Festival Egypt 2024
Best Screenplay, Africa International Film Festival Lagos 2024
Audience Choice, Eastern Nigeria Film Festival 2024

PAN AFRICAN FILM FESTIVAL PASSES

Purchase a PAFF pass for tickets to all six PAFF screenings, taking place Thursday, July 31–Saturday, August 2, and receive 25% off the full ticket purchase price. AFS Members receive additional discounts on passes and individual tickets. The PAFF pass includes one ticket to each film screening and the opening night reception.

This project is supported in part by the City of Austin Economic Development Department and a grant from the Texas Commission on the Arts.