Biyi Bandele, Nigeria’s ace theater director has passed on.
The circumstances of his sudden death on Sunday are still not clear at press time, his daughter, Temi Bamdele who broke the news on her father’s Facebook page called for understanding with the family at this moment of grief.
She wrote, “As Biyi’s daughter, I am heartbroken to share the sudden and unexpected death on Sunday 7th of August in Lagos of my father Biyi Bandele.”
She said Biyi was a “prodigiously talented writer and film-maker” adding that he was also well “a loyal friend and beloved father.”
Going further about her father, she wrote, “He was a storyteller to his bones, with an unblinking perspective, singular voice and wisdom which spoke boldly through all of his art, in poetry, novels, plays and on screen. He told stories which made a profound impact and inspired many all over the world. His legacy will live on through his work.
He was taken from us much too soon. He had already said so much so beautifully, and had so much more to say.
We ask everyone to please respect the privacy of his family and friends as we grieve his loss.”
Among other films directed by Bandele was Half of Yellow Sun, an adaptation of Chimamanda Ngozi-Adichie’s novel.
His latest film, The Kings Horseman which is on Netflix was presented at the end of last month.
NPO Reports that the movie industry is in mourning as the news of Bandele’s death hit the circle.