Nigeria and USA / 1970 / 85mins / Drama / English

President Kongi, the dictator of an African developing nation, is trying to modernize his nation after deposing King Oba Danlola. The different tribes are resisting unification, so he tries to reach his goal by any means necessary, including forcing government officials to wear traditional African outfits and seeking advice from the man he deposed. He demands tribute from Danlola in the form of a yam, an important food in the culture. Danlola's former lover Segi brings the dictator the head of her father as sacrifice. Based on a screenplay by Wole Soyinka adapted from his 1965 play by the same name.

Ossie Davis

Civil rights activist, actor and director Ossie Davis was born on December 18, 1917, in Cogdell, Georgia. He studied both at Howard and Columbia University. Most of his career was spent acting, and he started that career in 1950, with the film No Way Out, which also starred Sidney Poitier. He was one of few Black actors who were able to find commercial success in the 60’s and 70’s without falling into stereotypical roles. His directing career was mostly limited to the 1970’s. Davis was also very active in the Civil Rights Movement, participating in marches and speaking out for racial equality, and working with friends Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr. Davis died unexpectedly on February 4, 2005, in Miami Beach, Florida. At the time of his death, he had been working on a film entitled Retirement. That same year, he and his wife Ruby Dee were nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Album with Jimmy Carter in 2007. Learn More