Popular Movie Director, Biyi Bandele, Laid To Rest

Nigerian movie producer and novelist, Biyi Bandele, has been laid to rest, weeks after his painful death.

Naija News reports that Bandele who died on Sunday, August 7, 2022, was laid to rest today, Friday, September 23, 2022, in Lagos.

Veteran filmmaker Tunde Kelani took to his Instagram page to share photos of the burial as friends, family and colleagues bid farewell to the renowned playwright.

He wrote: “Biyi BÁNDÉLÉ goes home. The Writer, Poet, Screenwriter, Director and Photographer was buried today in Lagos after a brief ceremony. May his soul rest in peace.”

The famous movie director co-directed Blood Sisters, a 4-part Netflix-original television drama series for EbonyLife Films.

Bandele is popularly known for directing the movie ‘Half of a Yellow Sun (Shareman Media & State Films, 2013) adapted from Chimamanda Adichie’s novel of the same title; Fifty (Ebony Films, 2015).

Biyi Bandele’s Death

The death of Biyi happened barely a few weeks before the historical Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) premiere of his latest work ‘Elesin Oba’ the King’s Horseman (2022), which he adapted from Wole Soyinka’s classic drama, Death & The King’s Horseman, and directed for EbonyLife Films.

His daughter, Temi Bandele announced the news of his death in a statement.

Although the cause of the death was not revealed, Temi in the statement grieved over the loss of her father while recounting his contribution to the movie industry.

She wrote: “I am heartbroken to share the sudden and unexpected death on Sunday 7th of August in Lagos of my father Biyi Bandele. Biyi was a prodigiously talented writer and film-maker, as well as a loyal friend and beloved father.

“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.”