Historical realism and thematic simplicity in selected video films of Biyi Bandele, Steve McQueen and Lancelot Oduwa Imasuen

Abstract

As a technology and an art form perceived to be capable

of proliferating over the world, it has long been thought

that film has a natural affinity with reality. It has

established itself as a powerful and popular art form.

Film producers have creatively exploited the techniques

that give film its narrative power while expressing

emotions and ideas. In general, films are both created

and produced in the contexts of their social and

economic conditions. Traces of historical facts remain

evident in the works of most Nigerian and African Film

producers/directors. Past events such as war, colonial

rule, and struggle for independence and so on, have been

adapted to form storylines with thematic emphasis on

socio-political and economic effects on the people. Biyi

Bandele’s Half of a yellow Sun (2014), Steve McQueen’s

Twelve Years a Slave (2013) and Lancelot Oduwa

lmasuen’s Invasion 1897 (2015) explore stories of Biafra

War, Slave Trade and Colonization respectively. Resting

on this foundation, this paper takes a critical look at the

element of truth and simplicity of themes and also finds

out the aim and purpose of these themes in video films.

The qualitative method of research formed the bases of

this paper. As a qualitative method, inferences were

drawn from relevant books, academic journals,

magazines to further validate the research work. Despite

the global attention currently received by some historical

films, it has also come under harsh criticism for the

quality of its productions and the content of its stories.

This research work recommends future research into the

historical realism and narratives of specific films and on

the themes and categories that dominate the film

industry. Hence, the research work explores the History,

Realism and Theme as evident in the three video films.