By Anuoluwapo Lebi
Twenty-Eight years after the demise of the pioneer of Africa’s most popular genre of music, Afrobeats, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, Nissi Ogulu, a Nigerian singer has dug into the life of the Pan Africanist, to tell a nostalgic story of Fela’s early years through an animated film, ‘Sopo.’
The animated film inspired by the musical revolutionist, Fela is set to be released soon.
The film ‘Sopo’, which translates to the word ‘connect’ in the Yoruba language is a loose adaptation of a memoir which was published in 2016, titled ‘Dis Fela Sef! The Legend(s) Untold,’ written by Benson Idonjie, the Nigerian broadcaster who was also Fela’s first band manager.
‘Sopo’, the short film, produced by Creele Animation Studios, a Lagos-based animation company co-founded by Nissi, the granddaughter of Idonjie, is aimed at celebrating African roots and highlighting music’s transformative power.
In ‘Sopo,’ Fela’s story is reimagined through Oyejo’s journey. Oyejo is a young musician yearning for the approval of his father Dotun, a man too consumed by expectation to recognise his son’s true gift.
Their rift grows until Dotun discovers Oyejo’s talents, thanks to music speaking louder than words, which leads to a heartfelt reconciliation.
In an interview with Deadline, Nissi said Sopo’s historical significance reinforces her company’s commitment to telling authentic African stories.
“Sopo is not just an animated film; it’s a visually stunning and historically rich chronicle of the birth of a movement,” she said.
“This project is a celebration of our roots and an exploration of the transformative power of music. Sopo is more than just a film—it’s part of a larger movement to Make Africa Cool Again, showcasing the continent’s creative brilliance to the world.
“The cultural and historical significance of this story makes it imperative to be told with authenticity and depth, reinforcing Creele Animation Studios’ commitment to pioneering African storytelling on a global stage.”
John Etienne, the business manager, said plans are ongoing to expand ‘Sopo’ into a feature-length film, with the short serving as a prequel.
“We are already in discussions with prominent producers and financier to expand this into a feature film imminently, alongside other projects currently in development with announcements coming sometime in Q2/Q3 2025,” he said.
‘Sopo’ features music and an original score by Made Kuti, Fela’s grandson.
The short film, which was produced in Lagos, is set for a private screening in May after which it will embark on a festival tour and a limited theatrical run in Nigeria.
Creele Studios also announced ongoing discussions with distributors and streaming platforms for an international release.
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