Andrew Dosunmu Directing Fela Kuti Biopic

Okayafrica last caught up with Andrew Dosunmu ahead of the theatrical release of his gorgeously photographed debut feature Restless City. Now, Focus Features have announced the hiring of the Nigerian filmmaker/photographer — whose second feature Mother of George opened this past weekend — to direct the Fela Kuti biopic, which itself has a bit of a long-winded history.

Back in December 2009 the project was given a green light to be directed by 12 Years a Slave director Steve McQueen. McQueen was to co-write a script along with the upcoming Half of a Yellow Sun director Biyi Bandele based on Michael Veal's “Fela: The Life and Times of an African Musical Icon" [2000]. The most recent life form of Fela Kuti will see Dosunmu directing from a more recent screenplay (also adapted from Veal's book) penned by Nigerian poet Chris Abani and Focus CEO James Schamus. Needless to say, we're excited for this one to come to light!