Blood Sisters Director, Biyi Bandele, dies at 54
Biyi Bandele, a Nigerian novelist, playwright, director of Half of a Yellow Sun, and co-director of the Nigerian series Blood Sisters, has died.
His daughter, Temi Bandele, revealed this in a statement posted on his Facebook page late Monday.
The statement read, “As Biyi’s Daughter, I am heartbroken to share the sudden and unexpected death on Sunday 7th of August in Lagos of my father Biyi Bandele.”
Praising her dad, Temi said, “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 wish everyone to please respect the privacy of his family and friends as we grieve his loss.”
The shocking news comes just weeks before the historic TIFF premiere of Netflix and EbonyLife’s ‘Elesin Oba,’ which he directed and adapted for the screen.
Bandele is best known for directing the 2013 film adaptation of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s classic novel “Half of a Yellow Sun,” which starred Thandiwe Newton and Chiwetel Ejiofor.