One of Kenya's renowned authors Ngugi wa Thiong'o's books is set for the big screens as a movie through a collaboration between Kenyan and South African filmmakers and Nollywood director Kunle Afolayan.
According to Brittle Paper, the book 'Matigari' (Survivors) tells the story of a freedom fighter who emerges from the forest after Kenya gains independence.
Afolayan made the revelation at the Africa Movie Academy Awards although he did not reveal the Kenyan and South African team he would be working alongside.
"It's going to be South Africa-Kenya-Nigeria co-production and I'm representing Nigeria," he stated.
A synopsis on Ngugi wa Thiong'o's website introduces Matigari (the Survivor) as a man who has survived the war for independence and emerges from the mountains while making strange claims and demands.
Initially published in 1986 as Matigari ma Njiruungi (those who survived the bullets), Ngugi wrote the English translation in 1989.
In the book, the protagonist is searching for his family to rebuild his home and start a new and peaceful future.
But his search becomes a quest for truth and justice as he finds the people still dispossessed and the land he loves ruled by corruption, fear, and misery.
Rumours spring up that a man with superhuman qualities has risen to renew the freedom struggle.
The thrilling novel races towards its climax as Matigari realises that words alone cannot defeat the enemy and vows to use the force of arms to achieve his true liberation.
"Matigari is a satire on the betrayal of human ideals and on the bitter experience of post-independence African society," Ngugi notes.
Ngugi wa Thiong'o is known for his passion in African literature having authored over 35 books.
His other famed works include The River Between (1965), Weep Not, Child (1964), Petals of Blood (1977), I Will Marry When I Want (1977) and Wizard of the Crow (2006).
