‘Half of A Yellow Sun’ Starring Thandie Newton & Chiwetel Ejiofor is set to Primiere in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

The Orange Prize-winning story ‘Half of A Yellow Sun’ follows the intertwining lives of several characters before and during the Nigerian-Biafran War of 1967-1970. The story is told through three different points of view: Ugwu, a thirteen-year-old boy from a small village who becomes a houseboy for a university professor full of revolutionary zeal; Olanna, the warm, progressive and beautiful daughter of well-to-do city-dwellers; and Richard, a white ex-patriot originally from England, who falls in love with Olanna’s twin sister.

A scene from the movie which has been tipped for success

Thandie Newton takes on the role of Olanna, with Anika Noni Rose as her sister Kainene. Chiwetel Ejiofor plays the role of revolutionary professor Odenigbo, with John Boyega as his houseboy Ugwu. Joseph Mawle plays the English writer Richard. Cobhams Asuquo and singer-songwriter Keziah Jones are also said to be involved in the production, producing original music for the soundtrack. Set to arrive in cinemas in 2013, ’Half of A Yellow Sun’ is adapted for the screen by Nigerian theatre director, playwright and novelist Biyi Bandele. 

Half of a Yellow Sun recreates a seminal moment in modern African history: Biafra’s impassioned struggle to establish an independent republic in Nigeria, and the chilling violence that followed.