Tunde Kelani popularly known as TK, is a Nigerian filmmaker, storyteller, director, photographer, cinematographer and producer has revealed the reasons why he stepped down as chairman of NFVCB he said his resignation became imperative because of the setting of the board and the contradiction in the mentalities of board members.
His words: “I wish to announce to you my resignation as Chairman and Member of the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB). “Within the last few months, I have found out that my life and career do not fit into this type of structure as presently constituted which cannot recognise its tasks talk less of trying to fulfil it.
“I have also discovered that within the short tenure, that meaningful change is not possible within this large group as constituted (52 in number). My entire life and career have never witnessed the contradictory mentality that is within the board which has made it impossible to make an attempt on the task for which we were constituted.
“As you know, I am not used to this type of negative behavioural manifestations, therefore, I have decided to quit now with my name and reputation intact. I need to spend my time and energy on productive, developmental, cultural, social and meaningful projects without unnecessary distractions. “Meanwhile, I wish to thank you for your kind support, morally and financially throughout my life and career. God bless you all,” he added.
In the 1970s, Kelani worked as a BBC TV and Reuters correspondent, and in Nigerian TV. For Reuters he travelled to Ethiopia to cover the drought and to Zimbabwe three times to cover independence there. Once he finished from the London Film School, he returned to Nigeria and co-produced his first film with Adebayo Faleti called The Dilema of Rev. Father Michael. (Idaamu Paadi Minkailu).
Other co-producers include Alhaji Lasisi Oriekun, Wale Fanubi – his partner from Cinekraft, Yemi Farounbi and screenplay by Lola Fani-Kayode.Tunde Kelani has also worked on most feature films produced in Nigeria in his capacity as a cinematographer. Some of the 16mm feature films he worked on include: Anikura; Ogun Ajaye; Iya Ni Wura; Taxi Driver; Iwa and Fopomoyo.In 1990, Kelani was an assistant director and an actor in an American drama film, Mister Johnson, shot in Nigeria. Starring Pierce Brosnan and Maynard Eziashi, the film was based on a 1939 novel by Joyce Cary.
TK developed a soft spot for reading at a very young age and this later developed into his favourite pastime. Starting with the five works of D. O. Fagunwa, which include Igbo Olodumare, Ogboju Ode Ninu Igbo Irunmale, Aditu Olodumare, Irinkerindo Ninu Igbo Elegbeje and Ireke Onibudo, he immersed himself in any literal work he could get his hands on in both Yoruba and English language. Once he discovered the relationship between literature and drama, he adopted literary adaptations as a working model for his filmmaking. Not only does he love the books, he loves the authors too as he’s always found hanging among them. His favourite writers include Kola Akinlade, Pa Amos Tutuola, Cyprian Ekwensi, Akinwunmi Ishola, Adebayo Faleti, Wale Ogunyemi and Wole Soyinka. Some of his most successful films are literary adaptations and they include: Koseegbe, Oleku, Thunderbold (Magun), The White Handkerchief, The Narrow Path, Maami and recently Dazzling Mirage. He has decided to maintain this model for his future films.
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