In a media landscape saturated with noise, Tunde Kelani returns with Cordelia, a film that whispers where others shout, a cinematic journey that turns silence into its most powerful language.
This is not just another Nollywood drama; it is a haunting, introspective portrait of ordinary people swallowed by the tides of history.
“Cordelia doesn’t just tell a story, it provokes a conversation. It forces you to confront your own silence.”
– William Benson
THE GENESIS OF CORDELIA
Adapted from the acclaimed novel by Professor Femi Osofisan, Cordelia is set in 1990s Nigeria, a time defined by military coups, suppressed truths, and fractured families.
In the words of Kelani himself:
“When power changes hands by force, it is not the powerful who suffer first. It is the innocent… Cordelia gives voice to those quiet victims, the ones history books often forget.”
This film is a tribute to Nigeria’s hidden narratives and to the resilience of those who live in the shadows.
A TESTAMENT TO LITERATURE
Cordelia is anchored in the profound bond between African literature and cinema:
“Our written stories, alongside oral traditions, folklore, and lived experiences, are part of our intangible heritage.”
– Tunde Kelani
Kelani’s adaptation honors this heritage, transforming a layered novel into an equally layered film experience.
A CREATIVE CROSSROADS
One of the film’s most groundbreaking elements is its original score, composed by Michael Ogunladeand arranged in collaboration with the Music Department of the University of Delaware.
This global partnership dubbed Cultural Fusion, blends African themes with orchestral techniques, creating a soundtrack that deepens the film’s emotional resonance.
“It is a creative dialogue… a meeting point between African stories and global craftsmanship.”
– Tunde Kelani
CASTING WITH INTENTION
The cast includes some of Nigeria’s finest actors, selected for their authenticity rather than celebrity.
Actor William Benson recounted the moment Kelani called him:
“Even if I had plans, I said yes immediately. TK asked me for a 60-second monologue, not for him, but so others could see. He already trusted what I could bring.”
Other cast members Kelechi Usegbe and Yvonne Jegede described working with Kelani as transformative an education in the art of subtle storytelling.
ON SET: A SCHOOL OF HUMANITY
“There’s a different energy on his set. You don’t just act. You live the character.”- Kelechi Udegbe
Throughout production, Kelani’s signature approach, observational, gentle, yet exacting pushed actors to unearth new depths.
Actress Yvonne Jegede shared:
“It was humbling. It made me re-evaluate what it means to be a serious actor.”
A FILM THAT HOLDS A MIRROR TO SOCIETY
Cordelia is not spectacle. It is introspection. It is the story of lives quietly upended by systemic violence and collective silence.
Set against the backdrop of Nigeria’s military era, the film demands that viewers look beyond politics to see the human cost.
“It is not the end, but a new beginning—a fresh chapter in my journey of telling culturally grounded stories.”
– Tunde Kelani
WHAT AUDIENCES WILL TAKE AWAY
This is a film for those who appreciate cinema that does not spoon-feed answers. The audience is invited to reflect on their own complicity, their own silences.
Actor Williams Benson explained:
“Cordelia is about the fine story, the national crisis and the strong story your private life caught in it. How do you respond?”
CLOSING THOUGHTS
In Cordelia, Tunde Kelani has delivered what can only be called a masterclass in quiet power.
It is a work that honors African literature, leverages global collaboration, and above all reminds us that the smallest, most personal stories are often the ones that matter most.
Cordelia opens nationwide in cinemas on July 18, 2027.
This is not just a film to watch, it’s a film to witness.
SIDEBAR: FAST FACTS
Title: Cordelia
Adapted From: Professor Femi Osofisan’s novel
Original Score: Michael Ogunlade
Arranged By: University of Delaware Music Department
Director: Tunde Kelani
Setting: Nigeria, 1990s Military Era
Release Date: July 18, 2027
Written By Adesina Kasali (Medullar Concept)
