The Nigerian film industry and literary adaptation: The journey of things fall apart from page to screen

Abstract

Adaptation is a vital aspect of literary development and dissemination. Between the genres of literature, and among the media, adaptation has been a source of cross breeding. In the global film Industry, adaptation serves the purpose of visual translation. Film adaptation is not new as it has been in existence from the inception of the film medium. In adapting Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart to film, although the filmmaker deviates as little as possible from the novel, making only minor changes in plot, these
plot changes are significant and go a long way to enhance the story and bring visual variety to the audience. It then means that film transforms all subjects and objects into new signs which communicate to the audience. In essence, film is rooted in the communication and promotion of ideas, and ideas serve as a veritable instrument of enlightenment and education.