Kunle Afod Brings 43 Yoruba Film Legends Together in the Forest – A Tribute Like No Other
In a rare and emotional moment for the Nigerian film industry, actor and filmmaker Kunle Afod has done something truly exceptional — he gathered 43 veteran Yoruba actors in a remote forest for five days as part of a special tribute film and documentation project.
The initiative, titled “Legends in the Forest,” goes beyond entertainment. It’s a living archive of history, emotions, and storytelling power. Shot under raw, natural conditions without glamour, it symbolically brings the old guard of Nollywood back to their roots — both literally and culturally.
This powerful tribute captures emotional reunions, cultural performances, storytelling, and reflective dialogues from the golden actors of Yoruba cinema. Many of them had not shared the screen in decades, making this not just a reunion, but a revival of legacy.
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According to Afod, the aim was to give these veterans the flowers they deserve while they are still alive. “They built our childhood memories. Their faces, voices, and proverbs raised a generation,” he said during a press briefing. “This is our way of saying thank you while they’re still here to hear it.”
Some of the featured legends include familiar names who once dominated Yoruba home videos in the late 80s, 90s, and early 2000s. Their stories resonate with millions of viewers across generations, from VHS tapes to digital streaming platforms.
Beyond the nostalgia, the forest served as a symbolic space — representing both the origin of African storytelling and a neutral ground where ego and hierarchy faded. The visuals from the shoot show elders walking among trees, seated in half-moon circles, and recalling how they began their journeys with nothing but passion and a stage.
Viewers online reacted with overwhelming emotions, with thousands of comments praising Kunle Afod for choosing to document their legacy with so much respect. On Facebook and TikTok, excerpts from the documentary sparked a trend titled #GiveThemTheirFlowers.
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The actors themselves expressed gratitude for the experience. Some said they hadn’t acted in years but were moved to tears by the honor and unity the project brought. Others said it felt like a “rebirth of purpose” — a reminder that their voices and faces still mattered in the ever-changing Nollywood scene.
Social media users and movie enthusiasts have since called on streaming platforms and the Nigerian Film and Video Censors Board to archive and promote this tribute as a national heritage material. Cultural groups and student filmmakers are also urging for the video to be used in media history courses across universities.
By gathering these respected figures in one place and filming them without distraction, Afod has reignited conversations around legacy, cultural preservation, and the gaps left when pioneers are not properly celebrated.
Whether you watched Baba Suwe make you laugh or saw Mama Rainbow bring tears to your eyes, this documentary reminds us that Yoruba cinema is a pillar of African storytelling — and those who laid its foundation should be honored beyond red carpets and awards.
It’s not every day that a filmmaker pauses commercial projects to preserve history. That’s what makes Kunle Afod’s decision even more powerful. He gave us a gift we didn’t know we needed — a chance to witness greatness, all in one forest.
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π Posted on: June 13, 2025 | π·️ Labels: Kunle Afod, Yoruba Film, Nollywood Veterans, Yoruba Cinema, African Storytelling, NSMedia
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