Acclaimed director Akin Omotoso, known for his work on hit South African Netflix show The Polygamist, has revealed that literature has played a significant role in shaping his approach to directing. Coming from a family of storytellers, including his father, renowned academic and novelist Kole Omotoso, and sister, critically acclaimed novelist Yewande Omotoso, storytelling is in his lineage. Omotoso's creative confidence is rooted in literature, which has influenced his work on The Polygamist, a series based on a novel by Zimbabwean author Sue Nyathi.
The Polygamist, which has been praised for its storytelling power, tells the story of a polygamist family in Johannesburg. The series unfolds in flashbacks, beginning with a melodramatic scene set around the funeral of the lead character. With 22 episodes, the show has kept audiences engaged, and its success can be attributed to Omotoso's sensitivity to narrative. The director's approach to literary adaptation is evident in the way he has transplanted Nyathi's novel from Zimbabwe to South Africa, with some adjustments to family structure and setting.
Omotoso has revealed that Nyathi was happy with the adaptations made to her novel, and the transition from page to screen was harmonious. The shift in location from Zimbabwe to South Africa and the liberties taken to serve the rhythm of television were all embraced by Nyathi, who gave the filmmakers a "gift" that they treasure. This mutual trust between creator and interpreter has resulted in a series that has transcended its original borders, resonating with audiences globally.
Omotoso's career has unfolded in long arcs, from short films to full-length features, including God is African and Man on Ground, which focused on xenophobia. His film Vaya won him an Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Director, and he earned critical acclaim for Disney's Rise, about Greek-Nigerian basketballer Giannis Antetokounmpo. When asked how his craft has improved, Omotoso resists comparison, saying every directing experience is unique and incomparable.
The African film landscape has undergone significant changes, with South Africa's film infrastructure and Nigeria's creative energy driving growth. Omotoso praises the institutional support in South Africa and the explosive creative energy in Nigeria, noting that professionals in both countries continue to grow, learn, and create. The future of African storytelling is unfolding, with The Polygamist becoming one of Africa's biggest Netflix hits, drawing audiences across borders and continents.
Omotoso's vision is one of African storytelling as a global force, central to the world's cultural conversation. He believes that stories that transcend geographical borders remind us that we are not that different after all and can generate interest in stories and storytellers from new contexts. As a Nigeria-born director who has created compelling South African films, Omotoso occupies a unique cultural space shaped by migration, identity, and xenophobia.
Despite his growing stature behind the camera, Omotoso has not abandoned the possibility of returning in front of it, having worked as an actor in many films. When asked about his next role, he hints playfully at a future cameo. His reflections on the world around him are layered, and he remains focused on human beings and their stories, which is evident in his oeuvre, ultimately about people and their complexities.
Key points
- Akin Omotoso's creative confidence is rooted in literature, which has shaped his approach to directing hit Netflix series The Polygamist.
- The Polygamist, based on a novel by Zimbabwean author Sue Nyathi, has been praised for its storytelling power and has become one of Africa's biggest Netflix hits.
- Omotoso's vision is one of African storytelling as a global force, central to the world's cultural conversation, and he believes that stories that transcend geographical borders can generate interest in new stories and storytellers.
