After three years of anticipation and uncertainty, “Cordelia,” the latest cinematic work from celebrated Nigerian filmmaker Tunde Kelani (TK), will debut in cinemas nationwide on July 18, 2025, distributed by FilmOne.
Adapted from the novella by renowned playwright Femi Osofisan, “Cordelia” is a gripping political and personal drama set during Nigeria’s military era in the early 1990s. The screenplay is written by Bunmi Ajiboye, directed and produced by Kelani, with executive producers Tayo Oladimeji and Kunle Adebiyi.
Speaking at a media parley in Lagos, Kelani described the film as “a celebration of a journey” and a mirror reflecting “the fractures in our society and the fragility within the family when truth is suppressed.”
The film follows the story of Cordelia Nwanze-Peters, the daughter of a wrongly accused military officer, caught in the chaos of a campus protest and a military coup. Rescued by a weary academic, Professor Adekunle Benson, she becomes the target of betrayal and power play as both personal and national truths unravel.
Starring a stellar cast including Omowunmi Dada, William Benson, Yvonne Jegede, Keppy Ekpeyong, and Kelechi Udegbe, Cordelia explores themes of conscience, courage and redemption.
Kelani emphasised the cultural importance of adapting African literature into film saying, “Our written stories—alongside oral traditions, folklore, and lived experiences—are part of our intangible heritage. When we adapt them to film, we preserve, interpret, and pass on culture.”
A standout element of the production is its international musical collaboration. The original score by Michael Ogunlade was orchestrated in partnership with the University of Delaware’s Music Department, led by Professor Anderson, in a project titled Cultural Fusion.
“Cordelia” marks a new chapter in TK’s ongoing journey of telling culturally resonant, thought-provoking African stories.