PARK CITY -- Focus Features is developing a biopic about Fela Kuti,
the Nigerian musician and political maverick.
Focus has acquired the book "Fela: The Life and Times of an African
Musical Icon" by Michael Veal as source material.
Kuti, whose full name is Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, garnered fame in the
U.S. for his fusion style of music known as Afrobeat. He often was
imprisoned on what human-rights groups called trumped-up charges
when he went back to his native country and spoke out against its
government and policies. He died in 1997.
Focus has a host of internationally oriented projects, including a
biopic of Serge Gainsbourg and the Spanish-language "Sin Nombre,"
which premieres at the Sundance Film Festival.
Focus Features in tune with Fela Kuti biopic
Nigerian musician also was political maverick
By Steven Zeitchik, January 14, 2009 10:55 ET
PARK CITY -- Focus Features is developing a biopic about Fela Kuti, the Nigerian musician and political maverick.
Focus has acquired the book "Fela: The Life and Times of an African Musical Icon" by Michael Veal as source material.
Kuti, whose full name is Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, garnered fame in the U.S. for his fusion style of music known as Afrobeat. He often was imprisoned on what human-rights groups called trumped-up charges when he went back to his native country and spoke out against its government and policies. He died in 1997.
Focus has a host of internationally oriented projects, including a biopic of Serge Gainsbourg and the Spanish-language "Sin Nombre," which premieres at the Sundance Film Festival.
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