An Analysis of Kunle Afolayan’s October First, Using François Truffaut’s Auteur Theory

Abstract

Auteurism is a concept that originated from the French film criticism of the late 1940s, and it is the belief or proposition that upholds and projects the director as the author of film or filmic media production. Auteur theory has come to exemplify the prowess, expertise and technical competence of any director. Relying on Kunle Afolayan’s historical depiction movie, October First, this article takes a cursory look at the auteuristic elements of this popular film which is a cinematic reenactment of key events that occurred shortly before and during Niigerias independence on First October, 1960. This article uses Afolayans October First to demonstrate the professional capabilities, cinematographic techniques and productorial initiatives of the film director as the auteur (author) of film. It concludes that from cast and crew, cinematic lighting, costume, suspense and humour, to production design and storyline rendition; the productorial imprimatur of Kunle Afoloayans auteurism clearly stand him out in his works, most especially the one under review, October First.