Book: Wildflower; an intriguing tv series
Author: Omoseye Bolaji
(e-book)
Omoseye Bolaji, a prolific African writer has just published a
book titled WILDFLOWER: an intriguing tv series. The work is the text of a
discourse of his weaved around the blockbusting Filipino tv series, Wildflower.
Here he briefly talks about this his new work which is now digitally available
as an e-book.
QUESTION: Many of your readers are surprised you could write on such a topic! Apparently nobody knew you even liked tv that much....Why Wildflower series in particular?
BOLAJI. Yes I don't watch tv or 'soapies', drama, etc much... but over the decades I got to love some of them, and enjoyed watching them on a regular basis. Like Dallas... like Isidingo (SA)... like Fresh Prince of Bel Air... Sunset Beach...Those in the know would actually have expected me to write something about Sunset Beach because I really liked in the past. The characters...like suave, dashing Ben, who could have been a cruel serial killer! Annie, so conniving and seductive, Cole Deschanel, smooth... Eddy, the unedifying cop, Maria, so enigmatic - and her esoteric Mom! But anyway, in recent times I have rather liked Wildflower series. That's just the way it is.
Q . You show a lot of competence in the work, as regards most of the major characters, special dramatic scenes, effects, psychology, overview etc. How did you pull it off?
BOLAJI: Actually the truth is I was rather sloppy in putting it together, but at least it's an attempt. For example, there were certain episodes/scenes that should have been included by me, certainly the stirring, dramatic moment when Ivy or Lily rose from the dead (she had been buried alive!) and she came back to shock and startle the Ardientes family... at a glitzy event. You know in real life the actress Maja Salvador is also a model, which she uses to good effect in the scene - sinuously making her way, model-like towards the Ardiente family ...then announcing that she is in fact the elusive Lily Cruz! Camia's daughter ... yes, something like this should have been included in the book.
Q. Hmmm. And what about the scene where Camia is shot by Julio? At least that is in your new book. I like the correlation or juxtaposition with a scene from one of your books (Tebogo and Uriah Heep ) where a man agonises dramatically over a dead daughter. In Wildflower, it is Diego who is in great agony over Camia's plight...
BOLAJI. Quite. But there are differences...or at least one or two major differences. In Wildflower, at that stage, the viewer is led to believe that Camia has been fatally shot... Camia's alluring fine hair sort of spread-eagled as she lies on the ground. (Adumbrations of Soyinka on 'King Lear's mane on asphalt heath' ... something like that...). But in the series, Camia in fact did not die. In my own book the young lady was certainly dead, and it was just a ... reminiscence, as it were.
Hearty Congratulations
ReplyDeleteI remember the first time the series, Wildflower, was shown... the neighbourhood I lived in then in Lagos. People - admittedly mainly we women, would throng to any house which had electricity, gather around, put chairs together and watch episodes of Wildflower on the television with delight. Such an exciting series, the women often so well dressed and glamorous, the main actresses showing class with their elegance, good looks, dresses, hats, bags etc. Good for an African writer like Bolaji to write a book on the series.
ReplyDeleteCONGRATULATIONS. Saw some interesting comments on tyhe book on international goodreads
ReplyDeleteBAIE DANKIE.
ReplyDeleteBAIE DANKIE.
ReplyDelete''The references to many of the scenes is commendable. Here eg is how Bolaji comments on Ivy's reaction to Carlota's sad ending:
ReplyDelete'Perhaps the greatest performance of Salvador (Ivy) in this series is her reaction to the brutal murder of Carlota whose body she suddenly sees dangling bizarrely in front of her. Needless to say, Ivy had loved Carlota fulsomely, and her gruesome end shatters Ivy. Note that right beside Ivy as she makes the horrific discovery is Camia (her mother), and Diego...
Indeed, pundits worldwide have commended Salvador for how she responds to Carlota's death in the series, the delayed tears, her profound anguish and fulminations. The usual haunting sound effects accentuate an unforgettable scene....' ''
Congratulations very much in order. Well done.
ReplyDeleteIt is almost incredible to think that Mr Bolaji has written a book like this (on a tv series). We can take in the fiction (novels, short stories) poetry, literary evaluations etc which he has brought out over the years.. Then one remembers that the author once published a book on a South African artist and entertainer (The story of Collins Mokhotho), and then again, this particular new book is also an evaluation of sort. He has more than consolidated his position as an outstanding African writer.
ReplyDeleteGee...some powerful women feature in this series. Emilia despite her cruel father often treating with contempt is a ruthless matriarch herself. Her mother is Red Dragon who controls a team of well trained tough women. Then there is main actress Lily herself who is trained in all the martial arts and beats men up easily. Natalie is not quite that tough, but can be ruthless too, eg the way she tries to tame Jepoy.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, Sir.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your new book 'Wildflower' Malome Bolaji. It is very interesting indeed to see you brave the pandemic and produce a great book. And even more you have lined it with current technology e-book so everyone from any country can buy it yo read it.
ReplyDeleteI'm proud of you The Great One and well done.
Ke a leboha, prof Thiba. Skhokho.
DeleteThe tv series is largely exciting and gripping, though the violence goes too far every now and then (as the author points out in this book). Some very interesting love affairs too - like the woman who kidnaps Jepoy and brings him to her bed...
ReplyDeleteWe need this type of books, but we should also focus on Nigerian and African productions; eg a great old series like Village Headmaster. Any book on the iconic series?
ReplyDeleteJolly good. Heartening
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ReplyDeleteAlthough Emilia is in essence a "bad woman" in this series, one cannot but feel pity for her at the end. Imagine it - all those closest to her die one by one, all in violent fashion. Her husband Raul, is mistakenly shot by her! Her real mother, Red Dragon, or whatever, is killed by a bomb. Her father, the notorious Julio dies a terrible death ( the old man actually dies like 2, 3 times over, but that is tv for you). And Emilia's son, Arnaldo, also shoots himself, his life bleak and sad. Only Emilia remains in the end, but...
Once again Ntate Bolaji you have blessed us with your great talent.. Congratulations Sir...
ReplyDeleteFelicitations Malome, if there is a lesson far more valuable than Gold that can be learned from the tremendous amount of work you've penned on paper, its the importance of consistency, Your pen never ages and your creativity never tires, This will certainly be worth the read, Kudos to you Sir Bolaji
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