Gina Prince-Bythewood on 'Children of Blood and Bone'

Worldbuilding in 'Children of Blood and Bone'

Director Gina Prince-Bythewood and star Thuso Mbedu recently shared their experiences working on the forthcoming African fantasy film, 'Children of Blood and Bone'. Prince-Bythewood expressed her admiration for author Tomi Adeyemi, calling her a 'genius'.

Bringing the Story to Life

The film is based on Adeyemi's bestselling novel of the same name and is set in a world where magic has been outlawed. Prince-Bythewood discussed the challenges of worldbuilding in the film, stating that it was a 'daunting task' but ultimately 'worth it'.

Some key aspects of the worldbuilding process include:

• Creating a rich and immersive environment
• Developing a unique magic system
• Building complex characters and relationships

The Importance of Representation

Prince-Bythewood emphasized the importance of representation in film, particularly in the fantasy genre. She noted that 'Children of Blood and Bone' offers a unique opportunity to showcase African culture and mythology.

'It's a chance to see ourselves reflected in a way that we haven't seen before,' she said.

Adeyemi's Inspiration

Adeyemi's novel was inspired by her own experiences as a Nigerian-American woman. She drew on West African mythology and culture to create the world of Orïsha, where the story takes place.

Prince-Bythewood praised Adeyemi's writing, saying that it was 'vivid and immersive' and that she was 'honored' to be a part of bringing the story to life.

For more information on the film, visit the IMDb website or check out the Penguin Random House website for more on the book.