By Paul Dada
Ema Edosio-Deelen is a Nigerian filmmaker who recently had an interview with several journalists, including P.M.News Deputy Editor, Paul Dada , Regarding her recent film, "When Nigeria Happens," which explores the challenges, tribulations, and resilience of young Nigerians facing difficult socioeconomic conditions.
Share information about your origin story and what inspired you to pursue filmmaking.
I pursued a degree in Computer Science at Olabisi Onabanjo University. During this period, I developed an appreciation for music videos created by artists such as P-Square and Sonny Nneji. I completed my studies in 2006; however, in 2005, I took an industrial training course and joined a production firm. It was here that I became passionate about film-making. Later, I returned to academia to conclude my education before re-entering the entertainment sector.
I was employed at Hip TV where I collaborated with Clarence Peters. Later, I served as a video journalist for the BBC before taking up similar roles at various networks including Bloomberg and DW. Eventually, I chose to pursue filmmaking.
Have you previously created films on your own?
I created documentaries for a news channel. As we all know, these films revolve around real events. This gave me firsthand experience with the subject matter.
As we know, creative individuals often explore various avenues. During my documentary work, I took on freelancing projects and created content for Ebonylife TV. Concurrently, I helmed a show titled "The Governor" for them. Additionally, I directed another series named " Skinny Girl in Transit" for Ndani TV.
As I pursued that endeavor, I concurrently worked as a freelance journalist. This allowed me to venture out onto the streets where I encountered ordinary individuals going about their daily routines. It dawned on me then that I wished to create narratives centered around these typical folks. Although I had been fortunate enough to produce big-budget, elaborate movies, what truly captivated my interest were the common men and women I observed every day. That’s when I decided I wanted to craft films showcasing Nigerian life within homes and amidst routine activities.
What inspired you to create "When Nigeria Happens"?
I created "When Nigeria Happens" following a chat with a security guard who mentioned earning 30,000 Nigerian Naira each month just to support his family of two while working on the island. This sparked my curiosity about what could drive someone to such desperation—what specific circumstances push humans toward extreme measures? Realizing that many Nigerians face similar struggles reinforced this notion as central to the movie's concept. My work often reflects current societal issues and personal observations. Additionally, despite not having much talent for dancing, I have always been passionate about jazz music. In parallel, there has been a rising trend in modern dance movements within Nigeria. By 'Contemporary,' we're referring to styles blending various influences like Afrobeat, hip hop, and ballet into one cohesive expression rather than adhering strictly to traditional forms. Witnessing talented individuals rise only to vanish later prompted conversations with those whose aspirations were abandoned along the way. These insights culminated in developing the narrative of the film which delves deeply into themes surrounding perseverance amidst life challenges and pursuing one’s ambitions against all odds.
What message do you aim to convey through this movie?
The movie delves into multiple dimensions and focuses on youth. One aspect I highlight is that mere talent isn’t sufficient, particularly within our current societal framework. It's crucial to prepare oneself for what lies ahead—a theme I delve deeply into here. Additionally, I examine how systemic forces can undermine an individual. For instance, during a visit to a karaoke event in Nigeria, I encountered numerous professionals dressed in business attire with remarkable vocal talents. This experience underscores their resilience and struggle, serving as a testament to understanding why some may abandon their aspirations.
In your narrative, how did you encapsulate the spirit of Nigeria, and what key takeaway do you wish for viewers to gain from this depiction? Were efforts made to highlight regions beyond just Lagos?
Absolutely, Lagos feels like a character in my film. Once you enter Lagos, you sense its vibrant essence. When you leave, you find yourself longing to return. There’s chaos, but also order within it. In the movie, I included street dancers performing throughout Lagos. Our filming locations spanned across Abule-Egba, Makoko, Obalende, and even Carter Bridge. Almost all scenes take place in various parts of Lagos. The city itself makes up about 90% of our footage. Successfully capturing this was crucial. agberos that were giving us wahala. They joined us and began performing in our movie as well, allowing us to document that moment.
The movie revolves around an idealistic young protagonist. When one is young, they often believe they can accomplish anything without needing formal education. My wish is that younger audiences grasp this: success isn't solely dependent on natural ability. It's crucial to attend school, avoid drug use, and genuinely prepare oneself for societal expectations. Additionally, I hope viewers recognize the portrayal of ordinary individuals in the story. People are shaped by their environment—the systems surrounding them. These systems have sometimes led many astray. For my part, I aimed to present a reflection of our current social conditions through this narrative, prompting us all to question why we lead such lifestyles and encouraging open dialogue about these issues.
Provide a summary of the film.
Absolutely. This film revolves around Fagbo, an exceptionally gifted dancer who teams up with some rebellious pals. Together, they perform dynamic street dances across Lagos, expressing social awareness through their art without a worry in the world, all while dreaming that their videos will go viral and bring them financial success. However, Fagbo faces personal challenges as well since his mother suffers from Alzheimer's disease. After taking her to the hospital and attempting to withdraw cash at an ATM, he discovers she has wandered away. Frantically searching for her throughout the bustling streets of Lagos becomes paramount, leading him to confront the difficult choice between pursuing his aspirations and caring for his ill mother. Ultimately, he decides to sacrifice everything for her sake.
Do prominent actors star in this film?
No, since it’s a dance movie. I understood early on that only skilled performers would suffice. One notable figure is Qudus Onikeku; he stands out as one of Africa's premier contemporary dancers. I attended his dance academy where we collaborated closely. We invited his troupe members to audition, resulting in discovering several exceptional emerging artists. I believe I've always been adept at identifying raw talent from obscurity. During these trials, I recognized half a dozen incredibly gifted individuals. Additionally, our cast included established actors such as Mr. Alex Usifo, whose performance stood out remarkably. Other prominent figures like Jidekene Achufusi and Seun Ajayi were equally commendable contributors. Ego also joined us; previously known as Lagbaja’s backing vocalist, she brought an extraordinary presence to the screen despite having minimal spoken lines. Her character portrayed the essence of maternal emotion through sheer expression rather than dialogue.
When will this movie be released for everyone to watch?
Sure, let's focus on July this year. We're considering various approaches here. It's not just about releasing the film; I'm planning to host a masterclass detailing my process behind making it as well. Additionally, I intend to tour with the film similar to how Johnny Drille does his performances. Currently, I am organizing several private screenings. While discussions regarding cinema distributions continue, these exclusive showings along with the release of the masterclass will be happening soon.
What difficulties did you face during the process of making the movie?
In Nigeria, which was our filming location, a strike broke out, specifically initiated by the NLC. This occurred during our shoot period. My team consisted of 30 individuals whom I needed to transport between various locations such as the Island and Obalende, making everything rather challenging and taxing for us. Additionally, similar to most film creators, securing adequate funds posed another significant hurdle. Our financial resources were limited, forcing us to operate within tight budget constraints. These were the primary obstacles we faced throughout the project.
I truly wish for a future where we can film freely on the streets of Lagos without interruptions. Ideally, one could walk across Obalende Bridge without being pursued by numerous young men. Actually, there’s quite amusing tale from those times. While working at Carter Bridge, we planned to capture footage early Sunday morning assuming everyone would be gone. Arriving around 7 AM on that particular Sunday, as soon as filming began, about twenty youths appeared out of nowhere. Everyone quickly jumped onto our vehicle and fled; it turned into this comical scene. There wasn’t much time left before negotiations became necessary since it marked our last chance to secure vital shots needed in Abule Egba. Thus, gathering all participants swiftly back aboard, off we went elsewhere.
Are you eagerly anticipating yet another one following this?
Absolutely, I'm set to create my fourth movie "Azaman," which focuses on Yahoo scam artists.
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