‘I directed movie I didn’t understand’ – Kunle Afolayan

Award-winning Nigerian filmmaker Kunle Afolayan has stated that he once directed a movie without understanding its storyline.

Afolayan stated this while narrating his work experience at the third edition of KAP Film & Television Academy’s Reel Circle.

He narrated: “I was asked to direct something I know nothing about. I tried to bail out but I was convinced that I could do it. But I knew I didn’t know what I was going to do. I didn’t understand the storyline. It is an installation film; even at the time, I did not know what the installation film was.

“I read the script and I did not understand it. I called Biodun Aleja (may his soul rest in peace). He read it and said, ‘This is crazy,’ and then a few other people. I spoke to the person who introduced me to the project that, ‘Can I meet with the producer? Maybe if she shares her vision, I would get it.’

“Then he flew me to London and we sat for like two hours and she was talking. She showed me her showreel and I knew there was a problem because the showreel didn’t make sense. It was a complete abstract installation; people just doing weird things and I am a narrative director. Then I called the link and said, ‘I am not doing this. I would not even know what to say.’

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“But he was like, ‘You have to do it; they are paying you $40,000.’ But I was like, ‘Let us do an adaptation of a scene.’ But even with it, I didn’t know what to adapt. But because Biodun Aleja was there—he studied Performing Arts, so his literature is stronger—and I was like, ‘Look, we have to find a way. They are flying us to Miami and Chicago; we cannot turn that down.’

“They did this and we went, we filmed in like the oldest museum. I was the director and there were five trucks of equipment. It’s like someone throwing you into the ocean and asking you to start swimming.

“Up till now, I did not understand the story. There was no story. If I watch it again, I am like, ‘What was the story?’ But guess what? They flew me in business class to five countries to premiere the film in 2007.”