As a follower of Nigerian filmmaker Babatunde Apalowo, I find his journey in the film industry truly inspiring and relatable. His experiences, as shared in this article, resonate deeply with me, especially given my own background.
Nigerian filmmaker Babatunde Apalowo, who was awarded the Teddy Prize at the 2021 Berlin Film Festival for his romantic film “All the Colours of the World Are Between Black and White” featuring gay characters, is now preparing to produce his upcoming project.
A Nigerian man’s life falls apart after he travels to London to reunite with his wife and daughter in the film “Londoner,” which took home the Red Sea Film Fund Award for best fiction feature at the Durban FilmMart. Produced by Apalowo through Polymath Pictures and Sarudzayi Marufu of Cato Street Productions, this production was additionally chosen for the Berlinale Co-Production Market earlier in the year.
As a filmmaker who has recently experienced the culture shock of moving from a densely populated city like Lagos, Nigeria to London, I can relate to Apalowo’s struggle to find a sense of belonging in a new place. Leaving behind the hustle and bustle of my home country, where personal space is a luxury that does not exist, I was eager to start anew in the U.K. However, I soon discovered that the opposite was true in London. The streets were quieter, the buildings taller, and the people more reserved – it felt as if I had landed on another planet.
In the same vein as his previous succinct and engaging films, “Londoner” is a story exploring themes of self-discovery and sense of belonging. It introduces us to Ayo, a Nigerian bank manager who journeys to London with the intention of reuniting with his loved ones. Upon arrival, however, he learns that his wife has left him for another man, leaving him stranded and uncertain in the bustling maze of London.
Apalowo found himself relating deeply to this tale, sharing that he’d frequently felt like a misfit during his upbringing. Born the eldest son, he was saddled with numerous predetermined goals from an early age. “Your life is already mapped out for you,” he explained. “You’re expected to attend school, earn a degree, secure a job, get married, and start a family.” He admitted to wrestling with these expectations. The challenge was compounded by his career choice – filmmaking – which, while esteemed in Nigeria’s burgeoning Nollywood industry, didn’t align with the aspirations of parents who sought to raise a lawyer or doctor amidst a culture of overachievers.
As a cinema devotee with roots in Nigeria and the U.K., I find myself constantly juggling between two worlds, neither of which feels like home in its entirety. I confess, I’m still on a quest to discover my tribe. When I’m in Nigeria, due to my time spent in the U.K., I feel incredibly out of place. I’m not fully embracing the Nigerian culture when I’m there. Conversely, when I’m in the U.K., I’m not British enough to fit in seamlessly.
The director’s decision to live in self-imposed exile is a common theme among Nigerians of his generation, many of whom leave the country in pursuit of better opportunities, sometimes without considering the potential repercussions. According to Apalowo, the trend of Nigerians emigrating, referred to as “japa,” is disrupting African family values. “Nigeria is known for its close-knit communities,” he explained. “However, with people constantly moving abroad in search of better lives, families are being torn apart.”
The director delved into themes of estrangement, solitude, and yearning in his heartfelt film “All the Colours of the World Are Between Black and White,” which portrays a subtle romance between two men. Despite a successful festival circuit, securing distribution in Nigeria proved to be a significant challenge for Apalowo. Homosexuality is outlawed in this country, carrying penalties including imprisonment, lashing, and even capital punishment.
Despite the challenges, the director successfully held the film’s African debut at the Africa International Film Festival in Lagos. He considered this a remarkable experience, labeling it as “one of the most memorable moments of my life and career.”
In my experience, going against family traditions and pursuing a career in filmmaking hasn’t changed the fact that I’m considered the black sheep among my relatives. My father, for instance, still struggles to grasp what I do. I can laugh about it now, but I understand where he’s coming from – it’s all rooted in love and concern for my future.
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2024-07-24 11:49