AFRIFF Diaries: Day 2
How do you act normal in John Boyega’s presence?
Seyi, Matilda, Eva and I after seeing Dynamite
Today started like I expect almost every day this week to start: me in front of a screen, tapping on my keyboard and sharing thoughts on the films I saw the day before. I was sat on the floor, my iPad on the bed and my brain trying to turn my thoughts and scribbling into coherent sentences. Even trying to wax lyrical in this letter is difficult because my brain is currently mush but let’s go through the details of the day!
Breakfast was a really good sandwich my friend Bolu got for me, I will not be sharing where he got it from because I’m gatekeeping but I’ll give you one hint: Banky W. I continued writing, moving from the room to the parlour, trying to beat many deadlines. I had a meeting by 3 and a screening by 4:30. Sometimes I wonder why I do this balancing act—a job, school and film journalism—because my body and mind often crumble and shut down out of sheer stress. It hasn’t happened yet though so let’s ball!
I got ready and headed out with Tobi while I attended my meeting in the car, slightly distracted but present at least. We sat at the food court while I tried to participate in my meeting, my eyes steady on the time because we needed to meet our screening of Dynamite: a short film inspired by a 5 track EP by Kiruukah, Ifeoma Chukwuogo’s music moniker. She’s important to today’s letter so make sure you remember her name.
Watching Dynamite with an audience was a treat, it reminded me of the communal experience of not just any cinema, but a Nigerian cinema. The side comments, the heavy laughs, the egging on of characters in love, the cheers at a sensual kiss, we had it all. A small sadness formed in my belly as I remembered our economic reality, the way the joy of communal film watching has been stolen from us and the bleak future that exists without it. Anyway, Dynamite was good, a sensual take on a pop star trapped in a controlling marriage and the freedom of a forbidden love with her bass player. This film was a primer, I’d say, because it prepared me for the greatness of my next watch, Phoenix Fury.
Before that next watch though, I met Eva, an internet friend covering the festival for What Kept Me Up’s socials. A vibrant ball of energy and film takes, she asked me to tag along for a press meet and greet with John Boyega. I had an hour to kill so I agreed immediately. We got to Art Hotel and met people waiting: press, actors, government folks, everyone wanted a piece of Boyega. He arrived and toured the room, cameras trailing his every move and lights never leaving his face. Finally, we got into a room and he asked us to introduce ourselves. Panic.
I had never introduced myself in a journalist position before, it’s a thing I do that often doesn’t feel real. I stare at screens a lot and tap at my keyboard sharing thoughts few people read. I don’t feel inadequate, no that’s not it, I just feel its work I do for myself, to fulfill the desires my love for films asks me. But today, I had to speak it and make it real. I took the mic, introduced myself and my past work only to meet an excited reception: people in the room knew what I did. I wasn’t writing into an echo chamber, people were reading. I turned to Eva who was even more excited than me and had captured the moment. Validating after the shit year I’ve had.
Well, that was fucking dramatic.
Anyway, I snuck out of the meeting to catch up with the screening of Phoenix Fury, a story of a woman who is seeking revenge after a lifetime of pain and loss. This summary doesn’t capture the breadth of excellence that exists in this film. Easily the best one I’ve seen so far, Ifeoma Chukwuogo (remember the name?) produces, writes and directs a feature that matches ambition with skill. I’m no film marketer but this film deserves a theatrical run, to tap into the remnants of our communal cinema and give the world a large window into Ifeatu—the main character’s—life.
We shuffled out of the theatre, giddy with excitement and buzzing with thoughts and feelings. I snuck into the other theatre where the cast had taken to the front to receive the adulation of applause. I saw Onyinye Odokoro who played a key character in the film fight back tears. I first met her at church in Calabar, a nursing student with acting dreams now premiering films at film festivals and reminded myself that truly, anything is possible.
Today was a lot in the best way. I saw films I enjoyed, I heard from an audience I never believed existed and I found peace that with time, everything I want will happen. Let’s keep on working then.