I once directed a movie I didn’t understand – Kunle Afolayan

Kunle Afolayan has revealed that he once directed a movie despite not understanding its storyline.

The filmmaker shared the surprising experience at the third edition of Kunle Afolayan Productions (KAP) Film & Television Academy’s Reel Circle, an initiative for film enthusiasts to learn from industry experts.

Afolayan, who identifies as a narrative director, said the film, an installation project, was unfamiliar territory for him.

The 50-year-old award-winning producer said despite his reservations, the person who referred him for the job — with a significant payment of $40,000 — convinced him not to back out.

Afolayan said he attempted to clarify the script with the producer and sought input from others but still struggled to grasp the plot.

He said he decided to focus on other aspects of the film, such as utilizing natural light in the museum where they filmed.

Afolayan admitted that he remains unclear about the film’s meaning even after completing the project.

Although he did not mention the title, the producer said he was flown business class to five countries for the film’s premiere in 2007.

“I was asked to direct something I know nothing about. I tried to like bail out but somehow I was convinced that I could do it. But I knew, I did not know what I was going to do. I did not understand the story. It is an installation film, even at the time I didn’t know what installation film was,” he said.

“Before I agreed to it, I read the script, I did not understand it. I called someone 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 did not 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’.

“But he was like they are paying you $40,000, you have to do it. I said okay but I was like let us do an adaptation of a scene but even with it I did not know what to adapt. But because Biodun Aleja was there, he studied Performing Arts, so his literature is stronger. 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 equipments. It’s like someone throwing you into the ocean and asking you to start swimming. I am like I am the director, so I have to use that power. But then I have always wanted to shoot in a space where they have large windows, where I can have a ray of light.

“So I was focusing on other things, I did not understand the story. Up till now, after we shot the film, if I watch it again, I am like what was the story? There was no story but guess what? They flew me to five countries to premiere the film and they were flying me in business class since 2007.”

The academy also entered a partnership with the United States embassy in Nigeria to train aspiring filmmakers.