POETRY SHORT FILMS
POETRY SHORT FILMS
Embedded Files
David Odiase Pitch Video.mp4OWBA COO-COO
OWBA COO-COO
Synopsis
OWBA COOCOO is a spoken word short film that chronicles African history and humanizes the experience of Black slaves as they crossed the Door of No Return to the wooden sea vessel, embarking on a horror-filled voyage to the New World. Even today, we still feel the bane of these events, a reality Owba Coocoo confronts in its narrative. Albeit there exists a plethora of works, both visual and textual, on the general slave experience, very few works by African storytellers focus on the slave ship itself. It was more than just a vessel of conveyance to the New World; it was a place where Black slaves from diverse backgrounds formed a general language for communication, shared stories and songs, and developed a nascent culture. Owba Coocoo seeks to bridge this narrative gap. Created, written, and performed by David Odiasse, with creative direction and co-writing by Muyiwa Adeola Babayomi, the film ensures that the experiences of those who endured this journey are remembered and that their perseverance is celebrated..
EXPERIMENTAL SHORT FILMS
EXPERIMENTAL SHORT FILMS
Open Line
Open Line
Synopsis
Open Line was a finalist at the 2023 Emmys' International Young Creative Award. We see a young man place a phone call to the British Museum, seeking to inquire from the souls of his ancestors when they will be coming home. it is a response to the conversations from stakeholders, held at the Global Convening for the Restitution of African Heritage, recently held in Accra Ghana, by @opensocietyfoundations As an African who hails from the Great Benin Kingdom, with many of our cultural artefacts (and in some cases human remains) stolen and taken to western museums such as @britishmuseum, this project is my way of advocating for reparations for victims of colonial injustice. it was co-produced with cinematographer, Femi Oyedokun.
PERFORMANCE PIECES
PERFORMANCE PIECES
Rain Is Not the Cloud's Last Parade
Rain Is Not the Cloud's Last Parade
Synopsis
RAIN IS NOT THE CLOUD'S LAST PARADE is a film that employs multidisciplinary artforms such as poetry, sound and visual arts, performance, and fire breathing, as a portal for delving into the complexities of life in Nigeria. It reflects on the country's tumultuous history, addressing themes like police brutality and tribal and political instability, showcasing our struggles, but not without reminding us that hope and resilience persist even amid challenges. it was directed and co-produced with multidisciplinary artist - Uhunoma Charles.
Are we mad or can you hear the music? performed at Akebulan 2023.mp4Are We Mad or Can You Hear the Music?
Are We Mad or Can You Hear the Music?
Synopsis
A co-curated performance piece titled "Are We Mad or Can You Hear the Music?" at Akebulan, Ghana, co-produced with Ghanaian movement artist Nela Elle and scripted by Muyiwa Babayomi. it leans into the events of the 1518 dance epidemic in Strasbourg to explore the imperceptible cadences of revolution embedded in our subconscious as Africans. This work invites contemplation on the profound ways we fantasize about rebellion using the intricacies of dance expression for positive societal transformation. The piece lends itself to the subconscious rhythm of change and revolution, exploring the interplay between historical and contemporary expressions of resistance. As the cast moves through the evocative choreography, each step and beat challenges perceptions and explores the interwoven threads of unspoken groans as demonstrated in the dance movements.
Clairvoyance
Clairvoyance
Synopsis
Clairvoyance is a performance piece that personifies the concept of limits and inhibitions, as an extension of the spirit self, postulating mind and matter as one inseparable entity. It could also be considered as a metaphor for our subconscious search for sixth sense clarity. it was co-produced with Ghanian movement artist and choreographer, Nela Elle
DOCU-POETRY
DOCU-POETRY
BIAFRA: A NATION UNDERWATER, ON FIRE
BIAFRA: A NATION UNDERWATER, ON FIRE
Synopsis
BIAFRA: A NATION UNDERWATER, ON FIRE Is a 3-episode docu-poetry series adaptation of the Nigerian Civil War. The eponymous title itself 'A Nation Underwater On Fire' paints a picture of how a deep sea Country submerged in water (symbolizing its potential for coexistence and tranquility) still managed self-immolation by fire. This telegraphs the lucid objective of the project aside from its pedagogical aim. It was co-produced with cinematographer John Chizoba Vincent.
SERIES EPISODES
SERIES EPISODES
TIGERCLAW
TIGERCLAW
(EPISODE 1)
Tiger Claw is the first of 3 episodes, of a Poetry documentary series titled BIAFRA: NATION UNDERWATER ON FIRE. It is an educational content that employs documentary footage and spoken word poetry to tell the moving tale of the Nigerian civil war which lasted from 1967 - 1970. Tiger Claw is the name given to the first military operation to recapture Biafran territories from the seceded Igbo government, the resultant of which lead to two and half years of the war, there were about 100,000 overall military casualties, while between 500,000 and 2 million Biafran civilians died of starvation. Special tribute is paid here to the person and legacy of Christopher Okigbo, a widely acclaimed poet and soldier who died fighting in the war and till this day is regarded as one of Africa's greatest poets.
OAU
OAU
(Episode 2)
OAU is the second of 3 episodes, of the Poetry documentary series titled BIAFRA: NATION UNDERWATER ON FIRE.
Named after Operation OAU (September 2 – October 15, 1968) was a battle between Nigerian 3 Marine Commando Division (3MCDO) and Biafran 12 Division in modern day south-eastern Nigeria. Operation OAU was an intermittent battle that may have resulted in over 25,000 deaths on both sides. Although the Biafran soldiers were outnumbered, they were able to retain control of Umuahia and eventually recapture the cities of Owerri and Aba.
TAILWIND
TAILWIND
(Episode 3)
Tail-Wind is the last of 3 episodes, of the Poetry documentary series titled BIAFRA: NATION UNDERWATER ON FIRE.
Operation Tail-Wind (January 7 – 12, 1970) was the final military conflict between Nigeria and Biafra. The operation took place in the towns of Owerri and Uli, both of which were captured by Nigerian forces. The operation ended with General Odumegwu Ojukwu fleeing to the Ivory Coast and then president of Biafra Philip Effiong surrendering to Olusegun Obasanjo.
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