Director Diji: Ghana Jollof is a reward for my hard work

Ghana Jollof is a happy gift that came during my saddest moment in life.

I’ve always wanted to talk to Director Diji about his work. He is a happy guy; his joy is contagious and it’s obvious to the blind that he is passionate about filmmaking. Everybody loves Director Diji. He brings positive vibes to the room. He’s one to watch out for in the movie industry. We had a conversation about his new project for Showmax, Ghana Jollof, married life, among other interesting subjects. Read the interview below:

At what point did you know that you were going to be a film director?

Not to sound cliché, but it’s been since I was young. Although I didn’t know what it was back then, I was fascinated when I watched Kunle Kelani’s Saworoide. I would say that years ago. 

What inspired you to choose this career path?

 I would say it’s more of being inquisitive. I grew up in a place where I watched a lot of cultural performances. It was fascinating to me whenever I saw films. I was always wondering how they came up with everything. Out of curiosity, I decided to go into filmmaking to know how they did all these films. When I finally got to know how they did it, I decided to be a film director because I found it interesting.

The most influential people in your life as a director would be?

Tunde Kelani, Kunle Afolayan - those are the two people that I know that I always see and want to be like, even better. I look up to Tolu Ajayi. I don’t have a lot of them. I like Tyler Perry when you talk about outside Nigeria. He inspires me because of his work.

You recently directed Ghana Jollof? Tell me about the project – getting the script, being invited to be the director, the experience with cast and crew, and filming in two different countries?

I would say Ghana Jollof is a reward for my hard work, consistency and passion for filmmaking. It is a happy gift that came during my saddest moment in life. It happened two days after I lost my dad. At that point, I had to choose between going for the biggest project in my life and mourning my dad. I met Basketmouth online; he had seen some of my projects. Ghana Jollof happened; he told me to read the script and let him know. It’s a type of opportunity you see and don’t want to miss out on. 

I loved the script immediately after I read it. I met with the crew; spoke with some of the actors to get to know them. Everything went well when we started filming. We filmed for thirty days in Nigeria and Ghana. Honestly, it wasn’t tough for me. I worked with the best cast and crew. They made the work easy for me. Shout out to everyone. Ghana Jollof premieres exclusively on Showmax on October 22nd. 

What should the audience expect from this movie?

It is just basic entertainment, laugher, anger – everything. It’s a show that has everything. You will watch and not want to stop until you finish.

My first encounter with you was during About a Boy. Although it’s yet to be released officially, it’s done good rounds at festivals. Is there something you’d like to say about that project?

About A Boy is also my debut feature film as a director. I give more accolades to my producers – those are the people who had the vision. My producer happened to be the writer also. He must have seen the vision for the movie and needed a good director to make it come alive. When I got the script, I didn’t read past ten pages before I knew I was going to direct it. It is the kind of movie I like – that touches issues. It creates awareness about mental health. About a Boy has won awards like the Nollywoodweek Film Festival in France. It got the highest nominations at this year’s Toronto International Nollywood Festival (TINF). I can’t wait for people to watch the movie. Let’s see what that does for everybody –the crew, the DP, the producers, the PM, everyone. It is an amazing film, and I am proud to be a director of About a Boy.

You are one of those filmmakers who seem to understand how to use social media to promote their work. Have you always been like that? If not, at what point did you realize it’s a tool to attract a new audience and network?

Honesty, when people say I’m one of the people who use social media, I wonder why filmmakers or creatives or business owners don’t use social media. The networking opportunity there is huge. I’ve always been someone who knows how effective social media is. It’s not just about people within my circle. Getting to know how these works have been able to help me promote me and my films. Millions of people see these things. It’s the easiest way to promote you. I can be in my room, tweet and, millions of people see it. While in school, I couldn’t work on movies; I started as a PR person. I used to work with people like Adekunle Gold, 9ice and co. I understood the effect of social media. When I wanted to start, I didn’t have access to big people. Social media has done more good to me than any bad.

What social media tips would you give other filmmakers?

There’s practically no tip. It’s just you putting your work out and let people see your work.

What’s the best project you’ve worked on so far?

Honestly, I will say all my projects have been my best. All of them have done what I intended them to do. They’ve all been my best

I’m not sure if you want to talk about this but let me try. I’m sorry about the loss of your dad. What has changed since he passed on, and how have you been coping?

I’ve been coping, but it’s just still unbelievable. I don’t think I have fully digested the info that my dad is gone and not coming back. It’s been so sad. There are times when you are happy, and you get sad that he’s gone. I’ve not fully processed it yet.

What was your relationship with him?

He was a very good man; he is a father, and even till now, he is still a father. We were very close. He was always on my matter. He did everything out of loving his child and wanting the best for his child. When I got Ghana Jollof, I cried. Even today, when we dropped the trailer, I felt so bad and wished he was still alive. We were close.

Would you like to give us a sneak peek into your love life? How does it feel being with the love of your life?

Well, it feels good. The bible says, “He who finds a wife, finds a good thing”. I’ve found mine, and it’s been a blessing since. It feels good to be somebody’s husband. She’s an amazing woman; she supports me, knows me and wants to be there for me.

If you were to give your colleagues a relationship tip, what would it be?

Omo, Find who you wan find, and stick with the person. There’s no time for here and there. But, not everyone wants to be in a relationship. If you desire it, go for it and pray to God to help.

Five things that inspire you

First, I want to be successful. Second, I want to impact lives. The thing is, I don’t know if I’ve thought about it. The third is enjoyment. Also, creating inspires me. When I see people creating breathtaking stuff, I get inspired. It makes me feel like I want to create something like that. And yeah, love too.

What new projects are you working on?

I have scripts I am reading, but I have not decided which one I want to do yet.

If you had the power to change one thing in Nollywood, what would it be?

I will like the movie industry to go far like the music industry. Let’s be accepted everywhere in the world. I want us to keep creating great stuff. Art is subjective; what I want might not be what someone else wants. Let it just be a profitable industry, and people should enjoy the benefit.

What is your thought process? How do you prepare for a shoot?

One, I read scripts. I ask myself questions. I can be like all the characters in the story. I go for location recee with the team. I watch reference videos, get to know what I want to do and have production meetings. Sometimes, I check mood boards and create mood boards. I get myself into the script.

Recommend five movies to watch

I will give you plenty: Three Idiots, Queen of Kwate, Saworoide, Figurine, October 1st, Like Stars on Earth, Beast of No Nation.

What are you listening to at the moment?

Gone Far – Zinoleesky. One of my best songs is Star by Fireboy.

Advice to anyone reading this

Keep working, keep praying to God, and keep being consistent. Believe in God. He is the maker of everything. Enjoy life while you can.

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