On today's episode, my guest is the multi-talented Akinola Davies Jr. We chat about his career in filmmaking, music and collaborations with other creatives. We talk about certain perspectives of the Black Experience, discussing projects that have included BBC's 'Black to Life' about the oft overlooked, and mostly forgotten stories of black British figures.
We also go in length about filming projects in Nigeria, namely his award winning Short Film, Lizard, and how the film came into existence; his shooting of the Durbar Festival in Nigeria; the 'Unity is Strength' project in collaboration with fellow artist Ruth Ossai in conjunction with Kenzo. We also talk about his approach of telling a different visual perspective of Fela Kuti in 'One Day go be One Day', via the stories of the people who knew the musical legend.
Akin and I discuss our cultural heritage of being Yoruba and Nigerian, and the influences it has on him as a visual storyteller; a particular historial figure he would invite for dinner; life anecdotes and it's ups and downs, but importantly, his approach to living life and a few of the quotes and affirmations that continually encourage him.
Akinola Davies is a BAFTA nominated and Sundance award-winning Filmmaker, Visual Artist, and Music Curator, whose work spans nations to explore themes of community, race, spirituality, identity and gender, telling stories that bridge the gap between traditional and millennial communities. His first narrative short film ‘Lizard’ premiered at the 2020 BFI London Film Festival and was selected for the Raindance Film Festival. As an individual Akinola was selected for the Berlinale Talents 2020 Collective and was named one of Screen Daily’s ‘Stars of Tomorrow’ alongside Emma Louis Corrin, Paul Mescal and more. Most recently, Akin won the Sundance Grand Jury Prize in Short Film for ‘Lizard’ and the short is now nominated for a BAFTA. The film has since picked up the Best Narrative prize at Philadelphia’s prestigious Blackstar film festival. As part of Akinolas visual practice has had 2 solo art shows; his first at the 1.1 Gallery in Basel and at the Dupont underground in Washington D.C. Equally he participated in numerous group shows nameley Les Urbannes in Lausanne and Kunsthal Rotterdam. Akinola has become a go to creative in the fashion industry working with brands such as Gucci, Acne Studios, COS, Kenzo, Louis Vuitton and the like on multiple creative projects, in front of and behind the camera. Alongside his work in narrative film and fashion, Akin has directed music videos for the likes of Dev Hynes and Neneh Cherry.
Thanks for listening to the episode. I'd like to thank my guest for their time, insight and being a great sport!
I would also like to thank my producer, Ashanti Omkar, for all her hard work.
If you'd like to be a guest, drop me a line at theswingingpalmtree@gmail.com.
Keep Rising & Thriving. Aṣẹ!