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A Lucky Generation

A Lucky Generation is a dance expression that highlights the effects of change, modernisation and identity crisis within the Nigerian society, with Lagos as a visual reference point.

More so, we believe that this film acts as a means of remembering where we were in the past as a nation, a people, the Giant of Africa, and where would rather be in today’s times. Though it was created just after the lockdown era in 2020, four years later, in 2024, through this film, we attempt to ‘look back’ again. Not surprisingly, this time, we find ourselves yet again on the dawn of a new era: positive or otherwise. Beyond this, we try to impact several other themes as seen below:

Our film starts with a brief extract from A Lucky Generation, in the book, There was a Country by Chinua Achebe (2012). Afterwards, we see our Subject interact with various environments within Lagos state, Nigeria. Our Subject's face is barely visible from the beginning. The mask and skeletal costume are all symbols representing mystery, conflict (internal and external) and eventually, rediscovery and renewal.
The film ends with the Subject revealing his face, suggesting that he has found himself, but yet isn't satisfied with the results. It now poses a question as to whether he embarks on another journey to understand this Self or he allows the society dictate for him.

  • Oluwaseun Godwin Usman
    Director
    Enough, We Men, Warring Depths.
  • Busayo Olowu
    Key Cast
    Chaos.
  • David Omoh
    Production Assistant
  • Project Type:
    Experimental, Short
  • Runtime:
    3 minutes 40 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    October 30, 2020
  • Production Budget:
    80 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Nigeria
  • Country of Filming:
    Nigeria
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    FHD 30FPS (Shot on Samsung S8)
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Mobile Dance Film Festival
    New York City
    United States
    July 31, 2021
    North American Premiere
    Official Selection
Director Biography - Oluwaseun Godwin Usman

Oluwaseun Usman is a performer, videographer, scholar and aspiring creative director. As a firm believer in the use of art as a tool for social change, his works and creations raise questions about social constructs, the place of morality, and self-identity, all geared toward the liberation of the human mind from artificial barriers imposed by the society.
Oluwaseun Usman received his Bachelor’s degree from the Department of Creative Arts at the University of Lagos, Nigeria and is currently an associate choreographer and performer at Lightyear Entertainment. Upon recommendation from the Department of Creative Arts, University of Lagos, Nigeria, he was invited to create and perform SADPink, a breast cancer awareness performance commissioned by the British Council at the Lagos Theatre Festival in 2016. His advocacy for social change through his works granted him an invitation by the Federal Road Service Corps to perform alongside other artists at their 2016 and 2017 FRSC Convention, held at the Presidential Villa in Aso Rock, Abuja. Shortly after, he was appointed by members of the Indian Community in Lagos, as part of a committee to put up the first ever Indian-Nigerian Yoga gathering at the Office of the High Commission of India in Lagos, Nigeria and later on, the very first Indian-Nigerian musical theatre production — Gandhi ,the musical, as performed by Lightyear Entertainment, wherein he functioned as Assistant Choreographer, Actor and Dancer.
Oluwaseun has performed, directed and created works for numerous production companies within Lagos and Nigeria such as Arambe Productions, Zinarts Agency, Konkere Beats, Walking Words, AfroNation Portugal, Moist Beach, Oniru, Mosaic Productions and Seeing Through the Arts.
Also, he has had his films selected and screened across numerous screen dance festivals in Lagos, New York and Berlin.
Oluwaseun’s upcoming collaborative project with Temi-Ami Williams titled, ‘Journey to Wholeness’ is set to be released later in 2021 in selected theatre and fashion festivals in Africa and Europe.

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