MANTRA: god.unites.all_16082022

Overall, through his trust in his artistic expression and how he builds off structures and concepts in Blackqueer diasporic dialogue, Osadolor has created a project true to themselves and where they are heading, grounded in the ideals of the fluidity of her practices. Their interiority materializes through the aesthetic realm with their divinely beautiful corporeal form and dense atmospheric sonic reverberations.

Osadolor relays an introspective and poetic mantra about their relationship with their Nigerian Heritage, Blackqueerness, God, and how they maneuver around a world that continues to marginalize themselves and other Blackqueer folks, overall finding love in their own divinity. Osadolor means 'God Unites All' in their parent's native tongue, applying the meaning to many realms of his navigation of life, self-discovery, and realizations guides this film's atmospheric and dark sonic and visual progression. The film stars Osadolor in various locations and bodily expressions of movement and emotions. 

Osadolor's signature lofi and textured works with stark lighting and intricately composed scenes allow viewers to see and hear her interior self as their exterior self navigates the revelations of his never-ending self-discovery as a young Blackqueer Nigerian-American.

The sonic landscape is an evolved invitation into the depths of Osadolor's mind. The short film hints at the evolving direction Osadolor will be taking in their worldwide charting podcast 'a coming of age but, irl' (that produced the successful mini-series 'stroke my ego') that blurs the lines between introspection and conversation by navigating time, space, and sociality. The experimental audio format has the essence of a musical interlude with vocal manipulations, texturized sonic elements, and a lush ambient-esque instrumental.

  • Osadolor Osawemwenze
    Director
  • Osadolor Osawemwenze
    Writer
  • Osadolor Osawemwenze
    Producer
  • Osadolor Osawemwenze
    Key Cast
  • Osadolor Osawemwenze
    Editor, Lighting Director, and Sound Designer
  • Ebenezer Lobe
    Camera Work Assistant
  • Yosief Abraham
    Camera Work Assistant
  • Jonathan Williams
    Camera Work Assistant
  • Becca Crosse
    Camera Work Assistant
  • Kheshawn Wynn
    Camera Work Assistant
  • Asukulu Songolo
    Camera Work Assistant
  • Chinemere Uche
    Production and Lighting Assistant
  • Simon Covington
    Production and Lighting Assistant
  • Sky Walker
    Production and Lighting Assistant
  • Ian Partman
    Production and Lighting Assistant
  • Hlumelo Notshe
    Production and Lighting Assistant
  • Project Type:
    Experimental, Short, Student
  • Runtime:
    5 minutes 33 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    May 18, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    50 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    Yes - Stanford University
Director Biography - Osadolor Osawemwenze

I am a visual maker, media researcher, and sound designer. I find the most inspiration in the multiplicity of myself that is not so clearly defined or categorizable. My experiences, [physical, social, and cultural] environments, and media consumption have shaped and continue to shape my complex thoughts on gender, sexuality, race, class, religion, and overall life.

My multidisciplinary art practice includes nostalgic lofi videos, experimental sonic design, expressive photography, mixed media presentations of digital manipulations, texturized designs, and intricate yet fluid drawings. I expand my nuanced perspective on Blackqueerness as a young Nigerian from Texas.

In my globally charting podcast, "a coming of age, but irl," I offer entertaining insight on trends, pop culture, and creativity while blurring introspection and conversation through uniquely crafted sonic experiences.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

Words can’t begin to describe how much this film means to me. Such an important work that catalyzes my sonic and visual evolution. The video does more than speaks for itself, it allows for expansion beyond the 5:33 duration. I hope my fellow Blackqueer kinfolks feel something when listening to/watching this.

low-res, but never low quality

There is a certain opacity the Lofi audiovisual aesthetic have and the creativity and metaphorical possibilities that it affords. The agency to reveal and remain pixelated, grainy, blurry, and elusive. There is a distorting that the quality allows in disrupting the gaze of the view, allowing me to allow some privacy in my vulnerability and glimpse I express in my self-exploration. I feel aligned with the early Nollywood film D-I-Y approach to videography, reflecting not only the constrained by financial capital and technical infrastructure needed to accomplish high-quality production but also the creative and unique understandings of self, environments, and influences across the diaspora pouring into the art that reimagines new ways of being.