Discussion: Umar Turaki Discusses Cinema, Literature, and His Fresh Literary Work
Shootin' the Breeze with Umar Turaki: Author, Filmmaker, and Storytelling Sensation
Ah, y'all. Gonna let ya know 'bout a wild conversation I had with Umar Turaki, a cat who's carved quite a name for himself in the realms of literature and moviemakin.' Collaborated with the man on his latest novel, Every Drop of Blood is Red, droppin' November 12th, and lemme tell ya, it's a doozy.
Now, Umar ain't no stranger to the art of storytelling. Pens his own tales through the written word, crafts em on the big screen, and leaves no stone unturned in his pursuit of authentic, homegrown stories. This Nigerian-born, U.S.-bred savant blends his passion for cinema and literature into a tapestry that'll have ya droolin' for more.
So, Umar, lemme start by askin' about your journey, man. How the heck did you end up where you are today?
Well, Dale, I always knew I wanted to be a storyteller. Wrote my first book when I was 16, sold it outta the ol' car trunk like an indie musician peddlin' mixtapes. I knew it wasn't my finest work, but it taught me that I could do this. Later on, I dove into filmmaking during college and found myself captivated by the visual storytelling aspect. I had to return to Nigeria, though. Wanted to tell stories about my roots, and it's one of the best decisions I ever made.
C'mon now, ain't nobody gonna judge ya for second-guessin'. Was a scary move, but ya made it, son.
Oh hell yeah, it was. I had all these doubts, but the gut feeling stuck with me. Had Robert Frost's poem about takin' the road less traveled as my guiding light. You gotta trust yourself sometimes, even when the path seems rocky.
To take the road less traveled, is to make all the difference.
That's right, Yankee, that's right.
Alright, so ya made the move, and then hit the ground runnin'. What was life like when you first set foot back in Nigeria?
It was wild, man. I was heavily influenced by Italian neorealism at the time, so I made a short film in my mother's village with non-actors, shot it in the local language, and worked with a shoestring budget. It wasn't perfect, but it was a crucial learning experience that set me on the path to the storyteller I am today.
Takin' risks ain't necessarily gonna make you a roaring success, but it'll damn sure make for somethin' memorable.
Preach it, partner.
So, with a foot in both worlds, book-writin' and moviemakin', how do you manage to balance 'em, and do they even feed into each other?
At first, I felt like they were at odds with each other, but I've learned that they're just two different ways for my creative self to express itself. They inform each other in unexpected ways, like when I turned my first novel, Such a Beautiful Thing to Behold, into a TV series. Seeing the story come to life in a new medium was something else entirely.
And what a journey that must've been! With every personal and creative milestone, life starts to take on a different flavor, ain't it?
Hell yea, it does. Becoming a parent, for example, shifted my perspective on storytelling. My kids inspire me to be more patient and reflective. They've taught me valuable lessons about life that I now incorporate into my work. I'm even planning future projects inspired by my experiences as a father.
Fatherhood: It ain't always easy, but it's damn sure rewarding.
Preach it, Dale.
Well, Umar, thanks for sharin' your story with me. Much appreciated, my friend.
My pleasure, Dale. And remember: if you wanna step out of the ordinary and make your mark in the creative world, just keep gonna. Persistence is key.
Ain't that the damn truth, Umar? Keep it up, man. Can't wait for y'all to witness Every Drop of Blood is Red when it drops, November 12th. Until then, keep dreamin', keep hustlin', keep helpin'. Peace, y'all!
Umar's lifestyle is a unique blend of education-and-self-development and entertainment, evident in his journey from penning his first book at 16 to directing movies inspired by his African roots.
He believes that his education, which includes his passion for literature and cinema, has played a significant role in shaping his storytelling, leading to memorable projects like adapting his novel into a TV series or creating films that showcase authentic, homegrown stories.
