The Directors statement
“Tejiri” is a compelling film that delves into the intricacies of power, corruption, and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity. Set against the backdrop of an average African society, the story revolves around Tejiri, a young man whose life takes an unexpected turn when he is randomly thrown into prison for a crime he knows nothing about. As he struggles to comprehend the injustice he has been subjected to, the outside world begins to unravel the mystery of his disappearance. At its core, the film aims to explore the duality of society – both as a collective organism driven by political interests and as an entity that can profoundly impact individual lives. As we take the audience on a rollercoaster journey, witnessing the contrasting perspectives of an average African society grappling with greed and the constant manipulation of its politicians, while simultaneously examining the profound, life-altering effects such machinations can have on one person.
Tejiri’s displacement becomes a powerful allegory for the countless individuals who find themselves unjustly caught in the machinations of power-hungry figures. His experience echoes the struggles of Those marginalized and wronged by a system that often seems impervious to their pleas for justice. One meant to serve and protect them. Through his eyes, we hope to shine a light on the urgent need for social reform and an end to the exploitation of power. We also took creative liberty to reflect a fictional aspect of collective desire for our society: Being a forward-thinking, imaginative, and value-upholding one, through the character of detective Prempeh, who leads the investigation to find him.
Ultimately, “Tejiri” is a story of hope, resilience, and being alive whilst alive. Tejiri’s struggle embodies the indomitable spirit of the human soul, reminding us that even in times when our life/experiences may seem meaningless and defeating, it is also our responsibility to give it meaning; to find the lessons, learn and grow from and through it. As this, from our perspective, is what it means to be alive.
As the directors, our vision is to create an entertaining yet captivating, emotionally resonant film that transcends geographical and cultural boundaries. We aim to craft a compelling narrative that stays with the audience long after the credits roll, leaving them with a renewed sense of empathy and an unwavering desire to fight against the shadows that threaten to engulf us all. “Tejiri is an exploration of the human condition, a call for societal introspection, and a celebration of the unyielding human spirit in finding the light.
The stylistic choices in the film
Life can only be lived forward but understood backwards was our mantra behind crafting the non-linear, artistic style of the film. The visual language is an interesting cocktail of bold and intentional choices made around navigation the dynamic terrain of working with scarce resources, and barriers, which we converted into propellers for the visual Narrative. We like to think of the resulting artistic style as a convergence of tonal disparities intentionally done to Communicate the story’s theme – displacement.
Our stylistic choices for telling “Tejiri” were motivated by several key factors that aimed to enhance the storytelling and bring the film’s themes to life through a unique artist’s voice and captivating manner.
Dual perspectives: By adopting a god’s eye perspective, the film offers a dual-lens through which the story unfolds. This technique allowed the audience to simultaneously witness the broader societal dynamics at play while intimately following Tejiri’s journey. This duality added depth to the narrative, encouraging viewers to reflect on the interconnectedness of individual lives and collective societies.
Tension and suspense: The film’s stylized storytelling aimed to build tension and suspense throughout the plot. As Tejiri’s disappearance sparks an investigation, the audience is taken on an interesting journey to uncover the truth. By skillfully Weaving together multiple narrative threads, the film aimed to keep viewers engaged, and emotionally invested in the outcome. Immersion in the African experience: The stylistic approach sought to immerse the audience in an authentic African experience, capturing a unique story world.
Symbolism and allegory: The stylistic approach sought to utilize symbolism and allegory to convey deeper messages. The character of Tejiri, as a displaced young man facing unjust circumstances, symbolized the struggle of countless individuals against forces beyond their control. Symbolic visuals and metaphors were employed to add layers of meaning to the story, inviting the audience to engage in critical thinking and interpretation. Through the film’s visual and narrative language, the hope was to raise awareness of pressing social issues and inspire discussions on the need for change.
In summary, the stylistic approach of “Tejiri” Was carefully designed to serve as a unique powerful vehicle for storytelling and exploration of complex themes. By immersing the audience in a uniquely African experience, adopting a dual perspective, reflecting social realities, employing symbolism, and fostering emotional connections, the film aims to provide the audience with a uniquely refreshing, new entertaining storytelling experience, that feels nonetheless familiar.
ON LEADING THE PRODUCTION & FINDING THE STORY with Kwabena Eddie Mankata (Supervising Producer)
Tejiri is an audacious nonlinear poetic project with a core message that transcends borders. It is a film, which focuses on how a day in the life of a brilliant young boy can easily blur when the light is thrown on corruption in political arenas, prison congestion, and a poor justice system. It is fit for the screens of any audience. Finding a story like Tejiri could only stem from the practical experience of some individuals and thorough research across Ghana and Nigeria to ensure it mirrors the reality on ground to add our voice to many seeking solutions to these issues.
As the supervising Producer, I had a rare opportunity to guide the team to channel their energies appropriately, sticking to industry standards from pre-production to post-production, and finding solutions to problems quickly to ensure the script was well translated to screen. Preproduction was a round table discussion where casting, recruiting crew, and settling locations alongside negotiations were done for all to contribute and appreciate for their respective careers. Working with a fixed budget approved two years ago, Tejiri was no twelve-hour shift production. We wrapped at dawn and six hours later, we were back with heavy eyes however spirited that the frequent power outages could not sink our passion. Eight-day shoot of a 90-page, 135-scene script of a debut feature is a real test of resilience, prompt creativity, and passion that came too early for industry entrants. Yet the team pulled it off defying odds and pouring themselves into roles behind the camera and in front when it became necessary. Of course making Tejiri had appreciable problems in every department that did not reflect in the outcome. Perhaps the most overwhelming one came with postproduction; transferring files, challenges at all stages of editing, program crushing, and finding help with no budget to support but we did it.
Tejiri is not a film you see alone. It is a piece you call an audience to watch with and be informed. It was made by a team of selfless and passionate filmmakers with sweat, passion, fight and a little bit of crazy. I am proud of what we have achieved together.