Dare Olaitan

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Dare Olaitan
Born (1990-11-28) November 28, 1990 (age 33)
Lagos
Alma materIllinois Weslyan University
Notable work
  • Ojukokoro
  • Blessing Knockout
  • Dwindle
  • Ile Owo
ParentOladipo Olaitan

Dare Olaitan (born November 28, 1990) is a Nigerian filmmaker, producer, writer, and director. He is best known for the film Ojukokoro (2016)[1][2] .The film received two nominations at the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA). he also directed Knockout Blessing (2018), which won Africa Movie Academy Awards in 2019, Dwindle, Ile Owo, Obara’M and Ègún.[3]

Early life[edit]

His father, Oladipo Olaitan was the financial secretary of Afenifere, a Yoruba cultural body .[4]

Olaitan studied Economics and Business Management at the Illinois Wesleyan University. While studying in Illinois, he started having an interest in filmmaking following the schools last project.[5]

Olaitan initially considered pursuing a Master’s degree in Business after completing his undergraduate degree. However, his renewed interest in filmmaking led him to a career change. He enrolled in the Cinematic Arts Department (formerly known as Colorado Film School)[6] at Community College of Aurora, Denver.

Career[edit]

Olaitan’s filmmaking career began during his National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) placement at a film production company in Ikeja, Lagos.[7]

His movie, Ojukokoro was nominated at the Africa Movie Academy Awards in 2018 for Best Screenplay and Best Nigerian Film.[8] During the production of Ojukokoro, he crossed paths with another film producer Olufemi Ogunsanwo who provided mentorship and industry specific guidance, facilitating Olaitan’s integration into the Nigerian film industry.[9][10]

In 2018, Olaitan wrote and directed Knockout Blessing,[11] a movie which explores the story of an ambitious female boxer who finds herself entangled in the world of political corruption. Knockout Blessing[12] was nominated for Best Nigerian Film and Best Visual Effects at the 2019 Africa Movie Academy Awards.[13]

Olaitan co-directed the film Dwindle (2021)[14] with Kayode Kasum. The film focuses on two men who hijack a car and re-purpose it as a makeshift taxi, and their fate takes a turn when they stumble upon a kidnaped governor. The following year he worked on Kayode’s musical Obara’M (2022).The film follows a young musician who struggles with her past mistakes after the death of her estranged father. The film was nominated for Best Movie West Africa in 2023 at Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards.[15]

In his interview with the Vanguard, he expressed his belief in the untapped potential of horror and psychological thriller genres within the Nollywood industry. Olaitan indicated a desire to explore these genres with the intention of crafting memorable cinematic experiences for audiences.[16]

According to Pulse News, he is the top 5 movie director in 2022 for his movie Ojukokoro.[17] Olaitan’s dive into the horror genre came in 2022 with his release of Ile Owo.[18] The film, which attracted mixed critical reception, centered on a female nurse that just left a bad relationship and seeks a fresh start and her life changes when she encounters a seemingly perfect man, who harbors dark secrets. The film was nominated for Best Picture Editor and Best Overall Movie in 2023 at Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards.[19] The movie was also made available on Netflix in 2023.[20]

In 2023, Olaitan continued expanding his filmography into the horror genre, with the horror-thriller Ègún.[21] The film's narrative revolves around an office where a seemingly innocuous package has supernatural contents, which forces the employees to fight for survival. In an interview with The Guardian, Olaitan mentions filmmakers Guillermo del Toro and Robert Rodriguez as directors that inspired him because they came from an industry with limited resources, similar to Nollywood and held on to their vision of reaching a more international audience.[5]

Filmography[edit]

Year Film Role Notes
Producer Director Writer
2016 Ojukokoro[9][1] Yes Yes Yes Got two nominations at AMAA in 2018
2018 Knockout Blessing[11] Yes Yes Yes Got two nominations in 2019 at AMAA
2021 Dwindle[14] Yes Yes Yes Starring Actor won an award at AMVCA and

actress was nominated at AMVCA in 2022

2022 Obara'M[15] Yes No No got nominated at AMVCA in 2023
2022 Ile Owo[18] Yes Yes Yes got two nominations and actress was nominated at AMVCA 2023

Awards and nominations[edit]

Year Award Category Film Result Ref
2018 Africa Movie Academy Awards Best Nigerian Film,

Best Screenplay

Ojukokoro Nominated [22]
2019 Africa Movie Academy Awards Best Nigerian Film,

Best Visual Effects

Knockout Blessing Nominated [3]
2023 Africa Magic Viewer's Choice

Awards

Best Movie West

Africa

Obara'M Nominated [23]
2023 Africa Magic Viewer's Choice

Awards

Best Overall Movie,

Best Picture Editor

Ile Owo Nominated [24]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "Ali Nuhu, Afiz Ayetoro, others shine in new Nollywood film Ojukokoro". www.premiumtimesng.com. Retrieved 2024-03-25.
  2. ^ REinvented, Nollywood (2018-11-14). "Ojukokoro (Greed) | Nigerian & Nollywood Movies". Nollywood Reinvented. Retrieved 2024-04-01.
  3. ^ a b Wande, S.-Davies (2019-09-19). "JUST IN: AMAA releases nominations list for 2019". Tribune Online. Retrieved 2024-04-02.
  4. ^ Jannah, Chijioke (2017-07-24). "Afenifere chieftain, Oladipo Olaitan, reveals man behind Nigeria's woes". Daily Post Nigeria. Retrieved 2024-04-13.
  5. ^ a b Davo, Bernard (2019-01-28). "Dare Olaitan Is Here to Take Nollywood by Storm". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. Retrieved 2024-03-26.
  6. ^ "CFS Transition". Community College of Aurora. Retrieved 2024-03-26.
  7. ^ Adedayo, Adedamola (2024-02-29). "My Life in Nollywood: Dare Olaitan". The Culture Custodian (Est. 2014.). Retrieved 2024-04-12.
  8. ^ "AMAA 2018 Nominations List – Africa Movie Academy Awards". 2023-09-28. Retrieved 2024-03-26.
  9. ^ a b "Ojukokoro unites Wale Ojo, Saka, Linda Ejiofor, others". Vanguard. January 21, 2017.
  10. ^ Nigeria, Guardian (2020-12-02). "Femi D.Ogunsanwo and Tunde Leye unveil "Finding Hubby" to raving reviews". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. Retrieved 2024-04-08.
  11. ^ a b Adeniyi, Enioluwa (2018-10-09). "Linda Ejiofor, Tope Tedela To Star In 'Knock Out Blessing'". Naija News. Retrieved 2024-04-12.
  12. ^ Ugobude, Frank (2019-01-02). ""Knock Out Blessing" is an absolutely entertaining movie". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 2024-03-29.
  13. ^ Nseyen, Nsikak (2019-09-19). "AMAA releases nominees for 2019 awards [FULL LIST]". Daily Post Nigeria. Retrieved 2024-03-29.
  14. ^ a b Ezema, Patrick (2022-09-10). "Dwindle | Nigerian & Nollywood Movies". Nollywood Reinvented. Retrieved 2024-03-31.
  15. ^ a b Kalu, Esther (2023-06-24). "MOVIE REVIEW: 'Obaram's brilliant musical, cinematographic elements make it a near masterpiece". Premium Times Nigeria. Retrieved 2024-03-31.
  16. ^ ""I'm pioneering psychological thrillers in African cinemas" – Movie director, Dare Olaitan". Vanguard.
  17. ^ Udodiong, Inemesit (2022-12-17). "Top 5 Movie Directors of 2022 [Pulse Picks]". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 2024-04-13.
  18. ^ a b REinvented, Nollywood (2023-05-23). "Ile Owo (House of Money) | Nigerian & Nollywood Movies". Nollywood Reinvented. Retrieved 2024-04-09.
  19. ^ Kalu, Esther (2023-04-17). "AMVCA 2023: Anikulapo, Brotherhood, others battle for best movie crown ( Full Nominee List)". Premium Times Nigeria. Retrieved 2024-04-02.
  20. ^ "MOVIE REVIEW: Ile Owo: Hazy storyline that offers no logical explanation for events, characters". www.premiumtimesng.com. Retrieved 2024-04-13.
  21. ^ Oloruntoyin, Faith (2023-11-21). "'Egun' opens with ₦6.1 million at Nigerian Box Office". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 2024-03-29.
  22. ^ Nigeria, Guardian (2018-08-04). "See The Full List Of AMAA Nominees". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. Retrieved 2024-04-02.
  23. ^ Olufemi, Damilola (2023-04-17). "FULL LIST: 2023 AMVCA nominated actors, movies, writers". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 2024-04-02.
  24. ^ Nseyen, Nsikak (2023-04-17). "AMVCA releases nominees for 2023 awards [FULL LIST]". Daily Post Nigeria. Retrieved 2024-04-01.
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