Writer Cynthia Dozie-Onwusoh says loneliness often finds its way into her creative work because it is an emotion she has experienced over the years, a reality that influenced the story behind Guguru Studios’ upcoming short film The Autograph of Nothingness.
Speaking with The Nollywood Reporter (TNR), Dozie-Onwusoh explained that themes of loneliness, isolation and grief sit at the heart of the Moses Ipadeola-directed film. She added that the use of metaphors, a recurring feature in both her poetry and storytelling, is something she particularly enjoys as a creative.
Regarding the prominence of loneliness in The Autograph of Nothingness, Dozie-Onwusoh said the emotion continues to shape how she approaches certain stories.
“Sometimes it feels less like a feeling and more like a person, shaping the way people see themselves and the world around them,” she says.
For the film, she was interested in exploring how loneliness can quietly take hold when given enough space, feeding on silence and distance until it begins to alter the world around it.
Dozie-Onwusoh also acknowledged the contributions of the cast and crew, particularly producer Mautin Tairu, whom she worked closely with during the script development process. According to her, his input helped deepen the story and expand it into a reflection of everyday struggles.
She also spoke about collaborating with Moses Ipadeola and Okwong Fadanama, whose work she had long admired from afar. What stood out most to her, she said, was their interpretation of the story and the care they brought to translating it from page to screen.
“I felt particularly at ease knowing that they connected with the material and understood what we were trying to achieve. For me, that’s where the magic begins when the team truly believes in the story and brings their own vision to it,” she adds.
As one of the writers of The Autograph of Nothingness, Dozie-Onwusoh believes the project stands out because it addresses issues many Nigerians can relate to. While loneliness remains central to the story, she noted that the film also explores men’s mental health and the emotional realities of the ‘japa’ experience.
She said the story examines the distance migration can create between loved ones and the relationships that are often reshaped by it. At its core, the film asks why so many people feel compelled to leave home in search of better opportunities and what that decision costs them emotionally.
Dozie-Onwusoh adds that she is particularly eager for audiences to see how the film approaches loneliness in a grounded and relatable way.
“It’s something many people experience but don’t always talk about, and I hope they’ll connect with the story through that shared understanding.”
