Sony Future Filmmaker Awardee Olawumi Hassan Reveals Inspiration Behind her Documentary “Irun Didi”

Olawumi Hassan recently discussed her inspiration for her award winning documentary, “Irun Didi,” in an exclusive interview with The Nollywood Reporter. “Making my hair is a common experience for me, especially as an African woman. It inspired me to tell this story. ‘Ìrún Dídì’ is my first film, and I approached it as a way to practice my filmmaking skills and share a story I find interesting.”

Hassan emphasized the importance of ensuring the cultural significance of hair plaiting resonated with diverse audiences. “Many African cultures share similarities, but we are also very diverse. In Nigeria alone, there are over 500 tribes. By focusing on our shared traditions in hair plaiting, I aimed to highlight the cultural significance despite our differences.”

The documentary was produced with the help of hairstylist Adekunle Ganiyat, one of Hassan’s childhood hairstylists. “I wanted to cover various hairstyles in a short time, and 3Ganiyat’s expertise was invaluable. She helped me decide which styles to include and suggested more options when I needed them.”

Hassan also credited her cinematographer for the documentary’s visual appeal. “Beauty was a key concept, so I communicated with my cinematographer to capture as many beauty shots as possible. We used close-up shots to detail the hair plaiting process, which added to the documentary’s aesthetic.”

Reflecting on the impact of “Ìrún Dídì,” Hassan expressed hope that viewers gained a deeper understanding of this art form. “One of my main goals was to educate. I hope non-Yoruba viewers learned more about Yoruba culture and that all viewers appreciate hair plaiting as the beautiful art form it is.”

The production faced challenges, including the mysterious loss of some footage. “Two weeks after shooting, we realized we had lost the first half of our clips. We had to reshoot two months later because of scheduling conflicts. It was a setback, but it didn’t stop us.”

Hassan’s advice to aspiring filmmakers and cultural preservers is to act. “Go for it! In a world that changes rapidly, it’s important to preserve and protect our culture. Change can coexist with tradition. Even a small documentary can make a difference.”

“Ìrún Dídì,” which translates to “hair plaiting” in Yoruba, won the Nonfiction category at the Sony Future Filmmaker Awards, held on May 30, 2024, in Los Angeles.

The documentary explores the art of hair plaiting and its connection to self-love and cultural preservation. It also highlights how this traditional practice empowers individuals and maintains cultural heritage across generations.