Tolulope Akande, the director of Dead Flowers, Red Roses, has said the short film marked a turning point in his creative identity as a filmmaker.
The queer-centred short, inspired by a poem of the same title by Mazpa Ejikem Ekejiuba, blends poetry and cinema to explore identity, betrayal, personal growth and internal conflict.
Speaking with The Nollywood Reporter in a brief interview, Akande said the project helped him move beyond experimentation into a more defined creative voice.
“The film made me find my voice. Compared to my previous work, I was mostly experimenting and trying new things, but with Dead Flowers, Red Roses, I leaned fully into the story. It became more personal. It was exciting because I had to blend poetry with cinema,” he said.
He noted that the film reflects key elements of his directing style, including symbolism, surrealism and influences drawn from his Yoruba heritage.
Akande said the creative process helped him better understand his artistic choices and direction going forward.
“I understand better now as a director what informs my choices. It feels like the beginning of something different in how I make films,” he said.
Although inspired by the poem, Akande clarified that the film is not a direct adaptation. Instead, it draws from the emotional tone and imagery of contrast between beauty and decay.
“It is about the feeling of finding self and identity. That emotional core is what shaped the characters and the narrative. Vincent and OJ are not characters in the poem, but they are built from its emotional foundation,” he said.
He added that he secured approval from the publisher and informed the poet, noting plans to further engage with him.
Addressing perceptions around queer representation, Akande said he hopes the film challenges reductive labels.
“One misconception is that queer people are confused. Labels or no labels, they are human first. We should not reduce these characters to just labels,” he said.
He added that Dead Flowers, Red Roses centres on human connection beyond societal judgment.
