Tunde Olaoye, co-director of the blockbuster movie Everybody Loves Jenifa, has opened up about working with Nollywood star Funke Akindele during the filming of the record-breaking project.
In an exclusive interview with QEDNG publisher Olumide Iyanda, Olaoye recalled how Funke prepared the cast and crew for the demanding process, emphasising that the journey would involve sleepless nights and intense commitment.
“The producer, Funke Akindele, during the ice-breaking session of the production, told everyone, ‘Guys, we are here to work, and it’s going to be a lot of serious work. It’s going to be a lot of sleepless nights and if it requires reshoots, we just have to do it.’ It was tough, but we cracked it,” he said.
Olaoye, who ranks among the highest-grossing directors with a box office total of N1.125 billion, described Funke as a relentless creative whose military-style leadership can be challenging for many to handle.
“Funke is like a military commander. She’ll say, ‘We’re going to the mountain today to film this scene,’ and it doesn’t matter if you have a headache or cramps. She doesn’t take excuses when she’s chasing a goal,” he explained.
He added, “Her energy is on another level. A lot of people find it difficult to work with her because she is a restless creative, she has so much energy in her. She’s always looking to up her game and expects those around her to match her energy.
“If you’re not equally energetic or able to develop strategies to keep going even when exhausted, you might struggle to work with her. Her positivity and enthusiasm radiate through the entire team, inspiring everyone to bring their A-game.”
When asked about the pressure of surpassing the success of Funke’s earlier hit, A Tribe Called Judah, Olaoye admitted that the team felt the weight of expectations but prioritised creating a quality film.
“The record set by A Tribe Called Judah added pressure during pre-production and principal photography. We wanted to make a good film, but at the back of our minds, we knew we needed to outdo ourselves. Every creative’s goal is to make their next project better than the last,” he noted.
Released on December 13, 2024, Everybody Loves Jenifa is the highest-grossing Nigerian film of 2024, earning over N1.6 billion domestically.
The film’s success follows the N1.4 billion gross of A Tribe Called Judah, further solidifying Funke Akindele’s dominance in Nollywood.
A spin-off of the beloved Jenifa franchise, Everybody Loves Jenifa explores new challenges for the titular character, including a rivalry that threatens her charity work and public image.
The star-studded cast features Falz, Nancy Isime, Stan Nze, Omowunmi Dada, Layi Wasabi, Patience Ozokwor, Jide Kosoko, Juliana Olayode, Kamo, Tobi Makinde and Funke Akindele herself.
Tunde Olaoye’s impressive directing portfolio includes Lugard, Olola Aginju, Fools’ Day, Jenifa’s Diary, Married but Living Single and Awujale (The Biopic).
