Filmmaker Jide Awobona has explained why he chose to play a female character in his latest film, Rise With Me, describing the role as a deliberate creative choice.
Speaking in an interview with Potpourri, Jide said he constantly seeks new challenges in his work. “To start with, for every movie I produce, I always aim to do something I have not done before,” he said.
“Aside from having a fantastic story, I love to include a wow factor in every project. There has to be something memorable to hold on to. There has to be a strong message.”
He said trying unusual roles has become part of his identity as a filmmaker. “Those who are great followers of my work already know that Jide Awobona is known for doing something new, something out of the norm. I did that with Inspector Jero, I did the same with Amma, and I have done it with some of my previous movies,” he said.
Jide explained that he had to physically prepare for the role by altering his body. “I stopped going to the gym three months before the shoot. I shed a lot to slim down, making my body flexible like a canvas we could paint on,” he said.
He also spoke about making changes to his appearance. “I had to shave all my body hair except for the hair on my head. Any part of my body that had hair that made me look like a man, I had to remove,” he said.
According to him, Rise With Me is meant to pass a message beyond entertainment. “Rise With Me is not just a movie, it is advocacy material,” Jide said, adding that the film focuses on women supporting one another and addressing personal struggles often hidden from public view.
