Steven Olugbenga Eniraiyetan’s beautiful short is a rallying cry for people to chase their dreams

No matter how much a parent loves their child, sometimes the weight of expectation they place upon them proves too much. In some ways, it might be exactly this love that fuels this expectation, a desire for their child to reach their full potential and lead a fulfilled, steady and happy life. This experience sits at the heart of Steven Olugbenga Eniraiyetan’s short film A Warrior’s Dance, but from 14-year-old Tobi’s perspective, a teenager who finds himself at a crossroads between his love for dancing and his father’s traditional vision for his future.

Steven describes the film as “semi-autobiographical”; he comes from a “big bizarre creative family”, who spent much of their time playing instruments, dancing and singing at the “wonderfully loud” Nigerian church in Peckham, for which Steven’s father was the pastor. Despite this, a creative career path wasn’t one that was expected of Steven and his siblings. “Although I come from a creative family, the arts were always looked down upon because my father believed that being born in England was a privilege and that Africans are not afforded the same opportunities as their white counterparts, and that a more academic approach to my future would serve me better,” says Steven. “For several years I too believed this.”

Much like Tobi, Steven would still sneak out to go to dance class, and always played the lead in productions at school. Though the real turning point came when Steven stood in as a runner on his friend cinematographer Stil Williams’ music video shoot. “One of the first jobs I did on set was a wet down of a massive studio,” recalls Steven. “I was not sure why we had to wet the floor but the way the floor lit up from the reflection of the lights on the water I knew right there and then that I was in the right place.”

This fascination with atmosphere has now translated beautifully into own work. A Warrior’s Dance is deeply cinematic, it immerses you in the story seamlessly. You feel as though you’re walking down the school corridors with Tobi, stood in the kitchen with him as he pleads for his parents to let him dance at his school’s cultural show, and watching on the sidelines as he passionately practises in a deserted warehouse. This was a key goal of Steven’s, he wanted to capture the “cinematic essence” of Tobi’s inner world, “a realm of boundless imagination and creativity”.

Another stylistic means through which Steven captures a sense of Tobi’s character is the use of stop motion. Scenes throughout A Warrior’s Dance travel from Tobi playing with figurines to us then physically being within this make-believe, handmade universe. “It serves as a window into Tobi’s mind, a space where he finds solace and freedom,” says Steven. “I wanted to capture Tobi’s innocence even though he is a teenage boy.” Moreover, giving Steven control of the texture, shape and colours of these scenes, it also allowed him to dictate how he presented the film’s central hub of Peckham. “I was keen on showcasing British African culture authentically, infusing the film with the richness and vibrancy of Peckham’s cultural tapestry,” says Steven. Detailed sets of the iconic Peckhamplex, Rye Lane market and Khan’s Bargains provide the backdrop to the animated scenes, glowing in the evening sun. “It provided an opportunity to showcase Peckham in a light that diverged from prevailing narratives of poverty, presenting it as a vibrant and culturally rich community,” says Steven.

If there’s one element in particular that enhances the stunning visuals, it’s the use of sound. “For me, sound is sometimes more important than what we see,” says Steven. “There’s something about sound that allows us to really feel things deep within our souls.” The sound design is blended with the score as a means of demonstrating the connection between Tobi’s home and his passions. When shooting on Rye Lane, the film’s sound recordist travelled the street to capture its rich cacophony; the bustling butchers; people preaching on the street; snapshots of conversation and all the different dialects they could find. The music that accompanies the final section of the film also incorporated drums played by one of the musicians from Steven’s father’s church. “I wanted to make sure the sound was as authentic as possible,” says Steven. “I wanted the music to be an extension of Tobi’s mind and movement.”

For Steven, the story has been an important one to tell on both a personal, and broader level. “I have always had a strange relationship with my dad, and getting to understand him more has opened my eyes to some of the reasons why my father felt he needed to shield certain things from me and my siblings,” he says. “As a young British Black boy growing up in South London, sometimes you need a firm hand to support you in navigating a world that can be really unforgiving.” On broader scale, Steven wants the film to provide people with the incentive and drive to pursue their passions – passionately. “In essence, A Warrior’s Dance is a celebration of dreams, resilience, and the transformative power of storytelling,” ends Steven, “a testament to the enduring spirit of creativity that resides within us all.”

A Warrior’s Dance is now premiering on Minute Shorts. You can watch it here.