OBAFA
Through his spoken word poetry, Muhammed Dibbasey depicts a young man's struggles with failure, opportunity, and success in Gambia. His four poems, titled Sleepless Nights, They Say, Attitude, and I Like Words, express hope, frustration, of a young adult seeking to find opportunity, understand of the world, and to some extent the impacts of Gambia's history of the slave trade and colonialism. Sleepless Nights has already garnered recognition on the Internet Movie Database (IMDb) for Dibbasey's work in writing and executive producing the four short films, of which the video was co-produced by Cellular Vibrations and MaximillianGroup.
"a mind-blowing reflection of a dream of opportunity"
"an exciting reflection of the past of a young man navigating the present"
- Lift-Off Film Festival
4 Short Films by Gambian Spoken Word Poet Muhammed DibbaseY
I Like Words
"I Like Words" is a beautiful and powerful expression of the love of words. It is a reminder of the importance of words and their power to shape our lives. It is a reminder of the power words have in our lives and a reminder to choose our words wisely. It is a reminder that we all have the power to choose our words, even in the face of adversity, and the outcome that may result.
Sleepless Nights
"Sleepless Nights" is a powerful and moving poem about the struggles of insomnia. The poem is both personal and universal, and it will resonate with anyone who has ever experienced sleepless nights. The speaker is haunted by his past, and he believes that his insomnia is a gift from his ancestors, who are trying to help him understand the world around him. The speaker is also hopeful about the future, and he believes that he will use his insomnia to help him make a difference in the world.
Awards:
They Say
"They Say" is a powerful and moving indictment of the corruption and injustice that the speaker has experienced in his life. It is a cry for justice and equality, and a call for change. The poem is also a commentary on the nature of power. The speaker seems to be saying that power is not always about who has the most money or the most resources.
Attitude
"Attitude" is a powerful and thought-provoking piece of spoken word poetry. The speaker seems to be struggling with a sense of powerlessness and lack of control. They feel like they have no rights and that they are at the mercy of others. However, they are also determined to stand up for themselves and to not be taken advantage of. The poem is a reminder that we all have the power to choose our attitude, even in the face of adversity.
Film Festivals and Awards
"I am using my voice to raise awareness of the challenges faced by young people in Africa, and to inspire them to believe in themselves and their ability to make a difference."
Muhammed Dibbbasey
Muhammed Dibbasey
Writer, Director, Producer
Dibbasey's story is one of perseverance and self-made success. Growing up in Busumbala, one of Gambia's poorest neighborhoods, Dibbasey became the family's eldest male after his father died fighting in the war when he was only 15 years old. He abandoned his dream of becoming a doctor to support his mother and eight siblings, most of whom were orphans whose parents were killed in the same war as Dibbasey's father. Despite these challenges, he never lost hope and eventually started a record label and talent management agency, Cellular Vibrations, representing some of the top hip-hop, afrobeat, and afropop performers in the Gambia. Partnering with MaximillianGroup, the talent management business unit is being spun off into a new business and record label called Afrobeats Africa.
Muhammed Dibbasey is a dynamic and ambitious 24-year-old entrepreneur who is highly regarded within the community of Busumbala. He is passionate about the arts and has made it his mission to unite the youth in his community and beyond, igniting their passion for music and creating a platform for them to showcase their talents.
As the Executive Producer of Grab Di Mic, Muhammed has been instrumental in transforming the music scene in Gambia. Under his leadership, the event has grown from a small concert for 500 people to Gambia's fastest-growing performance event, attracting over 2000 attendees and featuring the country's top hip-hop and pop artists.
Max Barrett
Art Director, Film Editor
Max Barrett, a visionary Art Director, brought his distinctive touch to the creation of "OBAFA," a series of four short films by Gambian spoken word poet Muhammed Dibbasey. While Max's journey doesn't trace through the conventional realms of film, his artistic prowess transcends boundaries.
In "OBAFA," Max meticulously curated visual elements, infusing each frame with depth and meaning. The visual direction behind these films was to create thought-provoking contrasts, employing techniques to convey powerful messages. For instance, in 'They Say,' a split screen vividly portrays the disparities between the privileged and the disadvantaged. Likewise, 'Attitude' expands the viewer's perspective on mindset, skillfully juxtaposing elements like humanity, historical oppression, technology, and social issues.
"Empowering storytellers with cost-effective, high-quality production is not just a vision, it's a reality. At MaximillianGroup, we're rewriting the narrative of content creation."
- Max Barrett
Max's involvement in the project extends beyond technical expertise. He brought a problem-solving mindset to the table regarding the production of the films. At MaximillianGroup, we embarked on a journey to dissect the core concepts of each piece. Our goal was to forge a production approach that maximized quality while minimizing costs. We didn't anticipate Film Festivals or accolades. Instead, our aim was to pioneer an economical pathway for poets and storytellers to share their narratives with top-tier production. The success we've achieved in both awards and recognition underscores the viability of this process and pathway. In underserved nations and communities, arts and crafts often serve as primary economic drivers. Writers, poets, and storytellers generate content that's truly exceptional. However, our consumption of the written word has evolved. To monetize and foster a sustainable economic impact, providing audio and visual representations of their work becomes paramount.
MaximillianGroup, founded with a strong mission, has consistently aimed to create sustainable economic opportunities in underserved communities and nations. By providing access to crucial educational and economic tools, Max and his team have made success attainable in areas where it once seemed out of reach. Their expertise in digital marketing, social media, and creative talent management is transforming economic landscapes and providing opportunities to people and communities worldwide.
Max's extensive career also includes contributions to various projects, from working on feature films like "Fighting Tommy Riley" to involvement in TV series such as "Monk." He has been an essential part of marketing campaigns for high-profile figures like Playboy Centerfold and "Joe Millionaire" finalist Sarah Kozer, as well as handling social media marketing for renowned KTLA news anchor Carlos Amescua. Max Barrett is more than a professional; he's a visionary who turns ideas into impactful reality.
Cotton Bro Studios
Collaborating with Cotton Bro Studios in Saint Petersburg, Russia, was a pivotal step in bringing the vision of 'OBAFA' to life. Their expertise in animation, film, advertising, and documentaries elevated the production process, ensuring a seamless blend of creativity and technical excellence
CREDITS
The Voice of Obafa Onema: Muhammed Dibbasey
Produced by Cellular Vibrations in association with MaximillianGroup
Director: Muhammed Dibbasey
Executive Producer: Muhammed Dibbasey
Written by Muhammed Dibbasey
Video: CottonBro Studios
Film Editing: Max Barrett / MaximillianGroup
Art Direction: Max Barrett / MaximillianGroup
Cover Art: Max Barrett / MaximillianGroup
Distributed by MaximillianGroup / Cellular Vibrations
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