Aliyah Odoffin and Jadesola Odunjo join Josh Tedeku in his short film ‘Pleasure Over Matter’
By Molly Lipson
EXCLUSIVE: Aliyah Odoffin (A Thousand Blows, Everything I Know About Love) and Jadesola Odunjo (YOU, Grime Kids) join Josh Tedeku (Supacell, Boarders) in Tedeku’s new short film ‘Pleasure Over Matter’ that he’s also written and directed.
The film tells the story of Jeremy’s (Tedeku) battle with abstinence from sex until marriage after he moves in with his new partner. The couple agree to celibacy while Jeremy reconnects to his faith. Taunted by his previous no-strings-attached situationship with Dima, he attempts to resist seeing her again with little success.
The film is edited by Abolfazl Talooni, who is also co-director and editor on Iranian Yellow Pages, and co-produced along with Tedeku by Jen Smith at Fable Pictures.
“I’m absolutely buzzing for this!” Tedeku says. “We filmed in mid-October for three days and the cast and crew all blended together so well, making the process the smoothest it could’ve been. I hope that everyone that sees it eventually can feel the love this film was made with through the screen.”
Image: Danika Magdalena
The idea for the film came from Tedeku’s own experience with abstinence and the difficulties he faced that he feels are not spoken about enough. “I really strived to create a script that doesn't preach but sparks conversation on the matter. Whether you think abstaining is the key to a happier life and relationship, or you think it's an outdated construct that denies you of a simple pleasure you shouldn't feel guilty about, this film attempts to allow both sides of that conversation to flow,” he says.
Image: Danika Magdalena
“To me, creating art that can do that is not only thrilling but vital,” he continues. “I believe that one of the many ways art can change people’s lives is by awakening conversations that force people to really think about their own views and perspectives. They might change that perspective, or stand firmer in the one they already hold. I love this idea and can’t wait to see how people respond to Pleasure Over Matter with this in mind.”
Shooting took place in mid-October with post-production now underway.