The director and co-producer of Summer Rain, Adenike Adebayo-Esho, initially pursued a career in law out of a deep personal interest in the legal system.
However, in 2015, she transitioned into media and filmmaking following her true passion for storytelling.
In a chat with Saturday Beats, she shared that storytelling had always been a path she wanted to explore.
“Well, it’s something I always wanted to practice. It was inside of me, and I wanted to explore. I was always interested in the legal system and practising, so I pursued that,” she explained.
Now based abroad, Adebayo-Esho shared that the inspiration for Summer Rain came naturally to her.
“I got the story for Summer Rain by inspiration. It was just something that came to me, and I developed it into a relatable story. It’s a tale of love, second chances, friendship, and family—something that Nigerians and humans in general can connect with,” she noted.
She, however, said despite living abroad, she remained deeply connected to the Nigerian film industry, stating, “Filmmaking is something I was already into before leaving Nigeria. I never abandoned that part of me. I always knew I wanted to keep telling Nigerian stories wherever I found myself. That has always been very important to me.”
Speaking on her casting process for the movie, she emphasised the importance of selecting actors who could fully embody their characters. “For me, it’s essential that my actors truly reflect and fit the roles they are playing. I was very particular about casting actors who could connect deeply with their characters and bring them to life exactly as I envisioned,” she explained.
On the challenges of producing a movie in Nigeria, Adebayo-Esho listed financial constraints, cast availability, timing issues, and even interference from thugs. However, she remained undeterred by these obstacles. “We just kept going. You can’t let these challenges hold you back or weigh you down. You have to keep your eyes on the prize and push forward,” she stated.
