I Am African And I Can: Mohamed Dione

How Do You Like Your 'Maffé Tiga' Cooked?

Mohamed Dione isn't biologically related to Celine Dion, but his talent will touch millions, as did Celine Dion. His films ignite a sense of appreciation for humanity and serve as a moral compass to Africans living in the diaspora.

Dione is best known in the Guinean community for his film "Maffé Tiga" (Peanut Butter Stew), which he wrote, directed, and starred in.

The short, fiction film was produced to share the beauty of Guinean culture, but also to dismiss a myth which is believed to have caused discrimination between tribes for generations.

"Growing up, maffé tiga was my favorite dish," recalled Dione. "But, I never understood why my family didn't want me to eat maffé tiga from 'other people.'"

The myth entails, some Guinean women can make any man fall in love with them by adding in their sauce a recipe called 'gnamou djodho,' which in Fula means 'eat and sit'--indicating that, once the man eats the meal, he'll be hooked on the woman.

The analogy is that, parents want their sons to be wary about eating food cooked by women of a different tribe, because they don't want a marriage between differing tribes.

Although this myth appears rather absurd, according to the creator of the film 'Maffé Tiga,' he produced it because to this day, many wholeheartedly believe in the myth and confirm that it works.

"Maffé Tiga" was Dione's first shot at directing, so he wanted to share a piece of him that would educate Africans on loving each other despite tribal differences.

Dione's high school English teacher, Kathleen Wood, overtly said, "I love the REALITY of 'Maffé Tiga,' the raw emotion in the cultural tapestry, and no doubt, I love my 'kid' acting out his script."

Throughout high school, he developed interest in theater, which moved him to later study it in college.

Dione, 27, began acting at the tender age of seven, when he came to the United States.

Oreo-like complexion, bubbly smile, venerable presence, and a height akin to that of a Rose Gum tree--these external traits set him apart from others.

One awakening moment in his acting career was, in 2005, when he auditioned for a film called "Freedom Writers," and did not get the role. After not getting in "Freedom Writers," he got a role in "Law and Order," with Whoopi Goldberg playing his mother, which opened doors for him.

"That's when I realized [acting] is no joke," Dione admitted.

Nonetheless, he kept pursing his passion. He enjoys what he does and will use that art to change the world.

Dione has other projects. He is working on his documentary "Going Home: Guinea Conakry," which features Guinean poet and musician Gallice Jr. "Homeless," a 7-minute film about two friends who meet a homeless man at a park and learn something from him that change their lives.

He's starring in a film "Theory of Conflict," which should be out later this year. Also, Dione recently traveled to Guinea to act in a French and Guinean film called "The Moon Has Fallen." He has acted in American films, TV shows, plays and commercials. Like "Restless City," "Across the Universe," "NYC 22," "Chappelle's Show" and many more.

When asked, 'who is Mohamed Dione?' He responded, "I find out about myself every day."

"I thought I liked the cold," he said while looking out the window, "but I don't like the cold anymore," he laughed.

Similar to Lupita Nyong'o, Dione is son to a Guinean diplomat, and was born in a country many would probably never imagine him being born--Saudi Arabia.

What is the likelihood of these two actors/directors one day coincidentally meeting at a local Starbucks in Hollywood and reminisce about their identical upbringing?

"There's Facebook, there's Twitter," Dione listed. "But nothing beats talking to someone face-to-face."

He appreciates traveling because it permits him to meet people from all walks of life, which is important for an actor, since "acting is living truthfully under imaginary circumstances."

Whether people watch Dione's films because they identify with his character, or they find them entertaining, he is humbled when people invest their time and money into his films.

The Guinean/Senegalese star said that, some people don't always love a movie the first time they watch it. Sometimes, only when they watch it several times do they grow fond of it.

"I used to want people to love my films, but now I just want them to taste the cake and decide for themselves if they like it or not," said the maffé tiga lover. "All a filmmaker can ask is that you watch his film. That is victory."