‘My Father’s Shadow’ Breakout Akinola Davies Jr. Makes History in Cannes With First Nigerian Selection

by

Award-winning director Akinola Davies Jr., who was also nominated for a BAFTA, is all set to make his debut with the highly anticipated film “My Father’s Shadow” at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival. This semi-autobiographical production stars Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù, known for his role in “Gangs of London.” The movie will be screened in the Un Certain Regard section of the festival.

The movie, titled “Lagos Uprising,” unfolds in the bustling Nigerian metropolis of Lagos over a turbulent day’s time. It chronicles the story of a father and his two estranged sons navigating through the city’s chaotic landscape as political instability looms over their journey home. The film stars Sope Dirisu as Folarin, a man struggling to make ends meet for his family, with Chibuike Marvellous Egbo and Godwin Egbo portraying his two spirited sons.

The movie “My Father’s Shadow,” the first Nigerian film to be selected for Cannes, is produced by Rachel Dargavel from Element Pictures and Funmbi Ogunbanwo of Fatherland Prods based in Lagos. This movie is directed by Davies Jr., who co-wrote the script with his brother Wale. They both also act as executive producers.

Mubi, having secured the movie prior to its premiere at Cannes, intends to launch theatrical screenings in North America and the United Kingdom. The Match Factory will take care of international distribution.

The movie starts on a crucial June day in 1993, with anticipation running high across Nigeria as they eagerly wait for the outcome of their first democratic election following General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida’s military coup. Preliminary results hint at a win for the opposition, instilling hope in millions of Nigerians that a new era is about to break in West Africa.

Folarin, portrayed by Dìrísù, nurtures his dreams for a transformed Nigeria. However, one crucial day, he’s focused on a less glamorous task: retrieving several months’ worth of unpaid wages from his employer in Lagos. Since his wife is away, he reluctantly agrees to let his sons accompany him. Unaware of it, the nation is teetering on the edge of an electoral crisis.

During the subsequent political turmoil, filmmakers find resonance in Folarin’s personal battles to support his family, as Wale remarks: “A nation should be there to…nurture and protect you, much like a parent does. But what occurs when the expectation of such care is broken?

As a movie critic, I found myself captivated by the fresh talent gracing our screens in the form of Chibuike Marvellous and Godwin Egbo, who convincingly portrayed the characters Remi and Akin. Their on-screen chemistry was authentic, making their bond feel genuine to the viewer. Off-camera, the director revealed that Dìrísù took on a paternal role towards these newcomers, nurturing them both during filming, to the extent that by wrap-up, they were practically inseparable.

The film titled “My Father’s Shadow” represents the climax of an extended creative venture by the Davies brothers, dating back to a script penned over a decade ago by Wale. This script was transformed into a letter addressed to their deceased father, a process that Wale describes as feeling like an out-of-body experience. The screenplay elicited such a powerful emotional response in Akinola that it brought him to tears.

Following their successful collaboration on the short film “Lizard,” which received the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance and a BAFTA nomination, they chose to work together once more. However, Akinola maintains that he had to persuade his brother to let him take charge as director. Contrarily, Wale playfully contradicts this, stating that Akinola was undoubtedly the most suitable individual to portray the feelings in a tale influenced by their shared family background.

A deeply intimate exploration titled “My Father’s Shadow,” this work not only reflects the raw appeal and unanticipated enchantment of Lagos but is also a dedication to the bustling metropolis that, according to Wale, frequently mirrors the backdrop of a movie production.

He remarks, “It’s as if everything is a movie.” He continues, “Just step outside onto my street – there’s never a dull moment, there’s always something thrilling unfolding.

Read More

2025-05-18 07:47