The Story ⚡
In the chaotic pulse of Lagos during Nigeria’s 1993 election fallout, two brothers embark on a fleeting day with their estranged father. My Father’s Shadow is set to premiere at Cannes 2025.
Tell Me More
The story follows two young brothers, Remi and Akin, navigating the city’s turmoil with their father, Folarin, portrayed by Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù. Joining Dìrísù are Uzoamaka Aniunoh and Winifred Efon, rounding out a predominantly Nigerian cast that brings authenticity to the story’s emotional core, rooted in the Davies brothers’ personal experience of losing their father, blending personal grief with a nation’s upheaval.
Helmed by British-Nigerian filmmaker Akinola Davies Jr. and co-written with his brother Wale Davies, the film unfolds against the tense backdrop of Lagos in 1993, when a disputed presidential election sparked unrest.
Shot on location in Lagos, the film captures the city’s vibrant chaos, weaving Yoruba, Pidgin, and local street names into its fabric. Backed by Element Pictures, Fatherland Productions, and BBC Film, Davies Jr. brings an art house lens on this debut.
My Father’s Shadow marks a historic moment for Nigerian cinema, landing in Cannes Film Festival’s Un Certain Regard strand—a first for a Nigerian feature in the festival’s near-80-year. Funmbi Ogunbanwo, co-producer at Fatherland, calls it a story that “captures the essence of our home,” reflecting the grit of independent Nigerian filmmakers.
The Cannes selection, announced April 10, 2025, places My Father’s Shadow among 2,909 films vying for the spotlight, a milestone for a country whose films have historically been sidelined at the festival. Davies Jr.’s vision, paired with Dìrísù’s nuanced performance, positions the film as a bridge between Nollywood’s storytelling and global arthouse acclaim, carrying the weight of a nation’s cinematic ambitions.
In Summary
My Father’s Shadow premieres at Cannes from May 13-24, 2025, with theatrical releases to follow via MUBI in North America and the UK—exact dates pending. As a Nigerian story vying for global eyes at Cannes, this is no mere debut; it’s a vibrant call for Nollywood’s stories to echo worldwide.
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