By Akeem Lasisi
If prophets lack honour in their countries. The trio of Fumbi Ogunbamwo, Akinola Davies and Wale Davies are exceptions. They are in the forefront of the brains behind My Father’s Shadow, a top-rated film slated for world premiere in the enviable Un Certain Regard category at the upcoming Cannes Festival in France. For achieving the feat, breaking the jinx for Nollywood, the Lagos State Government has accorded them more than honour. It has endorsed the landmark creative venture, once again demonstrating its commitment to the growth of the entertainment industry.
My Father’s Shadow tells an important aspect of the Nigerian story. Largely set in Lagos as well as Ibadan, it follows a family reunion during the historical 12 June 1993 election. Many would recall that a lot of the actions that greeted the annulment of the election won by the Chief Moshood Abiola, who was later incarcerated till he died in detention, happened in Lagos. In the first place, MKO (as he was fondly called) resided in his iconic home on Toyin Street in Opebi, Ikeja. Many of those who battled the military — including the Nobel laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, the now President Bola Tinubu, Pa Abraham Adesanya and Ayo Adebanjo — were also Lagosians.
If Lagos is to further count its losses, it will note that the military gunned down many people in the state during the 12 June struggles. Among such were prominent figures like Pa Afred Rewane, who was killed in his Ikeja home; and Alhaja Kudirat Abiola, MKO’s wife, who was gunned down in the Ojota area. Very significantly too, the Epe declaration, in which MKO declared himself president, happened in the state, just as his remains were brought back to Lagos from Abuja and eventually interred in the Toyin Street home. To, therefore, tell the 12 June story without putting Lagos in the centre could be like talking about the River Nile without mentioning Egypt.
Yet, for Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the feat that My Father’s Shadow has recorded eloquently echoes the depth and versatility of the talents that abound in Nigeria. According to him, it is a proud moment for Lagos and the country in general. He had also supported Toyosi Akerele-Ogunsiji’s AI-themed film, Makemation, in March.
Hosting the producers of My Father’s Shadow, the governor said: ‘This is a proud moment for Lagos and for Nigeria. We are committed to nurturing local talent and creating an environment where creativity can thrive’.
Directed by Akinola Davies Jr. from a screenplay he co-wrote with his brother, Wale Davies, the film starring Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù, follows a family reunion during the election. It is a collaborative production between Nigerian producer Ogunbanwo of Fatherland Productions and United Kingdom-based producer Rachel Dargavel of Element Pictures. Other members of the cast include new entrants Godwin and Chibuike Egbo.
The Lagos State Film and Video Censors Board, in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, also expressed pride in supporting the project. According to the Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka, the film represents ‘a significant step in amplifying Nigerian voices on the world stage’.
Also in a review of the movie, Shockng writes: ‘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’.
