In what marks a significant moment for Nigerian cinema, My Father’s Shadow by Akinola Davies Jr. premiered at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival under the Un Certain Regard section, a first for a Nigerian feature in this category. As one of the few Nigerian films to gain international recognition, this debut sets a promising course for the nation’s future in global cinema.
Set against the backdrop of Nigeria’s pivotal 1993 presidential election, My Father’s Shadow offers a striking blend of political urgency and poetic realism. Co-written with his brother Wale Davies, Akinola Davies Jr. crafts a one-day journey through Lagos, capturing the city’s contrasting pulses of hope, tension, and timelessness.
A Story of Family Amid Political Turmoil
The film follows two young brothers, Olaremi (Chibuike Marvellous Egbo) and Akinola (Godwin Egbo), as they prepare to spend the day with their father, Fola (Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù), a quiet and idealistic man with ambitions tethered to the fate of the 1993 elections. This pivotal event, remembered for being one of Nigeria’s freest and fairest elections before the military annulled the results, looms large over the narrative.
But My Father’s Shadow isn’t a traditional historical drama. Rather than intertwining personal and political events, Davies Jr. allows them to run parallel, occasionally brushing up against each other as in real life. What results is a quietly meditative, emotionally restrained tale that feels more lived-in than melodramatic.
Evocative Direction and Visual Style
From the film’s outset, Davies Jr. signals his aesthetic ambitions. The opening sequence is a fast-paced, archival-style montage that introduces viewers to the turbulent political backdrop. Yet, from that moment forward, the pace slows, opting for visual contemplation over narrative exposition.
The cinematography, characterised by desaturated tones, represents a deliberate departure from the vibrant imagery typically associated with Lagos and Nollywood. Instead, Davies Jr. discovers corners of the city where 1993 still lingers: narrow alleys, ageing rooftops, and cluttered offices. With a background in the UK’s creative industry, his command of tone and texture stands out.
The haunting, minimalist score by Duval Timothy and CJ Mirra adds further emotional gravity. Rejecting the Afrobeat rhythms one might expect, the film embraces a more ambient, post-rock sonic landscape reminiscent of Godspeed You! Black Emperor. This unexpected choice complements the film’s contemplative atmosphere.
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A Film of Subtle Power – With Some Restraint
While My Father’s Shadow impresses with its craftsmanship, it doesn’t always hit with the emotional force one might hope for. Its commitment to subtlety sometimes blunts its narrative stakes. Fola’s deep emotional investment in the election and his cautious hope that MKO Abiola’s victory might change his family’s fortunes are sometimes underplayed. The audience must piece together hints of past trauma, such as a possible military massacre at Bonny Camp, without clear exposition.
Still, one of the film’s most potent scenes occurs late in the runtime: Fola watches the election results with fellow believers in a stylish yet subdued bar. The children, now included in the adult world, quietly observe as political dreams begin to unravel. When Lagos descends into unrest, My Father’s Shadow becomes not just a memory piece, but a quiet elegy to hopes deferred.
This film may not satisfy viewers expecting overt political drama or emotional fireworks. But for those attuned to poetic cinema and social commentary, Davies Jr. has delivered a film of rare texture and intelligence.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Who directed My Father’s Shadow?
Akinola Davies Jr., a Nigerian-British filmmaker with a strong background in the UK’s creative industry, directed the film. His brother, Wale Davies, co-wrote the screenplay.
Q: What is the film about?
Set in Lagos during the 1993 Nigerian presidential election, the film follows a father and his two sons over a single day, blending political tension with personal introspection.
Q: Is My Father’s Shadow based on a true story?
While the film references real political events, including the 1993 election won by MKO Abiola and subsequently annulled, the characters and specific events (like the Bonny Camp massacre) appear fictional or stylised for dramatic effect.
Q: Where did My Father’s Shadow premiere?
The film premiered in the Un Certain Regard section at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, making it one of the few Nigerian films to reach that international stage.
Q: Who plays the father, Fola, in the film?
Fola is portrayed by Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù, an acclaimed British actor known for his roles in His House and Gangs of London.
Q: What kind of music is used in the film?
Instead of traditional Nigerian music, the film uses a haunting, ambient score by Duval Timothy and CJ Mirra, evoking a more introspective, post-rock atmosphere.
Q: What production companies are behind the film?
My Father’s Shadow is a co-production between the UK, Ireland, and Nigeria. Element Pictures produced it in association with Crybaby and Fatherland Productions. The Match Factory handles international sales.
Q: How has the film been received so far?
The film has been praised for its poetic direction, evocative visuals, and emotional restraint, though some critics feel it could have better balanced its personal and political dimensions.
Q: Will the film be released outside of film festivals?
There is no confirmed wide release yet, but given its Cannes exposure and international sales through The Match Factory, a limited theatrical release or streaming debut is likely.
