My Father’s Shadow

The UK’s Best International Feature Film entry to the 98th Academy Awards. and recipient of the Caméra d’Or Special Mention at Cannes, Akinola Davies Jr.’s My Father’s Shadow is a poetic, tender portrait of father–son bonds set amidst the political turbulence of 1993 Lagos.

Tracking a single day’s journey into and around the Nigerian metropolis, Folarin (Sopé Dìrísù, Slow Horses, Gangs of London) and his young sons Akin (Godwin Egbo) and Remi (Chibuike Marvellous Egbo) reckon with their relationship while navigating a city on the precipice of democratic crisis. As shadows grow long across Lagos and details of Folarin’s life come to light, the strained nature of his connection to Akin and Remi becomes increasingly clear.

Brothers and collaborators Akinola Davies Jr. and Wale Davies have infused their groundbreaking feature debut with the energy, complexity, and rich community of 90s Nigeria, luminously captured on 16mm. Centering an award-winning performance by Dìrísù, My Father’s Shadow reveals the profound depths of what families leave unspoken.