My Father’s Shadow, directed by Akinola Davies Jr., is one of the most anticipated films. It has recently landed a strong distribution deal in France with Le Pacte. The movie will have its world premiere next month in the Un Certain Regard sidebar at the Cannes Film Festival. It documents the harrowing odyssey of a father and his two alienated adult sons through an unnamed sprawling metropolis engulfed in civil disorder.
The semi-autobiographical narrative is set during the 1993 Nigerian election crisis and unfolds over the course of a single day in Lagos, the Nigerian capital. As their return trip becomes increasingly arduous, the father and his two sons must confront their broken family dynamic. They are deeply affected by the bigger socio-political storm that swirls in the chaos around them.
Collaborations and Production
My Father’s Shadow is a highly imaginative creative storytelling partnership extended from the original work, and developed in association with BBC Film and BFI. It includes collaborations with the Match Factory, Fremantle, Electric Theatre Collective and MUBI. The film is produced by Element Pictures, in association with Crybaby and Fatherland.
Element Pictures’ Ed Guiney and Andrew Lowe are among the executive producers on the project. Completing them are Eva Yates of BBC Film and Ama Amapadu of the BFI. And now, they are collaborating to bring this powerful tale to audiences around the world! Their aim is to showcase Davies Jr.’s singular vision as he begins this thrilling new chapter with his debut feature.
A Unique Cinematic Voice
Akinola Davies Jr Recognised for his earlier work, including Bafta-nominated and Sundance-winning short Lizard. And now everyone’s breathlessly anticipating his feature debut, My Father’s Shadow. It’s sure to showcase his signature combination of magical realism, humor, and heartfelt empathy for the nuances of family dynamics and cultural conflicts.
Alice Labadie, the acquisitions director at Le Pacte, expressed her enthusiasm about collaborating with Davies Jr on this inaugural film. She stated:
“We are beyond thrilled and proud to be working with Akinola Davies Jr on his first film. We feel he is a unique filmmaker, and will count as one of the most important new voices in cinema.”
The Cast and Future Prospects
The film showcases a breakthrough performance by Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù in the lead role. His portrayal is expected to resonate deeply with audiences, bringing to life the emotional complexities of a father-son relationship strained by external pressures.
My Father’s Shadow premieres at Cannes later this month. It is scheduled to have a tremendous showing on the international film world stage! With its strong narrative, thoughtful approach to history, and vibrant characters, it’s sure to capture the attention of viewers and critics.