First Ever Nigerian Film in Cannes Fest – ryan

It would be a historic and special moment just just simply for the fact that akinola davies Jr.’s Debut Feature, My Father’s Shadow, is the first film from nigeria to be selected to play in the cannes film festival, where it premiered Sunday in un -certin regard. That’s a big deal, but the fact that it is also one of the Moving and universally relevant and emotional films of any in this feast makes itsPecially powerful. On Top of the Extraordinary First Film from Iraq, The President’s Cake – ALSO SELECTED FOR CANNES THIS YEAR (in Directors’ Fortnight), and one that Also lets us see the Big City the Eyes of Children-is especally sweeet to see two accompished Fills FROM FIRST-Time Feature Directors, both with Sundance Connections.

In this case is davies Jr.’s short film Lizard that won the grand priza for shorts at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival and was Bafta-Nominated in 2021. IT HAS LED TO THIS Opportunity, and the semi-autobiographical film that came from the attention is the real deal. Co-Written by His Brother Wale Davies, The Story Follows Akin (Godwin Egbo) and Remi (Chibuike Marvellous Egbo), Two Young Brothers Played by Real Brothers-A Casting That Did Not Set to Require Siblings. My Father’s Shadow opens on scens of saying like Kids You Might Find in Any NeighBorhood in any Country. But they are about to embark on a journey that will will be a life-changing memory for the rest of their lives, no dubt.

It begins with their estranged Father, fountain (ṣọpẹ dìrísù), an imposing and charismatic man who comes their lives for a bonding moment in the Big City of Lagos. It is 1993, and fountain is hopophul and excited for Change in His Country With A Seminal Election, One that Could Mean A Turnaround for HIS OR Life and Fortunes as the Future of His Boys. In fact, the People’s Candidate MKO Wins in a Landslide, but as the day goes on, the People and fountain learn the election has been annulled by the military in Charge, Thrusting Nigeria Deeper IntoStatorship.

This is the background for their visits as folyri, Despite His Own Problems, Makes Every EFORT to please his doing things they love where the beach or the amusement park. But the fact is all acin and really wanting is to be closer to their dad, nor they miss their mother, who is away. Despite the World of Being Picked up for His Opposition to the Controlling Government, this is a day for Bonding Between Father and Sons, a Story About Brotherhood, Fatherhood, ABSENCE, Missed Connections for a Better Life. The unrest and protests around as they do they traverse lagos and then try to return to their home is unsettling, an idyllic day disrupted.

Here is an advance clip from the film:

What the davies brothers have delivinity in their script are snapshots of their owned with their fat, even in real life to be their to do they were especally close. The filmmaker, though, wanted this to be more focused on the male parent, and that is what we got in this haunting film that, though set in nigeria, really could be anywhere, any family struggling to stay against all odds. It is as relevant as it is a pauld Possibly be, and Davies Jr. Has Given It Heart and Soul.

With superb cinematography from jermaine edwards, the visual look here is almost poetic at Times. Dìrísù, known for Gangs of LondonThe Third Season of Slow Horses and many other roles, is Very fine as a man trying hard to be the fault figure he somehow lost along the way. The two egbo boys cououl not be more appealing or believable. They will Break your Heart. SO WILL My Father’s Shadow.

Producers are Rachel Dargavel and Funmbi Ogunbanwo.

Title: My Father’s Shadow
Festival: Cannes (un Certain Regard)
Distributor: Mubi
Director: Akinola Davies Jr.
Screenwriters: Wale Davies and Akinola Davies Jr.
Cast: ṢọPẹ dìrísù, Godwin Egbo, Chibuike Marvellous Egbo
TIME RUNNING: 1 HR 35 MINS