Father's Shadow: A Son's Journey Through Memory

The film "My Father's Shadow," directed by Akinola Davies Jr. and co-written with his brother Wale, delves into their personal history and the complex legacy of their father. The narrative is deeply rooted in their childhood experiences in Nigeria, using a child's perspective to interpret their imperfect but cherished homeland.

This cinematic journey began as a short film script penned by Wale, inspired by an exercise on writing to bereaved family members. After their short film "Lizard" won at Sundance in 2021, the siblings expanded the script into a feature film, with Akinola serving as director and Wale as lead writer.

The story follows two young brothers in the Nigerian countryside during the pivotal 1993 election. Their father, often absent for work in Lagos, unexpectedly returns and takes them to the city for a day. This personal narrative is set against the backdrop of the annulled 1993 presidential election, a period of significant political upheaval and hope for democracy in Nigeria.

Director Akinola Davies Jr. emphasizes the importance of presenting Nigeria through a child's observational yet uncomprehending gaze, capturing the mundane yet significant aspects of their upbringing. The film also highlights Sope Dirisu's acclaimed performance as the father, Folarin, a role that humanizes the paternal figure and explores the father-son dynamic. Dirisu's portrayal earned him an award for Outstanding Lead Performance at the Gotham Awards, where Davies Jr. also received an award for Breakthrough Director.