Sopẹ́ Dìrísù, from His House and Gangs of London, headlines Akinola Davies Jr.’s directorial debut, My Father’s Shadow. The heartwarming drama follows two siblings, Remi and Akin, as they receive the unique opportunity to spend a day with their father, Folarin (Dìrísù), after a long time apart. They go together to Lagos, both of them seeing the city for the first time and realizing the challenges their father faces in caring for them. This is amidst the tumultuous 1993 presidential election results, which makes them anxious about their father’s capacity to take them home.
“I’ve long wanted to be in a position to bring My Father’s Shadow to a home audience,” Davies Jr. said, whose brother Wale co-wrote the script. “This film is very close to us and I hope resonates with many people. To be able to collaborate with the amazing Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù has elevated the script, and making it all the more special.”
Element Pictures is producing the film, in co-production with Crybaby and Fatherland Productions. It has received strong support from BBC Film and the BFI. Mubi has already picked up North America, U.K., Ireland, and Turkey rights to My Father’s Shadow. The Match Factory is representing global sales. North American and U.K. distribution plans will be confirmed in the next few months.
