This review was made possible by Popped attending a Press Screening for My Father’s Shadow
My Father’s Shadow is a moving tale written by brothers Akinola Davies Jr. and Wale Davies. It is directed solely by Davies Jr., marking his feature debut, and has been described as semi-autobiographical. My Father’s Shadow was officially announced as the UK’s submission for Best International Feature at the 98th Academy Awards earlier last month.
A Father’s Return
Starring Sope Dirisu and introducing Godwin Chiemerie Egbo and Chibuike Marvellous Egbo, the story takes place over one day in the life of two young boys and a father, dated June 12, 1993, the day of the 1993 Nigerian Presidential election. Starting off in a small village in the countryside of Nigeria, young brothers Akin and Remi are met with a rare appearance from their father, Fola (Dirisu), in their home. Their longing to spend more time with their father is immediately evident. Fola allows them to accompany him to Lagos, the buzzing capital city of Nigeria, who’s on a mission to collect a long overdue paycheck from his workplace. This trip is the first time in a while that the two brothers have been able to spend a day with their father due to his frequent absences.
This story begins to feel like a road trip in many ways. Their journey into the city spotlights their way of living with the overcrowded and slightly unsafe vans that are used for public transport, in addition to the van transporting the family, running out of fuel. This reflects the fuel shortages in Nigeria at the time, caused by the political instability and economic decline across the country. Desperate to retrieve his money, Fola finds other means to reach the city. Akin and Remi’s behaviour in the bustling and hectic city underlines their unfamiliarity with such places, reminding us of their rural village upbringing.
This film grounds us in the political unrest of 1993 Nigeria, and as the narrative unfolds, more and more of the political turbulence and military dictatorship within the country is unpeeled. We bear witness to the repression, censorship, curfews and the overarching oppression of Nigerians all through the eyes of Fola, Akin and Remi. It’s suffocating and inescapable, with armed military men scattered through the streets of Lagos, watching, and monitoring the daily livelihoods of many Lagosians. Despite this, as Fola strolls through Lagos, there is a communal feeling of optimism and a hope of change coming from the electoral results. Akinola shared that he remembers living through this time, and he was of a similar age to the characters Akin and Remi.
Intimate Cinematography Rooted in Culture
The cinematography is gorgeous and incredibly intimate, accompanied by a wonderful score. Every shot is filled with so much beauty, with many lingering shots of mundane moments of nature. It perfectly paints the setting and allows the audience to feel transported to Nigeria. When discussing the cinematography, Akinola related it back to animism – the belief that nature is alive with spirits and there is a spiritual essence in all things, such as animals, trees, rocks, rivers, etc. Animism is very prevalent in Nigerian culture, and Akinola expressed that this informs many of the shots within the film and the overall imagery. The constant close-ups on our focal characters’ faces create emotional intimacy and allow us to soak up every small facial expression. Ṣọpẹ́’s expressions, in particular, are supremely affecting, conveying all the love and regret felt within his character.
Akin and Remi, charmingly played by real-life brothers Godwin Chiemerie Egbo and Chibuike Marvellous Egbo, portray a familiar sibling rivalry, with a lot of bickering and teasing. The love for each other is there, but even more so, the shared love for their father connects them. There is a huge contrast in their outspokenness towards each other compared to their interactions with their father. They hold a lot of respect for him, and at some points appear intimidated. This is a common experience within African cultures where there is an expectation to respect your elders and avoid talking back. This becomes immensely apparent in their behaviour around their father, and also the other elders that they cross paths with during their day in Lagos.
Masculinity and Emotional Depth in Akinola’s Vision
The screenplay is so clever and meaningful, but what Akinola and Wale do that is so compelling is the characterisation of Fola. Dirisu delivers a complex and layered performance. His masculinity is never in question, yet he is portrayed with a level of tenderness which is something that is not always put forward in depictions of fatherhood in African settings. Often in the Black community, the African community in particular, men can be painted as very emotionally distant, tough, and hypermasculine.
However, in My Father’s Shadow, Akinola and Wale provide a different outlook on the African father. Fola is stern and has a very easy time disciplining his children, but he is also still vulnerable with his boys, especially his oldest, Remi. He cries and is and has emotional heart-to-heart moments with them both. Sope Dirisu provides a sentimental presence, and he is so magnetic to watch. Fola is not a perfect man, and with all his faults, he holds a lot of care for his two boys. It is also difficult for him as a father and the man of the house to navigate the conflict of being away for long periods of time, trying to provide for his children in the political climate of 1993 Nigeria, but also trying to be a present father.
By the end of the film, it becomes a question of whether the sacrifice, with all the time spent away from his children, is truly worth it. The day trip that we are taken on zeroes in on the idea that time spent with your loved ones will be among the most significant moments in life, and it is essential for people not to allow corrupt governments and societal pressures to let people lose sight of that.
‘My Father’s Shadow’ – Final Thoughts
My Father’s Shadow is an intriguing look at sacrifice, family, and fatherhood and a realisation that governments in some cases create conditions that set families up to fail.
My Father’s Shadow releases on Mubi on February 6, 2026. Check out a preview below:
The Review
My Father's Shadow
My Father’s Shadow is an intriguing look at sacrifice, family, and fatherhood and a realisation that governments in some cases create conditions that set families up to fail.
