The Hollywood Reporter can exclusively reveal a first look at the hotly anticipated directorial debut of Akinola Davies Jr., set to premiere in Cannes.
Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù (Slow Horses, Gangs of London) leads the semi-autobiographical My Father’s Shadow. From Element Pictures production in association with Crybaby and Fatherland Productions, and based on a script by brothers Wale Davies and Davies Jr., the feature follows Remi and Akin, two kid brothers who spend a gift of a day with their estranged father Folarin.
They go on a voyage into Lagos, observing the colossal city for the first time and the hoops their father must pass through to be able to provide. All of this occurs against the backdrop of the 1993 presidential election result, which calls into question his ability to get Remi and Akin home.
The exclusive first image provided to THR shows Dìrísù, as Folarin, on the streets of Lagos, sitting with Godwin Egbo and Chibuike Marvellous Egbo.
Davies Jr. said: “Bringing My Father’s Shadow to life in my home country, a story which is so personal to me and my brother Wale, who wrote the script, but one that I also hope will resonate with many, has been beyond a dream. Working with the powerhouse that is Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù, who brought such magic to his character and has taken the script to a whole new level, has been an incredible experience.”
He continued: “All of which has been made possible through the unwavering support of Eva Yates at BBC Film, Ama Ampadu at the BFI and my producers Rachel Dargavel at Element Pictures and Funmbi Ogunbanwo at Fatherland Productions. I’m excited to share with you the part of my home and the city I grew up in that is rarely seen on screen.”
On Thursday, it was confirmed by Cannes executives that the film will feature in the fest’s Un Certain Regard sidebar, packed with directorial debuts. As well as Davies Jr.’s turn, the section will also show Scarlett Johansson’s Eleanor the Great which stars June Squibb and Harrison Dickinson’s Urchin, a British drama about a homeless man in London.
My Father’s Shadow was developed by BBC Film and co-financed by BBC Film and the BFI. The Match Factory is handling worldwide sales. Arthouse distributor and streamer Mubi pre-bought all rights in North America, the U.K., Ireland, and Turkey. The distributor’s theatrical plans for North America, the U.K. and Ireland are yet to be unveiled.
