My Father's Shadow

June, 1993. Tension hangs heavy over postcolonial Nigeria. The recent presidential elections and the political unrest that followed have gripped the people of Lagos. History is in the making, but for brothers Akinola and Olaremi, a visit to the West African city becomes unforgettable for very different reasons. For one day, they are taken under the wing of their often-absent father, Folarin. In his quest to be paid for his labor, he reveals the sacrifices he makes for his sons. The enigmatic hero gives way to a flesh-and-blood father, weighed down by worries, fears, and regrets. My Father's Shadow, the first Nigerian film ever to premiere at Cannes, marks the triumphant debut of Akinola Davies: a poetic and deeply personal coming-of-age story, brought to life by Gangs of London actor Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù alongside breakout performances from Godwin Chimerie and Chibuike Marvelous Egbo.