Keep an eye on this one... if MUBI plays there cards right a see awards potential here.

The first Nigerian film to premiere in competition at Cannes, Akinola Davies Jr gives us a warm and loving tour of Lagos, as two young brothers get to spend the day with their father.

i was absolutely floored by my father’s shadow. air swept all the way out of me. such a haunting and tender look at family, memory, sacrifice, and notions of home. tremendous, tremendous performances across the board. sensational.

nothing anyone can hate on, and frankly pretty much what you're wishing for coming out of Africa: a personal journey with historical background, filmed competently and with passion.

that being said, it couldn't shake off the 'perfect product' vibe for me. while the storytelling is very naive (through the children's eyes, as we're more than used from the arthouse sector by now) the filmmaking is shaped in the most cinephile-sexy way - beautiful earth tones meet 16mm optics, Davies Jr. as director of commercials for Gucci, Vuitton and co shines through here.

and that might be the biggest problem: a film that seems to be so innocent but essentially comes from the drawing table of trained film class sophistication.

As children, our understanding of life is generated through a patchwork of small lived experiences, then gradually, piece by piece, we begin to better understand the world at large.

My Father's Shadow is a masterful love letter to protectors and providers — those who introduce us to the real world — flawed as they may be. A decisive condemnation of the systems that foster hardship and violence, Akinola Davies Jr. has achieved an ethereal and vital artistic work. 

Go see this in theaters if you can! It sings!

CIFF #1

MY FATHER’S SHADOW marks a historic moment as the first Nigerian film to premiere at Cannes, and it’s a deeply impressive one from filmmaker Akinola Davies. Told from the reflective perspective of its director as a child, this autobiographical story is a poignant snapshot of Nigeria during the turbulent 1993 political election, capturing both the loss of democracy & innocence for two young boys. There’s a nostalgic yet haunting atmosphere crafted through evocative editing, sound, and music that is compelling to watch. Drawing from the pain & warmth of this personal memory, Davies offers a moving tribute to the man he saw as larger-than-life. That man is portrayed with quiet strength & emotional depth by Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù, who after working in character actor mode for the past few years really deserves his flowers for this performance and to see his career go to the next level.

so beautiful, so personal, and so excellent at capturing the fragmented and dreamy point of view of adolescence.

This.broke.me

Seemingly about two young brothers discovering Lagos for a day but they're really learning about their distant father.

I can't believe this is a debut, the intimacy of the camera as it shows Nigeria through these boys' eyes makes you feel like you're in the car and on the bustling streets with them. The political unrest of 1993 Nigeria is heartbreaking to see unfold. It's everywhere in the film, the newspaper headlines, the radio, the armed corrupt policemen milling around every scene, the loud debates amongst strangers.

The climax of the film had me clutching my armrest.

Sope Dirisu is spectacular and the actors who play his sons aren't far behind him.

Just jaw dropping, automatically up to the top of 2025 films.

unbelievable and unmissable debut, the way davies employs film to create this haptic material sense of memory and sope dirisu gives such a beautiful, haunting performance.

genuinely loved this so much and felt so privileged to also be present for a q&a with davies, cannot wait to see what work he does next

For me, the smartest thing MUBI have put their name to in a long time. A winding, wondrous film about what it’s like to never know someone, but for that person to spend their life in search of your safety and happiness. Love how it looks, love how it feels, love that the two leads are brothers and that Davies Jr. and his brother wrote the screenplay together too. Magical.

“Dear Father, 
I will See You in Dreams” 

I’m in a puddle of my own tears right now. Completely immersive in regards of replicating a pivotal moment in Nigerian history while delicately treading a powerful portrait of fatherhood, community, sacrifice. Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù’s performance is so fatherly, led with loving sensitivity while texturing Folarin‘s pain so vividly. Those brothers, too. Absolutely stellar esp how real they true to life that 8 & 11 year sibling age gap dynamic is. But to be completely honest, this really made me miss my dad. Saw so much of him in Folarin from the struggle to provide but not letting his frustrations affect his sons and trying to impart wisdom and affections. That beach scene will live deep in my soul for days. Now I’m legit mad this didn’t even make the Best International shortlist. Mubi doing this a disservice prioritizing their English titles when this is a bright and beautiful gem.