Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù Lead Cast For Drama My Father’s Shadow

Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù (Gangs Of London) has landed the lead role in Akinola Davies Jnr’s feature directorial debut My Father’s Shadow.

The film is based on a script by Wale Davies and Akinola Davies Jnr, whose previous collaboration on Lizard won the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance 2021 and garnered a BAFTA nomination for Best British Short Film.

It will be produced by Element Pictures who gave Poor Things, . This was also developed by BBC Film, who previously backed Lizard, and was co-financed the BFI (awarding National Lottery funding). Boutique distributor MUBI pre-bought all rights in North America, UK, Ireland, and Turkey. The Match Factory is handling worldwide sales.

What us My Father’s Shadow all about? Here’s the official synopsis:
Two kid brothers Remi and Akin get to 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 deal with to provide. All this is happening in the backdrop of a huge 1993 presidential election result which calls into question his ability to get them home.

“Bringing My Fathers 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. 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.” – commented Akinola Davies Jnr.

This film is  produced by Rachel Dargavel for Element Pictures and Funmbi Ogunbanwo for Fatherland Productions. Executive Producers are Ed Guiney and Andrew Lowe for Element Pictures, Eva Yates for BBC Film and Ama Amapadu for the BFI. Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù, Wale Davies and Akinola Davies Jnr also act as executive producers.

MUBI has stated they will announce My Father’s Shadow UK/Irish and North America cinematic release details, sometime this year.