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My Father's Shadow
2025 93 min Nigeria, United Kingdom, Ireland 12+
★7.8
Drama
Director: Akinola Davies
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Description
Two young brothers explore Lagos with their estranged father during the 1993 Nigerian election crisis, witnessing both the city's magnitude and their father's daily struggles as political unrest threatens their journey home.
Starring
Sope Dirisu
Actor
Efon Wini
Actor
Awards
Cannes Film Festival 2025
— Caméra d'Or – Special Mention
Cannes Film Festival 2025
— Caméra d'Or
Key opinion
My Father's Shadow is a deeply personal and poignant family drama that explores the complex relationship between a father and his sons against the backdrop of political unrest in Nigeria. While the film is celebrated for its tender emotional core and directorial vision, some critics find the narrative structure lacks polish in its final act.
| Emotion | The film succeeds as a tender and authentic exploration of paternal love and the bond between father and sons. | |
| Direction | Akinola Davies demonstrates significant directorial talent by effectively using the boys' perspectives to frame broader societal and political tensions. | |
| Acting | The performances, particularly by Sope Dirisu, ground the story in a believable and affectionate family dynamic. | |
| Screenplay | The screenplay manages to weave complex historical lessons from the 1993 election into a intimate, character-driven narrative. | |
| Ending | The narrative suffers from an abrupt conclusion and underdeveloped subplots that prevent the story from feeling fully resolved. |