Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù to Star in Akinola Davies Jnr’s Feature Directorial Debut ‘My Father’s Shadow’

Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù (His House, Gangs Of London) is set to star in Akinola Davies Jnr’s feature directorial debut My Father’s Shadow. MUBI has pre-bought all rights for release in North America, UK, Ireland, and Turkey.

In the film, 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 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. 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.” – Akinola Davies Jnr

My Father’s Shadow is an Element Pictures production in association with Crybaby and Fatherland Productions. 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.

Dìrísù’s upcoming projects include Season 3 of Gangs of London, and performances of Rhinoceros at the Almeida Theater.

My Father’s Shadow is produced by Rachel Dargavel for Element Pictures and Funmbi Ogunbanwo for Fatherland Productions, who also serviced production on the ground. 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.