My Father’s Shadow

When their absent father, Folarin (Sope Dirisu), arrives home unannounced, two young brothers accompany him to Lagos in My Father’s Shadow, the feature debut from Akinola Davies Jr. As the trio explore the chaotic streets of the Nigerian capital on the eve of a crucial election, the boys gain an insight into their father’s world and create lasting memories in this frequently moving but sometimes disjointed coming-of-age tale.

With their father having worked away for so long, his life is a mystery to Akin (Godwin Egbo) and Rami (Chibuike Marvellous Egbo). When they meet larger-than-life characters who call their dad “Kapo” or hear stories of their parents’ lives in the city, it’s hard not to view Folarin with a similar sense of reverence and awe. Dirisu’s charismatic performance likewise lends weight to the character’s screen presence that makes him instantly likeable and easy to warm up to. Despite his flaws and past mistakes that gradually come to the surface, he’s a father trying to do the best for his sons. Nowhere is this better reflected than in a tender scene where he tells his eldest the importance of family after some quality time at the beach.

While the plot revolves around father and sons, it’s Lagos that stands out as the main character. Davies takes time to focus on small details like waves lapping between toes or food being served at a bar where patrons passionately discuss the imminent election results. All of this creates a rich and textured atmosphere that draws viewers into the heart of the capital, allowing them to experience its sights and sounds alongside the young protagonists. For as lively and exciting as the city is, close-ups of menacing soldiers and glimpsed headlines of civil unrest signal that danger is never far away.

Drawing upon the filmmaker’s own childhood and co-written with his brother, Wale Davies, the feature possesses a dreamlike quality as it drifts between moments of surreal imagery and heartwarming nostalgia. It’s all tied together with evocative editing choices, which further heighten the atmosphere. However, the lack of cause and effect makes for a confusing conclusion that doesn’t hit the intended emotional beat.

Even if it stumbles at the final hurdle, My Father’s Shadow stands as a poignant exploration of fatherhood and memory that marks an engrossing debut from Davies Jr.