My Father's Shadow

“If you die for Nigeria, you die for nothing,” says a man in ‘My Father’s Shadow,’ Akinola Davies’ feature debut. The British director of Nigerian descent pours his childhood memories into an exercise in autofiction that simultaneously offers a panorama of contemporary Nigeria, a country troubled by religious extremism and military dictatorship since the last century. It’s also a tribute to the paternal figure, as imperfect as it is loving. Alongside his brother Wale—who co-wrote the film—, Davies reopens his own wounds and those of his homeland, drawing inspiration from a profound loss, both of a loved one and of democracy itself. Like other great directors in recent years, he constructs a parallel between his own experiences and those of a convulsed nation: shared laments and grief.

'Dear Father, I will see you in my dreams' An autobiographical directorial debut by Nigerian filmmaker Akinola Davis Jr that focuses on election day 1993 in post colonial Nigeria and the first time of two brothers in Nigeria's biggest city Lagos with their father. Their father is absent for the most part of their life. However, this remains the only way to guarantee his family a living. The 90s was a decade of dictatorship in the hand of the military, a time of no freedom and lies. The one against them are either being killed or forced to shut their mouth. Akinola and Olaremi live their quiet life outside the tumult in a small village with their mother. Their first visit to Lagos will be one they will never forget. Those political and socioeconomic states become a trauma. Trauma is not only present when it comes to what is going on outside but also inside their family. Their dad has lost his brother at a very young age. Trauma and grief that held on until his son's birth. The scene at the beach reminiscent of Aftersun and Moonlight marks an emotional crescendo that strengthens the bond between the father and his eldest son who stands in his shadow. The ending not only is deeply moving and cathartic but it also marks the moment when Akinola has to step out of his father's shadow and step into his footsteps. With that being said, Akinola Davies Jr. achieves an ambitious piece of filmmaking that consists of some extremely well constructed scenes with sensible writing, capturing facial expressions and metaphoric edits.