To Aki and Remi, their father Folarin cuts an imposing mysterious figure, working as he does in faraway Lagos. In one of his rare visits home, Folarin does something he’s never done before—he asks the pair to come to the city with him. During their journey and many hours spent wandering around Lagos, Folarin gradually ceases being godlike. Instead, the boys begin to see him as the imperfect human he is. Meanwhile, around them the country erupts as Nigeria’s military leadership annuls its presidential election. The first Nigerian film to premiere at Cannes, director Akinola Davies Jr.’s indelible inaugural feature won a Golden Camera Special Mention. Equally impressive in their own debuts in this resonant drama are real-life brothers Godwin and Chibuike Marvellous Egbo who play Aki and Remi. —Bri’anna Moore
Akinola Davies, Jr.
Akinola Davies Jr. is a multidisciplined filmmaker, writer, and video artist. His work is situated between West Africa and the UK as he identifies as a member of the global diaspora who is situated within the margins of being part of both worlds. Akinola tries to delicately navigate the collision of both colonial and imperial tradition while advocating a return to Indigenous narratives. He explores themes of community, race, spirituality, identity, and gender, telling the stories that bridge the gap between traditional and millennial communities. He draws from aspects of collective, individual memory, and lived experience.
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