My Father's Shadow

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Evan C @RT74783562 Jul 15, 2026 My Father's Shadow feels like pure poetry in its depiction of two boys travelling to Lagos with their father. There's a lyricism to how scenes & portraits are interwoven, & a gentleness to the narrative despite the turmoil of Nigeria in 1993. A great debut from Akinola Davies Jr. See more Tom F @RT55173143 Jul 11, 2026 A slow going but highly watchable look at boys learning to understand their father just a little bit. See more Wayne M @Wayne93 Jun 30, 2026 My Father's Shadow is a unique and fascinating film. It's heartfelt and authentic and very true to itself. The film marks the feature debut from Nigerian-British director Akinola Davies and is set in Nigeria in 1993. The country is contolled by the military and elections are around the corner. We follow two young brothers in Akin and Remy in the countryside. Their father Folarin collects them and takes them to Lagos, where he works. So sets off an adventure for all three, with turmoil and chaos around them. The film is effectively told through the eyes of the two young boys and how they see their father and also the troubled country, it is very effective at this. The film does a superb job of capturing the feeling of the times and the sense of place. Sope Dirisu is very good as the father, whilst the real life brothers are superb as the brothers in the film. An assured and impressive debut film. See more MB C @MB.Cinema Jun 20, 2026 My Father’s Shadow is a heartfelt drama that turns a simple journey into a powerful story of family and memory. Set in 1990s Nigeria, it follows two boys reconnecting with their distant father during a single transformative day. The film blends personal emotion with political unrest, seen through the innocent lens of childhood. Strong writing and intimate performances give the story authenticity and emotional depth. Its slow pacing and occasional over-explanation of the political backdrop may not work for everyone. Quiet yet moving, it’s a touching reflection on fatherhood, absence, and the moments that shape us. See more Vincent S @Vin_E_At_The_Movies May 14, 2026 This is a beautiful, harrowing, emotional and powerful drama about family. It is one of the most perceptive and heartbreaking family dramas in years. The performances by Sope Dirisu and especially the kids are magical and extremely strong and natural. See more Nicholas T. @TaylorNC17 May 8, 2026 Hard to muster the words after seeing… a beautiful and poetic meditation on life, family and freedom, profound in its simplicity. See more Read all reviews

My Father's Shadow

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