MY FATHER'S SHADOW at Gasteig HP8: Lagos, Family, and Memory


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MY FATHER'S SHADOW: A Moving Family Portrait from Lagos
As part of the African Film Festival Munich 2026, MY FATHER'S SHADOW takes us into the vibrant metropolis of Lagos in 1993 on October 18, 2026. Akinola Davies Jr. combines personal storytelling with political history, creating an intense cinematic experience about closeness, memory, and the fragile relationship between a father and his sons.
A Journey Through Lagos of Political Upheaval
Folarin travels through the city with his sons Akin and Remi. While Lagos is marked by unrest and an impending democratic crisis, the shared journey becomes an emotional test. The film condenses this one day into a finely observed drama about family, alienation, and the possibility of a late reconciliation.
Poetic Visual Language and Precise Dramaturgy
Akinola Davies Jr.'s direction combines a lyrical film language with concrete social observation. The vibrant city life, the soundscape of Lagos, and the fragile dynamics within the family create a dense atmosphere. In the dramaturgy, personal memories intersect with political tensions, resulting in a compelling stage and cinematic experience about origin and belonging.
Award-Winning Debut from Nigeria
MY FATHER'S SHADOW celebrated its world premiere in 2025 in the Un Certain Regard section of the Cannes International Film Festival. As the first Nigerian film in the official selection of the festival, the work received a special mention for the Caméra d'Or. This semi-autobiographical debut is thus among the internationally recognized new voices of African cinema.
A Special Stage Experience at Gasteig HP8
The screening takes place in the projector of Gasteig HP8. The cinema hall, lighting mood, and acoustics provide the film with the concentrated space that its subtle interludes require. The audience can expect an intense cultural experience woven between family history, political drama, and poetic city observation.
Conclusion: MY FATHER'S SHADOW unfolds its impact through shared experience: as a touching family drama, as a cinematic journey through Lagos, and as an outstanding debut from Nigerian director Akinola Davies Jr. Those who appreciate contemporary African cinema and nuanced acting will experience an extraordinary festival moment here.
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