Bolanle Austen Peters’ movie, featuring Joke Silva, Kehinde Bankole, and Adunni Ade, is a biopic titled “Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti.” Set for a nationwide cinema release on May 17, 2024, it follows a well-received limited screening in 2023. Initially shown for a week at Silverbird Cinema in Victoria Island, Lagos, from September 8 to September 14, 2023, the film garnered praise from the Anikulapo-Kuti family, paving the way for its broader release the following year.
The narrative of “Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti” chronicles the life of Fela Anikulapo-Kuti’s mother, from her groundbreaking years as the first female pupil at Abeokuta Grammar School to her marriage to Israel Ransome-Kuti. Together, they challenged injustice by founding the Abeokuta Women’s Union, sparking conflict with traditional and colonial leaders opposed to their pursuit of justice and fairness.
Featuring stellar performances by Silva, Bankole, Ade, Iyimide Ayo-Olumoko, Ibrahim Suleiman, and Iremide Adeoye, the film transcends the screen’s boundaries, earning recognition at the Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) with awards for Best Overall Feature Film and Best Screenplay.
While biographical films are relatively rare in Nollywood, known for its vibrant comedies, dramas, and thrillers, the impending broad release of “Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti” reflects a growing interest in showcasing the lives of significant Nigerians.
“Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti” pays homage to an extraordinary woman of strength and determination, underscoring the transformative power of filmmaking to immortalize inspiring figures and their legacies.
