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January 30, 2026

Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù: ’If the west doesn’t say a film is good, that doesn’t mean it’s no good’

While it’s a love letter to a Lagos he has never actually lived in, the Gangs of London actor says his Cannes-conquering new film My Father’s Shadow has themes that will touch audiences all over the world, from Nigeria to Korea

Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù: ’If the west doesn’t say a film is good, that doesn’t mean it’s no good’

TL;DR

  • Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù stars in and executive produced 'My Father's Shadow,' filmed in Lagos, Nigeria.
  • The film, set during Nigeria's 1993 election crisis, focuses on a father reconnecting with his sons amidst political unrest.
  • Themes include grief, loss, family, fatherhood, masculinity, connection, and absence.
  • Dìrísù drew on his own relationship with his father for his performance, embracing his Nigerian heritage.
  • The film was shot in Yoruba, pidgin, and English, and has connected with audiences worldwide, including Korea.
  • Dìrísù clarifies that 'My Father's Shadow' is not the first Nigerian film at Cannes, but the first in the Official Selection.
  • The project aimed to capture and honor the essence of Lagos in the 80s and 90s, preserving memories of that time and place.

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