My Father's Shadow 2026

Unexpected reunion with Folarin in the countryside

While playing in the Nigerian countryside, the brothers unexpectedly run into their father, Folarin. He decides to spend more time with them and agrees to take them along to his work in Lagos. Aki pleads for more time with his father, and Folarin promises to bring them along on the trip.

Minibus journey to Lagos interrupted by fuel shortage

They board a minibus toward Lagos, but the vehicle soon runs out of fuel. With few options, they decide to hitchhike the rest of the way to the city. The journey tests their patience and resilience as they press on toward Lagos.

Arrival and news at Folarin's Lagos workplace

In Lagos, Folarin introduces his sons to his workplace and reveals that he has not been paid for six months. The stark financial reality underscores the precarity of his life. He resolves to stay in Lagos with the children until his colleague's manager returns.

Family through Lagos streets as military looms

Folarin and his sons walk the bustling Lagos streets, where the military's presence is felt throughout the city. They seek small moments of normalcy amid the tension and watch the city go by. The atmosphere remains uneasy as soldiers monitor the streets.

A day of leisure: amusement park, street food, and the beach

A day of simple pleasures unfolds as they visit an amusement park, try street foods, and swim at the beach. The outing strengthens the bond between father and sons, while Folarin quietly bears the strain of his situation. These moments stand in contrast to the looming political unrest.

Folarin's nosebleeds and bonding with his sons

Throughout the day, Folarin suffers nosebleeds that threaten their activities. He uses these moments to teach his children about fraternal love and the value of family. He also shares the memory of his own brother who died by drowning.

Visions of his brother and Remi's name

By evening, Folarin begins to see visions of his brother's restless spirit. The vision lingers until he names his son Remi after his late brother, anchoring memory in the family.

Back at the workplace and a cafe invitation

As evening returns, the family goes back to the workplace, where the manager remains absent. A colleague invites them to a cafe where they drink palm wine and watch a televised report about the 1993 presidential election. The children learn that Folarin is having an affair with Abike, a young woman who works at the cafe.

Election announcement, chaos, and a hostile checkpoint

News of the election annulment triggers chaos in the cafe, and the family tries to get home as the streets erupt. They are stopped at a military checkpoint where an aggressive soldier claims to recognize Folarin from a violent incident the previous week. Folarin's nose bleeds again as they are eventually allowed to pass.

Tragedy: Folarin's death

Sometime later, Folarin dies, leaving Aki, Remi, and their mother to grieve and adapt to life without him. The film shifts toward the family coping with loss against a backdrop of national turbulence.