Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti | |
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Directed by | Bolanle Austen-Peters |
Written by | Tunde Babalola |
Produced by | Bolanle Austen-Peters |
Starring | |
Edited by | Tanja Hagen |
Music by | George Acogny Alan Derian |
Production company | BAP Productions |
Release date |
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Running time | 91 minutes |
Country | Nigeria |
Language | English |
Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti is a 2024 biopic about the life and times of Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, a renowned Nigerian activist and mother of afrobeat Legend, Fela Kuti. [1]
The film was screened at the 12th edition of the Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) where it won the prizes for Best Overall Feature Film and Best Screenplay. [2] [3] [4]
The film follows Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti from her youth as the first female student at Abeokuta Grammar School, her meeting of- and marriage to Israel Ransome-Kuti, her career as an educationist and the formation of the Abeokuta Women's Union (initially called the Abeokuta Ladies' Club) which led to the revolt against colonial rule and the patriarchy. [2]
The story was potrayed as a series of flashbacks narrated by Joke Silva. [5]
An initial title of Funmilayo: Lioness of Lisabi was announced in 2021.The film had a limited release in 2023 and screened for 7 days at the Silverbird Galleria from September 8 to 15. [6] [5]
Ransome Kuti's grandchildren made appearances in the film with Dotun Ransome-Kuti played the role of his father, Olikoye Ransom-Kuti. Kunle-Ransome-Kuti also played the role of his father. [6]
The film was submitted for consideration as one of the Nigerian entry for the Foreign Feature Film category at the 96th Academy Awards by the Nigerian Official Selection Committee (NOSC) for the Academy of Motion Pictures, Arts and Sciences. [2] [5]
The film was released in Nigerian theatres on 17 May 2024. [7]
Year | Award | Category | Result | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|
2023 | Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) | Best Overall Feature Film | Won | [2] |
Best Screenplay | Won | |||
2024 | 2024 Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards | Best Costume Design | Nominated | |
Best Writing (Movie) | Won | |||
Best Movie | Nominated | |||
Fela Aníkúlápó Kútì, also famously known as Abàmì Ẹ̀dá, was a Nigerian musician, bandleader, composer, political activist, and Pan-Africanist. He is regarded as the King of Afrobeat, a Nigerian music genre that combines West African music with African-American funk and jazz. At the height of his popularity, he was referred to as one of Africa's most "challenging and charismatic music performers". AllMusic described him as "a musical and sociopolitical voice" of international significance.
Olufela Olufemi Anikulapo Kuti, popularly known as Femi Kuti, is a Nigerian musician born in London and raised in Lagos. He is the eldest son of Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti and a grandchild of political campaigner, women's rights activist and traditional aristocrat Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti.
Dr. Bekolari Ransome-Kuti was a Nigerian physician known for his work as a human rights activist.
Chief Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, MON, also known as Funmilayo Aníkúlápó-Kuti, was a Nigerian educator, political campaigner, suffragist, and women's rights activist.
Chief Elizabeth Adekogbe was a Nigerian nationalist, politician, women's rights leader and traditional aristocrat. She was the leader of the Ibadan-based Women's Movement of Nigeria. In 1954, the movement changed its name to Nigerian Council of Women, which in 1959 merged with the Women's Improvement League to form the National Council of Women Societies, a dominant pressure group and a leading women's coalition in Nigeria.
The Ransome-Kuti family is a Nigerian Yoruba political family noted for its simultaneous contributions to art, religion, education and medicine. It belongs to the Nigerian bourgeoisie, and also has historic links to the Nigerian chieftaincy system.
Abeokuta is the capital city of Ogun State in southwest Nigeria. It is situated on the east bank of the Ogun River, near a group of rocky outcrops in a wooded savanna; 77 kilometres (48 mi) north of Lagos by railway, or 130 kilometres (81 mi) by water. As of 2006, Abeokuta and the surrounding area had a population of 449,088.
Yemisi Ransome-Kuti is the only child of Azariah Olusegun Ransome-Kuti MBE. She is also the granddaughter of the Rev. Canon Josiah Ransome-Kuti. Her aunt Chief Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti was a foremost feminist in Nigeria who was also part of the delegation that went to negotiate the terms of independence for their country from the British.
Olikoye Ransome-Kuti was a paediatrician, activist and health minister of Nigeria.
Oludotun Baiyewu Jacobs,, known professionally as Olu Jacobs, is a veteran Nigerian actor and film executive. He began his career starring in several British television series and international films. Vanguard described him as one of the "godfathers of Nollywood", along wtih Pete Edochie. Trained at The Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, England, Olu Jacobs worked with various repertoire theatres in Britain and starred in some international movies.
Joke SilvaMFR is a veteran Nigerian actress, director, and businesswoman.
Nkiruka 'Kiki' Omeili is a Nigerian actress, best known for her role as Lovette in the TV series Lekki Wives. She is also known for her role as Blessing in the 2015 crime caper, Gbomo Gbomo Express alongside Gideon Okeke.
The Abeokuta Women's Revolt was a resistance movement led by the Abeokuta Women's Union (AWU) in the late 1940s against the imposition of unfair taxation by the Nigerian colonial government. The women of Abeokuta believed that, under colonialism, their economic roles were declining, while their taxes were increasing. Additionally, they argued that until they were granted representation in local government, they should not be required to pay taxes separately from men. As a result of their protests, four women received seats on the local council, and the taxation of women was ended.
Bolanle Austen-Peters, is a lawyer, a multiple award-winning movie director/producer, theater director/producer and cultural entrepreneur. She is the founder and artistic director of BAP Productions and the arts and culture center Terra Kulture in Lagos. She has been described by the CNN as the "woman pioneering theater in Nigeria", named one of the most influential women in Africa by Forbes Afrique and been recognised with several awards for her contribution to the arts.
Ọmọ́yẹni "Yeni" Aníkúlápó Kútì is a British-born Nigerian dancer and singer.
Josiah Jesse "J.J." Ransome-Kuti was a Nigerian clergyman and music composer. He was known for setting Christian hymns to indigenous music, and for writing Christian hymns in Yoruba.
Gender inequality refers to unequal treatment or perceptions of individuals wholly or partly due to their gender or sex. It arises from differences in socially constructed gender roles. Gender inequality in Nigeria is influenced by different cultures and beliefs. In most parts of Nigeria, women are considered subordinate to their male counterparts, especially in Northern Nigeria as well as in other sectors including the Nigeria music industry, politics, and education sector. It is generally believed that women are best suited as home keepers.
Abeokuta Grammar School is a secondary school in the city of Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria. It is currently located at Idi-Aba area, of Abeokuta. Often called the first grammar school in Nigeria, it is attended by students from all parts of Nigeria, the West Coast of Africa, South Africa, Europe and even Asia.
Grace Eniola Soyinka was a Nigerian shopkeeper, activist, and member of the aristocratic Ransome-Kuti family.
Tunde Babalola is a Nigerian screenwriter in Nigerian cinema and British television. He is most notable for writing movies such as Last Flight to Abuja, Critical Assignment, October 1 and Citation, as well as the Nigerian soap-opera Tinsel and UK series The Bill and In Exile. He also acted in the 2001 movie Deep Freeze, however it is not a career path he says he intends to pursue.