“Funmilayo Ransome Kuti” the film, is a film that tells the story of the late Funmilayo Ransome Kuti. She was a renowned Nigerian educator, political campaigner, women’s rights activist, and the mother of Afrobeat legend, Fela Kuti. The film explores her days as a student at Abeokuta Grammar School, her marriage to Isreal Ransome-Kuti, and her revolutionary fight against colonialism and patriarchy through the creation of the Abeokuta’s Women’s Union.
Funmilayo Ransome Kuti together with her husband opposed injustice and founded the Abeokuta Women’s Union. This action then led to a bloody conflict with traditional and colonial leaders who stood in the way of justice and fairness.
This film is written by Tunde Babalola and directed by Bolane Austen-Peters. The cast of the film includes Kehinde Bankole, Ajoke Silva, Adunni Ade, Adebayo Salami, Omowunmi Dada, Jide Kosoko, Dele Odule, Ibrahim Suleiman, Bikiya Graham-Douglas, Yewande Osamein, and Iyimide Ayo-Olumoko.
It also includes special appearances from her grandchildren, including Femi Kuti and Yeni Kuti who portrays her aunt Dolupo. Dotun Ransome Kuti plays his father Olikoye, while Kunle Ransome-Kuti takes on the role of his father Fela Anikulapo-Kuti. Great-grandson Made Kuti also makes an appearance.
Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti has been scheduled for nationwide cinema release on May 17, 2024, following a well-received limited screening in 2023. The biopic was among the Nigerian feature films selected for screening at the 12th Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF 2023) and was also nominated for Best Costume Design and Best Writing Movie in this year’s Africa Magic Viewers Choice Award.
The broad release of the film Funmilayo Ransome Kuti shows the growing interest in displaying the lives of significant Nigerians, which we have not been doing before.
Funmilayo Ransome Kuti is a film that honors an extraordinary woman with strength and determination, demonstrating the power of filmmaking and it promises to be a good watch. The trailer is also out and you can watch it in anticipation of a great screen time.
