Silverbird Galleria in Victoria Island was abuzz with excitement as Enough is Enough (EIE) Nigeria and BudgIT hosted a special screening of the latest Nollywood biopic, “Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti” on May 30.
The purpose of the screening, according to EIE, was to spark a dialogue highlighting the late Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti’s leadership role during the colonial era.
In attendance at the screening was the film’s director, Bolanle Austen-Peters, as well as musician Seun Kuti, Wemimo Adewumi (Media & Communications Manager at WARDC), Abosede George-Ogan (Executive Director at WILAN Global), and Active Citizens & UNILAG students Tolulope Hicks and Eyikogbe Toluwalope.
During the dialogue, Austen-Peters shared her inspiration behind the film, citing Funmilayo’s renowned son, Fela Kuti, as a catalyst. “If Fela Kuti was like that, I wanted to know what his mother was like,” she explained.
Speaking to TNR, Eyikogbe Toluwalope stressed Funmilayo’s leadership qualities. “Watching the movie aroused my political and civic interests,” he said, adding that sitting on the panel with distinguished guests like Seun Kuti and Austen-Peters was a great privilege.
Released nationwide on May 17 to positive reviews, “Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti” stars Kehinde Bankole, Joke Silva, Iyimide Ayo-Olumoko, Ibrahim Suleiman, Jide Kosoko, and Mowunmi Dada.
Since its release, discussions on patriotism and nationalism have been on the rise, shining a light on the “Lioness of Lisabi” more than four decades after her death.