In the new biographical film Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, Nollywood actress Omowunmi Dada discusses her portrayal of Grace Eniola Soyinka, the mother of Nigerian playwright and novelist, Wole Soyinka.
She expressed her gratitude at being privileged to play the character and share her life story with a global audience. In addition to being a loving mother, she was a brave defender of equality and justice. She remarked, “I feel privileged to have the chance to capture her essence and present her legacy to the world”.
Dada’s depiction of Soyinka’s mother delves deeper into her fight against structural injustice. Dada captures the complexity of her personality by highlighting everything from her unwavering bravery and courage to her deep love and selflessness for her family.
With 20,000 members, the Abeokuta Women’s Union was founded by Soyinka’s mother and her aunt-in-law Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti in opposition to taxes imposed by the Alake of Abeokuta. The union later transformed into the Nigerian Women’s Union, a nationwide organization.
The life of Kuti, the mother of Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, is chronicled in the movie. It begins with her trailblazing years as the first female student at Abeokuta Grammar School and ends with her marriage to Israel Ransome-Kuti. She started the Abeokuta Women’s Union with her husband in an effort to fight injustice. This resulted in a violent confrontation between the colonial and traditional elites who obstructed justice and equity.
In addition to Joke Silva, Kehinde Bankole, Adunni Ade, Iyimide Ayo-Olumoko, Ibrahim Suleiman, and Iremide Adeoye, the film is directed by Bolanle Austen-Peters and Ibrahim Taofik.
Dada is renowned for her adaptability and has made a name for herself as one of the most gifted actors in the Nigerian entertainment sector. She has appeared in several films, including Tinsel, The Ghost and the Tout (2018), Shuga (2019), and The Gods are Still Not To Blame (2012).