Released in cinemas nation-wide on May 17th was Bolanle Austen-Peter’s latest film Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti , a biopic of Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, Fela Anikulakpo-Kuti’s mother.
Fumilayo Ransome-Kuti was born in Abeokuta, currently part of Ogun State, and was the first female student at Abeokuta Grammar School. In her early adulthood, she worked as a teacher, setting up some of the country’s first preschool classes and organizing literacy programs for low-income women.
In the 1940s, Ransome-Kuti founded the Abeokuta Women’s Union and championed women’s rights, pushing for greater representation of women in local governance and the elimination of unfair taxes on market women.
Dubbed the “Lioness of Lisabi” by the media, she organized marches and protests involving up to 10,000 women, leading to the temporary abdication of the ruling Alake in 1949.
As her political influence expanded, Ransome-Kuti became involved in the Nigerian independence movement, participating in conferences and joining delegations abroad to discuss proposed national constitutions.
She played a key role in founding the Nigerian Women’s Union and the Federation of Nigerian Women’s Societies, advocating for women’s voting rights in Nigeria and gaining recognition as a prominent figure in international peace and women’s rights movements.
Her dedication to social justice, women’s right and significant contributions to political and educational reforms is accurately portrayed in the movie.
Written by Tunde Babalola and directed by Bolane Austen-Peters, the film features 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.
The movie also includes special appearances by her grandchildren, such as Femi Kuti and Yeni Kuti, who plays her aunt Dolupo. Dotun Ransome-Kuti portrays his father Olikoye, while Kunle Ransome-Kuti plays his father Fela Anikulapo-Kuti. Great-grandson Made Kuti also appears in the film.
The film honours the legacy of Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, and the cast list didn’t disappoint.
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