“Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti” is a masterpiece directed by Bolanle Austen-Peters. It tells the incredible story of Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti through brilliant storytelling, unique characters, and impeccable craftsmanship.
The film stars Kehinde Bankole and Joke Silva who both give outstanding performances as Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti at different stages in her life. Starting from when she became the first female student at Abeokuta Grammar School to getting married with Ibrahim Suleiman’s Israel Ransome-Kuti, the movie captures every moment of her relentless fight against oppression.
There was hardly any ground-breaking thing which she did not pioneer; this film recognises that fact about her. The costumes used in this movie are very representative of what people wore during those times so one could easily feel like they have been transported back into history while watching it.
A mix between Yoruba and English languages were employed here for communication purposes thus enriching its narrative around culture and tradition specific to Abeokuta then.
Female power and feminism serve as hidden themes throughout “Funmilayo Ransom Kuti.” This shines a bright light on the strength that comes when women join hands together against all odds thereby indicating unity among women is powerful. Besides showing them capable of great accomplishments if only they set their minds to it just like Funmiralo herself did.They should also be seen holding positions of authority where men have failed dismally such were these chiefs whom neither feared nor respected by anyone let alone their wives hence why Nigerian government found itself being challenged by funmilalo ramsom kuti among other women rights activities groups who were advocating for social justice etcetera.
It also exposes how much influence colonial powers had over traditional rule systems during those days coupled with corruption. Here, funmiralo ramsom kuti decides to confront both chiefs and government officials because she knew too well that poverty was being systematically caused among masses by these individuals who should be protecting them from it.
The cinematography used in this film is just amazing as it compliments the storytelling through showing characters’ emotions visually, struggles and triumphs.
Therefore, attention to detail played a major role when replicating visuals from that era since even slight misplacement of things would make viewers feel like they are not watching something set during early 20th century thus undermining authenticity which adds depth into narratives like what happened here with funmilalo ramsom kuti’s story being told through “Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti”.
Also worth noting is the director’s vision and appropriateness; there were so many ways in which this movie could have gone wrong. If Bolanle Austen-Peters had allowed for a broader scope of Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti’s life as an educator or mother to be covered by the film perhaps it would have been overwhelmed by its own weight.
This movie completely changes that narrative and ensures people see her for more than tired old stories which could easily erode away at everything she achieved.
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