Funmilayo Ransome - Kuti (2024)

Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti is a movie about the life of Mrs. Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti (played by Kehinde Bankole). Mrs., Ransome-Kuti who was a Nigerian educator, political campaigner, women’s rights activist, and mother of Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti. Directed by Bolanle Austen-Peters, the story covers a large portion of her life including the fact that she was the first female student at Abeokuta Grammar School. The movie also take viewers through moments of her life when she led the Abeokuta Women’s Union in a revolt against colonial rule and patriarchy. It highlights a lot of her contributions to Nigeria’s history.

Movie Title: Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti

Year of Release: 2024
Date of Release: May 17, 2024 (Nigeria)
Director: Bolanle Austen-Peters
Writer: Tunde Babalola
Producers: Bolanle Austen-Peters
Production Companies: BAP Productions
Distributor: Filmoneng

Cast and Roles:

Kehinde Bankole as Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti
Joke Silva as Older Funmilayo
Iyimide Ayo-Olumoko as Younger Funmilayo
Ibrahim Suleiman as Israel Ransome-Kuti
Jide Kosoko as Otun
Iremide ‘Fantasticks’ Adeoye as Young Israel Ransome-Kuti
Dele Odule as Osi
Adebayo Salami as Alake
Keppy Ekpenyong as Josiah
Adunni Ade as Mrs. Thompson
Omowunmi Dada as Grace Eniola
Patrick Diabuah as Mr. Thomas
Peter Thomas as Dundee
Esther Oluwayemi as Iya Gbanba
Adeola Omomo as Middle Aged Olikoye
Abosede Ozah-Osho as Bertha Josiah
Roland Obutu as Chief Enforcer

Running Time: I hour 29 minutes
Age Rating: 16+

Content Advisory: violence and foul language
Country: Nigeria
Language: English
Genres: Biography, Drama

Note:
The movie won Best Overall Feature Film and Best Screenplay at the 2023 Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF). It is also noteworthy to point out that the film was submitted for consideration as Nigeria’s entry for the Best International Feature Film category at the 96th Academy Awards.

What Other Reviewers Are Saying:

"By presenting fragments of Funmilayo’s life, the biopic doesn’t attempt to be a Wikipedia page of her story, but a representation of pivotal moments of her life." — Seyi Lasisi, Afrocritik

"FRK was a progressive women’s rights activist and a foremost voice in the Nigerian political scene, especially in the struggle for independence. Her legacy has long needed revision, and Bolanle Austen-Peters’ biopic accomplishes enough to create a new narrative." — Ayodele Olawumi, What Kept Me Up

"To end with, Funmilayo Ransome Kuti is still the best biopic I’ve seen in a very long time. The ensemble, the clothes, the dialect junction, the music, and the setting are all exquisitely revealing and absorbing, realistic and raw – all come together to create a masterpiece that I will enjoy for a very long time." — Minkail Olaitan, Akatunka

"While Bolanle Austen-Peters’ biopic on Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti takes a bold leap in Nollywood’s approach to biographical storytelling, the creative liberty of the director overclouds the distinction between fact and fiction." — Yinka Adetu, The Republic

Verayea’s Take:

"One of the standout moments for me was the protest scene in front of the Alake of Egbaland’s palace. When Kehinde launched into her speech in Yoruba, I was absolutely floored—it was powerful and deeply moving."
— Ufuoma Akpotaire, Verayea

⭐ Verayea Rating:

4.5 / 5

Check out our review of the movie Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti here.