A Review of West Africa’s Biggest Biopic: Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti

Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti is a movie that tells the story of the woman of the same name and her legendary roles in the protests of Egba Market Women in the 1940s. The 89-minute screen reminds us of an essential moment in our history gradually eroding from memory. The actual events of the story are rich enough for a serious filmmaker to make a blockbuster. As Producer and Director, Bolanle Austen-Peters did not do badly.

For his efforts, veteran screenwriter Tunde Babalola did not disappoint. Only a boss could create such intense conflicts as was seen during the protests. Perhaps the intention was not to pursue the mythical aspects of some concepts viz when Funmilayo tore off the Ogboni leader’s charm or when the Alake cursed her. These are consequential events in our culture that deserved proper tidying up. Regardless, the legitimacy of the AMVCA award and other awards to Mr. Babalola for his efforts in FRK is not contentious.

The acting was okay. With her performance, AMVCA award winner for best female lead (though for a different movie), Kehinde Bankole writes her name in gold. Through her we see Funmilayo Ransome Kuti as a passionate woman, not a senseless, unruly thug. A very important interpretation in support of Madam Ransome Kuti’s legacy when her heroism is questioned in the future. Watching Joke Silva, one wonders if she was still acting, reminiscing the death of her character’s husband or relieving the loss of her own husband to Alzheimer’s. She carried this convergence of performance and real life with so much grace. Yet, I think the most outstanding performers are the unpopular actors with the minor roles like Iya Supo and Iya gbangba and the Egba market women. They recreated the protests fantastically. Omowumi Dada’s role depiction of Grace Eniola was just like her son, Wole Soyinka had previously described.

However, since family members were doing cameos, Made Kuti would have depicted Fela better. And it is high time Nollywood directors stopped accepting less from foreign actors. It was poor acting by the expatriates, perhaps they are not professional actors.

The costume and props were good and realistic. No one would easily doubt the setting of the 1950s as depicted. Although those efforts were deficient in the 1977 era. It makes sense that the bulk of the movie is about the earlier time frame. But the latter time is part of the movies too.

The cinematography was basic. Not too much heroism, but simply okay. The capturing of the conflicts was however superb. Those action sequence were perhaps the most enjoyable aspect of the movie. While the use of technology to make the number of people appear many than they actually are was good, deficiency in the effort was glaring when the crowd was violently dispersed. There were protesters being beaten in front and other protesters were simply standing behind not reacting. That was not tidy.

Sound could have been better. The sound effects missed the opportunity to drive home the story and largely deficient in some specifically emotional scenes. The selection of soundtracks was also suboptimal. Can’t pick a finger around it particularly but, something was off.

The film was okay generally but it is unforgiveable that Egba Chiefs and women spoke Yoruba without the Ake accent. Nonetheless, the project is a much needed reawakening, reminding us of the power of the people in changing their society. For a minute, one almost forgot that Mrs. Olufunmilayo Ransome Kuti was more than just the first Nigerian woman to drive a car.

If you have not watched Olufunmilayo Ransome-Kuti, I recommend you do.