Veteran Nollywood Actor Joke Silva and Kehinde Bankole are set to play the first female political leader, Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, in a new movie.
The movie ‘Biopic’ is directed by Bolanle Austen Peters and will also feature the Kuti Children and Grandchildren in the forthcoming production.
Joke Silva will play the role of ‘the lioness of Lisabi’, while Kehinde Bankole will play the role of the young Funmilayo.
Joke Silva and Kehinde Bankole Plays Funmilayo Ransome Kuti
The director of the much-anticipated movie said they wanted to create an original project, so they went for the authenticity by introducing the actual blood of Funmilayo Ransome Kuti in the room.
Funmilayo had four children, “They were all represented by their children and niece from Dolupo, Olikoye, Olufela aka “Fela” and Bekolari. “she said.
She added that “the head of the Ransome-Kuti family, Mr Dotun Ransome-Kuti was represented, the first child was there too, Yeni playing her Aunt Dolupo and Fela’s son too, Kunle, was there playing Fela, his father.”
Peters said they were granted access to the family archive and the Ransome Kuti estate, a real privilege.
Bankole, who is playing the young Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, said she is delighted to play this role, as her personality trait could be likened to that of the late activist.
“I detest corruption and injustice, and this is indeed a deep and very personal call to me to do more in my fight for the underprivileged and continue speaking up,” Bankole added.
The movie will be released in 2022 and shot in different locations, including Lagos and Abeokuta.
