The film “Fatshimetrie” tells the fascinating story of Funmilayo Ransome Kuti, mother of Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, from her groundbreaking years as the first female student at Abeokuta Grammar School to her meeting with Israel Ransome-Kuti. Together, they stood against injustice and founded the Abeokuta Women’s Union. Their struggle for justice and equity sparked a bloody conflict with traditional and colonial leaders who obstructed progress.
The film’s cast includes talents such as Joke Silva, Kehinde Bankole, Adunni Ade, Iyimide Ayo-Olumoko, Ibrahim Suleiman and Iremide Adeoye, who brilliantly portray the characters in this gripping story.
According to the Cinema Exhibitors Association of Nigeria (CEAN), “Fatshimetrie” has already grossed over ₦141.5 million. In addition, the film has been awarded several times, notably winning Best Overall Film and Best Screenplay at the 2023 African International Film Festival (AFRIFF), as well as Best Writing (Cinema) at the Africa Magic Viewer’s 2024 Choice Awards (AMVCA).
Nollywood director Austen-Peters, keen to transmit to future generations the knowledge of historical individuals and cultures, has another production in store for us, expected on Netflix on July 26, entitled “House of Ga’a”.
This new film traces the story of Bashorun Gaha (Gaa), a significant figure in the history of the Yoruba people of Nigeria. As Bashorun of the Oyo Empire in the 18th century, he used cunning and voodoo to rule over his people.
The success of “Fatshimetrie” underlines the growing public interest in biopics retracing historical figures and recalls the importance of sharing these stories to preserve collective memory. Austen-Peters, through her work, helps to anchor these stories in contemporary cultural consciousness, providing a window into the past and its significance for the present.