Nothing is as empowering as a charismatic woman who knows her worth, stands her ground, and fights for what she believes in.
The Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti movie is giving us everything we could ask for as it showcases women’s power at its finest.
The movie beautifully narrates the life and times of a courageous woman, popularly referred to as the ‘Lioness of Lisabi,’ who changed the course of history in Egbaland and colonial Nigeria through her doggedness and drive to alleviate the problems faced by women, particularly the Egba Market Women.
While exploring the changes that came forth from Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti’s activism and fight for women’s rights, there is a need to celebrate the formidable cast that brought the movie to life and showcased her history with maximum finesse.
Kehinde Bankole
The AMVCA10 Best Lead Actress devoured this role and left no crumbs. As Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, the lady, teacher, and wife of Israel Ransome-Kuti, Kehinde showed strength, and the way she embodied the character left us with no doubt that she was the best person for this role.
Ibrahim Suleiman
Ibrahim, in his role as Israel Ransome-Kuti, redefined the definition of a supportive spouse and great man. He was the force behind Funmilayo, supporting her as she fought for the rights of the Egba Market Women.
His actions show that he was a partner that could be relied on at every stage of their lives, and although he later died of cancer, his wife cherished him until her dying days.
Iyimide Ayo-Olumoko
New to the scene, Iyimade owned the role of Frances Olufunmilayo Thomas (the younger Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti).
What we loved most about her character was her wit and eloquence, which gave us a glimpse of who Funmilayo was as a child and a teenager. Although we don’t see a lot of her in the movie, especially as the movie progresses, she definitely had us glued to the cinema screen at the very start.
Joke Silva
Who does it better than this veteran actress? If there must be an answer, it would be very few. For this movie, no one could have played the role of the older Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, who had fought the good fight and survived the brutality of the colonial government better than Joke.
She flawlessly narrates the story of Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti and gives us a look into how much family meant to her, her regrets, triumphs, her love life, and her motivations.
Omowunmi Dada
Omowunmi played the role of Grace Eniola Soyinka, the sister of Israel Ransome-Kuti and a close friend and confidante of her sister-in-law, Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti.
We see Grace Eniola Soyinka as a sounding board for Funmilayo, supporting her, cautioning her, helping her navigate relations with other women, and rowing through the rough waters of the revolution.
Her relationship with her sister-in-law shows the power of sisterhood and the joys of having loving in-laws.
Adunni Ade
While we want to give Adunni accolades, we think that her role in this movie was merely that of a supporting role.
She was an elite lady who was first an early member of the Abeokuta Women’s Club and later, a part of the Abeokuta Women’s Union. Her character supported Funmilayo and the Egba Market Women through the protest that ended up causing a revolution that changed the course of Egbeland history.
Adebayo Salami, Jide Kosoko, and Dele Odule
No trio could play a stubborn Alake and his stiff-necked chiefs as well as they did. You could literally feel their power, strength, and emotions as the revolution unfolded.
Their characters are prime examples of toxic masculinity and bring to light the deplorable way women are treated in Nigeria’s patriarchal societies. It shows how women are more or less seen as objects that are to be owned and controlled, silly baby-making machines that have no right to desire a better life, let alone fight for their rights.
Their arrogance and disregard for women, alongside their overdependence on the colonial government, soon proved to be their downfall as Funmilayo and the Egba Market Women didn’t just break the back of culture but defeated their brutal efforts to shut them down.
What we take away from all that unfolded during the Egba Women’s Revolution is that then or now, it is in your best interest to ‘Never Underestimate A Woman.’
When women unite, you can do nothing but fall in line or face the consequences.
The Kuti Clan
Dotun Ransome-Kuti (portraying his dad, Olikoye Ransome-Kuti), Yeni Anikulapo-Kuti (playing the role of her aunt, Dolupo Ransome-Kuti), and Kunle Ransome-Kuti (acting as his dad, Fela Kuti) also featured in the movie, playing the roles of children flocking to the older Funmilayo (lioness of Lisabi) in her sick bed.
