BFI London Film Fest

Aoife O’Kelly – Walking With Shadows #LFF2019

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8 min. and 25 sec.

Set in Nigeria, the story of a man on a path of trying to save his life from falling apart.

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Play Podcast
8 min. and 25 sec.
  1. PODCAST | Matt Micucci interviews Aoife O’Kelly, director of the film Walking With Shadows.

To listen to the interview, click on the ► icon on the right, just above the picture

An interview with Aoife O’Kelly, whose feature directorial debut, Walking With Shadows, was presented in the Love strand of the 2019 BFI London Film Festival. In this film, the Irish-born director talks with us about her fascinating journey to shooting her first feature in Nigeria and how she was able to approach the story, based on a book by Jude Dibia, and understand Nigerian culture. But she also talks about the universal themes of the film and how her previous experiences in various roles of film production – from editing to set design an beyond – have contributed to the formation of an auteurial style that is reflected in this film.

Walking With Shadows: Ebele Njoko (Ozzy Agu) has been running all his life. A search for acceptance and love from his family has led him to recreate himself as Adrian – respected father, husband and brother. When his mask is cruelly stripped away, Adrian’s world rapidly unravels. Adapted from Jude Dibia’s award-winning and critically acclaimed novel, Aoife O’Kelly’s articulate and sensitive film deftly discards the sensational for a depiction of queer Nigeria presented with care and incisive observation. The film is anchored by heartfelt performances from Ozzy Agu and Zainab Balogun as Ada, Adrian’s wife. Together, they explore a painful rift in a loving bond. Adrian’s quiet resilience throughout underlines the necessity for one to be self-loving, despite the cost.

To discover more about the film, click here.

Standard Podcast [ 8:25 ]
  • Reporter
    Matt Micucci
  • Guest
    Aoife O'Kelly
  • Interviewee role
    director
  • Film title
    Walking With Shadows
  • Festival section
    Love
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