After winning the BAFTA for Outstanding Debut Film by a British Writer, Director and Producer for “In the Shadow of My Father” on Sunday night, Akinola Davies Jr. has decided to speak out about Palestine.
The critically acclaimed first film by the British-Nigerian filmmaker, who held flag pins of Palestine and the Democratic Republic of Congo at the ceremony, follows two brothers who attend a family gathering in Lagos during the 1993 Nigerian elections and witness their father’s daily struggles. Davis Jr. himself grew up between London and Lagos, so he felt compelled to emphasize the importance of immigrant stories in his speech.
“For economic migrants, conflict migrants, people under occupation, dictatorship, persecution, and those experiencing genocide, you matter and your stories matter now more than ever,” Davis Jr. said on stage alongside his brother and co-author Wale Davis. “Your dreams are acts of resistance. To those watching at home, archive your loved ones, archive your stories yesterday, today and forever. Free Palestine for Nigeria, for London, for Congo, for Sudan. Thank you.”
However, that part of Davis Jr’s speech is not reflected in BAFTA’s tape-delay BBC broadcast, which is usually shortened from three hours to two hours. This sparked outrage late Sunday night and into Monday morning. In particular, racial slurs shouted by Tourette’s activist John Davidson, the subject of the nominated film I Swear (who suffers from involuntary tics such as swearing), remained in place and were not removed until Monday afternoon.
In a statement about Davis Jr’s speech being edited, the BBC said: “The live event is three hours long, but will need to be shortened to two hours for the on-air slot. The same happened with other speeches on the night, and all edits have been made to ensure the program is delivered on time. All winners’ speeches will be available to watch via BAFTA’s YouTube channel.”
Speaking to Variety on Monday after winning the BAFTA, Davis Jr. acknowledged that editing was necessary for the broadcast, but said it was “unfortunate” that the last part of his speech was cut. But he’s still proud of how he used his moment in the spotlight to give a voice to the voiceless.
“Being able to say this in a room full of artists was really important to me in this moment, because when people see our film, we have the opportunity to influence people,” he says.
Davis Jr. also had the opportunity to meet with the team behind Gaza drama “The Voice of Hind Rajab,” which lost out to director Joachim Trier’s “Sentimental Value” in the non-English film category, and they thanked him for his words. “Even if they didn’t win the award, it was really great that someone championed what they were going through,” he added.
Below, Davies Jr details his first BAFTA win, shows solidarity with Palestine and talks about his next project.
“Father’s Shadow”
Congratulations on winning your first British Academy Award. What does this award mean to you? How did you feel when your name was called last night?
To be honest, I didn’t really expect to win. Obviously it’s a game I want to win, but I just tried to calm myself down and enjoy this opportunity for what it is. Thankfully, I made a note so I wouldn’t be in awe when I got on stage, but I was obviously very nervous. It means a lot to everyone below the line, Ṣọpẹ́ (Dìrísù), Godwin of Egbo and the Marvelous brothers, my brothers, the producers, all the executives and everyone who has been a part of our journey to get to this point over the last 15-16 years or so. And I’m really proud of this team. Because it takes a village, and I think everyone in that village is just as entitled to that victory as we are.
You ended your speech with “Freedom for Palestine.” Why was it important for you to use your platform to say that?
I think I’m very aware of what it means to have privilege, and I always try to acknowledge that. My mother always said, “There are so many people less fortunate than you, so you should really be grateful for what you have.” And I don’t think I realized until I was much older that being able to live in the bodies that we have, to be able to live in the society that we live in, is a true privilege that not many people on this planet are afforded. And as someone from an ethnic background who has experienced a country torn apart by civil war and genocide, I think it’s really important to recognize that the more we talk about these things, the more we can provide an opportunity for understanding and healing for more people. It is very important to show solidarity with what is happening in different countries such as Congo, Sudan, Palestine and Ukraine. Because in movies you always end up telling those stories after the fact. So I think it’s important to name things while they’re still in progress.
What did you think about the “Free Palestine” part of your speech being cut from the broadcast?
I think it’s common knowledge that TV versions require editing, so I guess they made that choice. I think it was very important in this moment to say this in a room full of artists. Because when people watch our films, we have the opportunity to influence them. I can’t really speak to the BBC and their choice. Naturally, BBC Films supported my film, so I can only vouch for the people within the BBC who I know, care about and love. I think that’s unfortunate. Because we’ve been protesting for the last three or four years to show solidarity with the Palestinian people, and we’ve had one of the largest political solidarity demonstrations in the UK. So I don’t think what I’m saying is new, but again, I’m not an organization, so I can’t make decisions like that.
People are furious that your speech was edited, but the racial slur shouted by Tourette’s activist John Davidson was left alone until Monday afternoon. What do you think about that?
This is a shame because I think what BAFTA was trying to do was celebrate diversity. I think “I Swear” is one of the standout movies[of the year]and obviously Robert Aramayo also gave a speech and talked about what it’s like to live with Tourette’s (for Davidson) and how a lot of his prompts are things he can’t control. Still, it’s incredibly hurtful to be on the biggest stage and have to hear racial slurs as a person of color, but I think there are ways to alleviate it. The host said (Davidson’s) comments were out of control and they tried to make the best of the situation. No matter how you look at it, I think what we were talking about was really sad, but I think a lot of people in that room last night were very proud of what the BAFTAs had accomplished in terms of recognizing our work.
On a lighter note, was there anyone you were excited to meet or interact with last night?
The production team of ‘The Voice of Hind Rajab’ really amazed me. I met Hind Rajab’s mother and they were all very proud that we had shown solidarity with Palestine, and we took a photo together and talked a little. Even if they didn’t win the award, it was still really great to see someone champion what they were going through. Joachim Trier was also really friendly and we exchanged some messages, and Chloe Zhao and Lin Ramsay too. I noticed that me and Ryan Coogler have the same hairstyle, the same hair pattern. It was a cool night.
Do you know where to store your trophies?
For now, it’s in my apartment. I do a lot of mentoring so I want to take this trophy with me and show it to as many young filmmakers as possible and have them all take a picture with the BAFTAs. Again, it’s not just about me. This award is actually for the entire creative community here in London and Nigeria. They often don’t get praise or praise, they have few resources, they just do their jobs and are very supportive of each other. And eventually it will reach Nigeria. I think my brother will give it to his nieces, so mine will probably be shared among all of them.
What’s next?
I’m working on a documentary so I’ll have to get back to that. The editor who worked on “My Father’s Shadow” is working on this piece, and we have some very exciting executives working on this piece as well. This also deals with similar themes to “In the Shadow of the Father,” and is almost like Part B, but in a documentary format. Then my brother and I decided to go on a writing trip and try to put together the first draft of what would be our next project. But I’m really excited to continue promoting “My Father’s Shadow.” It’s scheduled for release in France on March 25th, in Spain on March 5th, and in Brazil in early to mid-April. Indeed, that is my challenge for the time being.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity and length.
