An old African proverb states that until the lion tells the story, the hunter will always be the hero. In this spirit, award-winning Nigerian filmmaker Bolanle Austen-Peters’ latest biopic is a tribute to one of her nation's most influential figures, Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti. Through captivating storytelling, Austen-Peters sheds light on Ransome Kuti's pivotal role in leading one of the 20th century’s most significant women's rights movements. This fearless hero challenged oppressive taxes and fought tirelessly against injustices faced by women. Beyond her activism, she was a devoted mother to four children, among them the iconic musician, Fela Anikulapo Kuti. As ‘Funmilayo Ramsome-Kuti’ hits Amazon Prime, we speak with Austen-Peters about her film and the life of its legendary protagonist.

How would you summarise the film’s key takeaways?

The film opens with the 1978 Nigerian Army attack on the Kalakuta Republic, home to Fela Kuti. During the raid, Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti (FRK) is thrown from a second-floor window by "unknown soldiers" and hospitalised with severe injuries. In the hospital, she is interviewed by Isabelle Girard, a French journalist working for Reuters. The film flashes back to FRK's childhood in Abeokuta, where she becomes the first female student at Abeokuta Grammar School and meets Israel Ransome-Kuti. As adults, they marry, teach and raise a family. When FRK sees the unfair treatment of Abeokuta’s working-class women, she forms the Abeokuta Women’s Union, challenging the patriarchal society and colonial authorities. Her story underscores the themes of courage and truth, highlighting her fight for women’s empowerment and equality.

What originally motivated you to make a movie about her?

As a result of creating the musical ‘Fela and the Kalakuta Queens’, I began to dig and found out that Fela was an imitation of his mum. She had a sophisticated background and everything that she had done – from changing her religion to changing her name when she came back from Europe, to confronting government, to speaking for the oppressed – was everything that Fela became. So, I said, let me look at this woman.

What do we learn about FRK’s activism in the film?

FRK challenged societal norms and stood up for people’s rights, meeting leaders worldwide, including Ghana’s first president, Kwame Nkrumah. Her strength stemmed from her father's early investment in her education, instilling the belief that gender should never be a barrier. She notably fought against the over-taxation of women, confronting both local and colonial governments. She navigated all social strata, embraced her African identity, and practiced both Christianity and African religion despite her husband's position as a reverend. Her fashion sense also reflected her embrace of African culture. FRK's impact on gender equality is profound and achieved significant progress in Nigeria, embodying her message of equality, resistance to oppression and the rejection of racial or cultural superiority.

And what do we learn about FRK’s personal life?

People love a good love story and Israel and FRK's story is one of the best. They were separated for seven years – with Israel attending boarding school in Sierra Leone and FRK going to England – and when they reunite, they marry. Israel was a key figure in her success, showing that strong men need not feel threatened by powerful women; they are, in fact, an addition to one's life. FRK’s relationship with her supportive father is equally inspiring. In making the film, we portrayed her as a well-rounded character, balancing her background, her education, her love story, and her close relationship with her husband's family, including Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka's mother.

The movie timeline traverses several decades. How did you approach costuming and set design?

The movie spans 1914 through to the 1950s, so it was quite a challenge. However, I brought in experts, Ituen Basi and Folake Coker, who are two foremost designers in Nigeria, to work alongside me and my formidable costume and design team at Terrakulture. It was a very fascinating process and people say that one of the most interesting bits of the story for them is seeing how we were able to merge local costumes with fashions of those times, such as the fancy gloves and hats of the 1930s.

What were the biggest challenges and triumphs in the journey of making of the film?

We faced numerous challenges, starting with funding. I financed the project with help from a few friends, but money was always tight. This meant having to handle more responsibilities and having to cut a lot, such as VFX. The heat in Abeokuta was intense, especially in December, so filming in such conditions was tough. Yet we managed to work around these issues and our triumphs were remarkable. The camaraderie among the cast and crew was incredible; we all remained friends. The Kuti family's positive reaction was especially gratifying. They were thrilled with the final product and praised our work, which meant the world to me. And when the film came out, we won Best Feature Film in Africa at AFRIFF, a major success.

A decade ago, you were known as a theatre director. How has this background influenced your filmmaking process?

The comprehensive experiences of theatre – blocking, guiding actors, mastering lighting, set design and sound – have all seamlessly transitioned into my filmmaking. As an actor's director, I prioritise the actor's journey and emotional authenticity. The disciplines I honed on stage have directly influenced my approach to film and I guess that’s why it’s been a short, meteoric rise for me in filmmaking.

Can we expect more work from your collaboration with the Kuti family in future?

The family have been so cooperative, kind and willing to share information. Yeni is a gem. Femi, Made, all of them have been so supportive throughout the process. I am looking forward to working a lot more with the family. Yes, I believe a lot more would come from there.

Why is it important for everyone to see the movie?

First and foremost, it is an educational piece. Beyond that, it addresses contemporary biases, particularly those instilled in some men about women's roles. Watching this film broadens one's perspective on the invaluable contributions women make. Additionally, it showcases the vast potential one can achieve by embracing and understanding diverse cultures while remaining true to oneself. Young men and women alike can draw profound lessons from FRK's boldness, tenacity and courage in the face of terror and oppression.

‘Funmilayo Ramsome-Kuti’ is now available to view on Amazon Prime Video worldwide.