The decline of Ghana’s movie industry can be attributed to several factors, according to actor and stage/film director Fiifi Coleman.
In an interview on Onua Showbiz with Naana Kwame Gyan, he emphasized that the industry’s struggles stem from the heavy influence of foreign cultures and the lack of authentic African storytelling in films.
He further noted that the growing number of producers, screenwriters, and cameramen has taken precedence over the production of high-quality content.
“A time came people realized that shooting movies was becoming profitable so everybody became a cameraman, everybody became a soundman and they were doing that until they messed up the industry. So, there were so many round pegs in square holes. And the storytelling became copy-copy such that some foreign cultures were influencing us.
“The education that we needed at the time was okay but everybody came in and wanted to do something which messed up the whole industry,” he said.
He pointed out that many producers and industry players left the industry due to challenges in securing reliable distribution channels for their films.
“And then in the same space, we lost the whole distribution. After shooting the movie where to distribute it became a challenge. And so, everybody was reluctant and people quit. So, there was a vacuum and everybody stopped,” he bemoaned.
Ghanaian artiste Razak Amissah, popularly known as Zack Gh, has confidently stated that he holds the title of the most successful actor cum musician in the entertainment industry.
With over a decade of experience, he has been part of numerous top-notch film and musical projects and is also a music label owner.
Zack Gh believes that successfully navigating both music and acting requires dedication and hard work.
“Doing both music and acting is not an easy venture. You must dedicate your time and be hardworking to become successful. I once managed a record label called BossNation, which brought up many artistes.
“I have acted and produced numerous award-winning movies, and I believe I am the most successful actor to venture into both acting and music,” he said.
As a former manager of the record label BossNation, he has nurtured many talented artists.
Besides his achievements in acting, he has also produced numerous award-winning movies, solidifying his position as a highly accomplished entertainer.
Recently, Zack Gh released the “Shine” Extended Play (EP), featuring a star-studded lineup of Ghana’s finest musicians such as Ras Kuuku, Fameye, Kweku Flick, Strongman, Rashid Metal, and Apya, among others.
He sees this project as an opportunity to showcase his versatility as an artist and is eager for his fans to stream and enjoy the good music.
“This music project is one of the biggest so far, and I’m glad to feature some of Ghana’s finest musicians.
With this EP, Zack Gh aims to further solidify his position as an unparalleled talent in the Ghanaian entertainment scene.
A veteran Nollywood actor, Jim Iyke, has revealed that his father expelled him from home because of his decision to become an actor.
He claimed that his father wanted him to continue his study after completing his first degree at the age of 18, but he ignored his father’s wishes.
Iyke, on the other hand, stated that his late mother supported his decision to enter the film profession, emphasizing that she provided him with the opportunity to realize himself.
The award-winning actor revealed this on the most recent episode of the Is This Seat Taken podcast, hosted by actress Chinasa Anukam.
He said, “I was a straight-A student. And the course was already, I mean, you know the Igbo parent, they decide your life before you are born and probably after you die if they outlive you.
“I was about 18 and a half when I finished my first degree. The idea was, ‘Get your MBA.’ That was the whole plan. My dad’s boss is American, so he already had a setup. And I came home one day and said, I think I really want to be an actor.
“Now, my dad’s fair argument then was that I’m excruciatingly shy. Now, how come you come out? A well-known introvert comes out to say, You want to be an actor? But I think there was something—you know, call it female intuition or whatever. She [my mum] just believed, even before I did. I just saw a glimpse of something that made me believe this is what I wanted to do, but it wasn’t hard-formed. There was no core to it. There was no master plan. There was no road map. It was just a simple conviction. But she believed before I did. And I think that is what makes mothers as unique as they are.
“She started supporting. It became unbearable to stay at home. So much so that one day, my dad woke up and said, ‘Listen, there can’t be two captains on this ship. You either go get this master’s going as quickly as possible. Take one year, go do whatever nonsense you want to do, come back, and then we set the course again. Or you leave my house.’ So I left.
“What she [my mum] instilled in me all through that time of staying with her, learning from her, directing me, guiding me—I think that’s what pretty much shaped the man I became, how I pursued my goals, and what I eventually became today.”
Veteran actress, Akofa Edjeani has highlighted the significant impact of film in decolonizing the African mentality.
According to her, film possesses the power to effectively challenge the persistent influences of slavery and colonialism.
“…and again, if the colonial masters used film as part of their weapons in colonizing us, I think that the honor is on us to do the same, by using film to decolonize ourselves, the mental slavery is still there… we are not independent, we are still begging for things and so many things.”
During an interview with the media on July 1, 2023, Akofa Edjeani emphasized the historical use of film by colonial powers to maintain control over their colonies.
She called upon African governments to prioritize and support their local film industries in response.
Edjeani expressed her belief that film has the power to bring about significant positive change and create numerous opportunities if it receives the necessary attention and investment.
She questioned the disparity in financial support between sports and the film industry, highlighting the potential for job creation and revenue generation in the latter.
According to Edjeani, the film industry possesses immense potential and could surpass the benefits derived from sports.
“Look at how much money we pump into sports and most times we go and, we don’t really win, …so if we can pump all that money into sports, the bonuses that they get…but the film can even do better so they should pay equal attention to film as well.
“Sports yes, but how many jobs can it create and how much money is it bringing compared to if you give the necessary push to film, so, there are so many reasons.
“The job creation and the fact that it is education as well. You know it is that medium that you can use to showcase your heritage… film is that powerful tool to create that identity, we use film to change policies, we use film to change perceptions.
“Film is a tool that can attract tourists, so when you are talking about tourism, the best tool is to showcase your tourist attraction, and your heritage in film, and that will make people flood to your country just to see those places,” she added.
Ghanaian actress and global brand ambassador, Juliet Ibrahim, made a lasting impact as a panelist during the 2023 Essence Film Festival.
This festival is a significant component of the broader Essence Festival of Culture, which has been commemorating African American culture in the United States for the past thirty years.
With a staggering daily attendance, the event claims the title for the largest festival in the U.S., attracting approximately 500,000 participants over its three-day duration.
Juliet’s participation on the highly anticipated panel, “Clips & Conversations: Ghana’s Road to Global Expansion,” held tremendous significance for both the Ghanaian film industry and the diaspora at large.
Juliet Ibrahim leaves an indelible mark at the Essence Film Festival, featuring the inaugural Africa House.
Esteemed actors, directors, and producers from Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, and Kenya unite to advance collaborative efforts for global expansion.
The expertly moderated panel, including Juliet Ibrahim, highlights their experiences and insights in producing remarkable projects, propelling the industry to greater global heights. Juliet’s presence adds inspiration and prestige, representing Ghana’s film industry as a global brand ambassador.
Her commitment to diversity, storytelling, and promoting Ghana’s cultural heritage solidifies her place among elite talents.
As a participant in the Essence Festival of Culture, Juliet aims to showcase Ghana’s talent and establish it as a film hub.
A reality star and actor, Tayo Faniran has outlined specific conditions under which he would consider accepting an acting role.
During a recent interview on Hip TV, the Big Brother Africa runner-up expressed his interest in particular roles depicted in movie scripts.
Faniran emphasized that the nature of his character in a film is the crucial factor he considers.
He said, “First thing I look out for when I’m giving a script is my positioning in the story. I think I’m a leading man.
“I have all it takes to be a lead actor. And apart from that, I just love to be the best in what I do. I’m looking for a character that is going to showcase my potential. And in most cases, it’s always the lead character or the supporting lead character.
“The second thing I look out for is that I don’t want to be stereotyped. I don’t like maybe every script that comes, play boy or lover boy, or bad guy or something like that. I like to look for diversity; something that will give me the leverage to show my flexibility.
“And then I look out for the people producing the film as well. The class of the film. Is it going to go out? Are people going to see it? Is it going to add something to my career? Then I consider the money. Is the money worth my time? I’m a businessman, I’ve other things to do. So, I just weigh it down. Even if it’s not about the money, it should be worth my time.”
Tayo Faniran, known for his appearance in Amazon Prime Video’s African original series ‘Gangs Of Lagos,’ made a remarkable debut in the blockbuster.
Released in April, Faniran portrayed the character of Ninalowo, also known as Nino, a notorious yet compassionate gang leader in Isale Eko.
Oboy Siki has been criticized for implying that Agya Koo was successful in building his most-discussed mansion by veteran Kumawood actor, Akrobeto.
Recall that somewhere last week, Oboy Siki alleged in the course of an exclusive interview with the media that Agya Koo received a huge sum of money from the ruling NPP after endorsing Nana Addo’s candidature in both 2016 and 2020 and that was what he used to complete his mansion.
According to Oboy Siki, no actor can afford to build such an opulent house solely with earnings from acting.
“Agya was sidelined in the movie industry, so things weren’t going well for him, so in 2016, he went to do an endorsement for NPP, and that is where he got enough money. So, I want to explain to Ghanaians that, for us, the movie actors, if we can build, our money cannot build a proper house,”.
“So, all those who have built in Accra with these big mansions are not funds from the movie industry, so if anybody says so, that is a very big lie. The NPP money helped Agya to fund his building …with my knowledge and the things I know, that money was used for the building,”
Reacting to these claims from Oboy Siki, Akrobeto has dismissed the assertion that no movie actor or actress can build an ultra-modern mansion.
In an interview, Akrobeto revealed that he himself owns two heavy mansions and was able to build them from the revenue he generates from his actingcareer.
Disappointed Akrobeto angrily remarked that if Oboy Siki wasn’t able to acquire any expensive and worthy property in his name during his peak, other actors and actresses won’t be unfortunate like him.
Ghanaian actor and producer Kwadwo Nkansah, also known asLil Win, has opened out about the difficulties that the entertainment industry face regarding finding suitable sites for their productions.
Speaking in an interview with Zion Felix, Lil Win detailed how an airline denied his production team the use of an airplane for a movie shoot, even after agreeing to pay a fee of $5,000.
“Let’s say you need the airport for a project. You will send letters and everything, but you will never be granted access. And when you are denied access and you compromise to shoot the movie, you will bitterly be criticized for not using the airport scene as it needed to be.”
“The reason why we were unable to feature the airport is that we even wanted to use an actual plane in the movie, and we were willing to pay. A fee of $3,000 was quoted for Kumasi and $5,000 for Accra. We were willing to pay, but the airline refused,” he shared.
According to the award-winning actor, movie producers are unfairly criticized for producing mediocre content, while they are compelled to improvise.
“I don’t understand it when the movie comes out and they criticize us that it is not nice. If we were given access to the plane, we would have landed it nicely in the movie. But we don’t get it; you want a police station for a shoot, you won’t be given; military uniform, you will not get it; you request access to a hospital for a shoot, and you are equally denied. Meanwhile, the story requires that you feature the hospital, airport, or police station to complete the story,” he bemoaned.
He added that the situation in Nigeria is not the same, as the country boasts a more supportive and enabling industry. More sadly, he emphasized that producers in Ghana are denied access even when they are willing to pay.
Players in the entertainment industry, mostlyYouTubers, have been voicing their struggles in the industry following an altercation between popular skit maker Dr. Likee and security officers at the Achimota Mall.
The popular comedy skit maker was prevented from shooting a video at the mall on the grounds of not obtaining appropriate permission.
Several players in the industry, including Ghana’s biggest YouTuber, Wode Maya, have condemned the incident captured in a viral video.
“Is there any other continent apart from Africa that you need to ask for permission to shoot a video around a shopping mall, train station, airport, and so-called public areas? When I was based in China, I literally filmed everywhere, and sometimes you even get paid to film in such areas… This village mentality needs to stop in 2023!” he stated in a tweet.
“It’s about time content creators in Africa unite and speak against harassment while filming in public areas… The new digital media is here, and you all should get used to it,” he said in a subsequent post.
Entertainment critic, Bullgod, has asked media personality, Abeiku Santana to apologise over his sentimental utterances to Pizzaman.
The latter had in a video lashed out at Pizzaman for having jailed an alleged chicken thief
Pizzaman had got some staff arrested and convicted for 5 years for stealing chicken and food
Speaking to the above development, Abeiku Santana condemns Pizzaman for dishing out such harsh punishment to the culprit, adding that the act by Pizzaman was extreme.
In an interview, Bullhaus entertainment boss Bullgod is displeased with the ace broadcaster’s comment hence calling him out to render an apology to Pizzaman
“My comment on the Pizzaman saga was my thought, and I think the judgment meted out to the culprit was quite extreme, however, I don’t condone any criminal act.
I think the punishment is too harsh, looking at the cost gov’t will incur just for convicting such menial offenses, my comment was harmless and not to condemn Pizzaman but to draw attention to such extreme punishments meted out to menial offenses that congest our prisons but rather use these culprits of little crimes for communal activities”.
“I will not apologize to Pizzaman today, not tomorrow, and not forever”, he added.
Actress Tracey Boakye’s husband,Frank Badu Ntiamoahhas given the actress flowers for being the best wife and mother to her.
On the occasion of Mother’s Day on Sunday, May 14, Frank published a video in honour of Tracey where he confessed his love to her.
Typical of the couple, gift items including a bouquet of pink flowers were put on display.
Tracey who was captured in the embrace of her husband had broad smiles on her face.
Frank’s message to the actress and mother of three read: “From the kids @kwaku_danso_yahaya @nana_akua_nhyira_ @l_akwasi_badu_ntiamoah and myself, we wish u a HAPPY MOTHERS DAY. Thanks for being the best and wonderful mom, we love you @tracey_boakye.”
A host of Ghanaiancelebritieshave marked his year’s celebration with special messages to their wives, mothers and lovers.
Ghanaian singer,Francine Koffie, better known as Fantana, has said that she became interested in reality programs and movies after appearing on the popular reality show Young, Famous, and African for the first time.
Speaking to the media, Fantana shared her experience filming for the show and her future aspirations.
“I was in South Africa for four months filming for the show. They just really loved me,” she said. “After doing that and being on cameras and TV a lot, I feel comfortable and kind of considering doing more movies or probably TV shows as well.”
Fantana also shared how she landed a role on the show. “I developed interest after I watched the first season myself and later sent a casting tape of myself to Peace Hyde, one of the producers on the show. They liked it and I ended up doing a serious one and then I ended up on the show,” she said.
The young Ghanaian musician believes the experience on Young, Famous and Africanhas opened up new possibilities for her in the entertainment industry as she is eager to explore them further.Fantana is however set to release her debut project dubbed, “Pills and Concoctions” in July.
A fashion designer and actor,Amma Serwaa, has criticized Ghanaians particularly celebrities for failing to know more about the phrase ‘red carpet’ and what it requiries.
Per her observation at the just-ended VGMA, Ghanaians especially do not understand what it means to be on the red carpet, hence their choice of clothes are always wrong.
She explained the term red carpet as a welcoming color for the ancient Greek gods.
In an interview with Mercy Bee the Ekumfi Princess, Ghana’s ‘Girl Vibes’ show, she said: “As time went by, painters started using red carpet in their paintings because they felt it signified royalty. So, the term red carpet is used to explain elegance and royalty hence, anyone who walks on any red carpet needs to look elegant and like royalty”.
She believes that anyone on any red carpetshould look his or her best, and it should be evident from their head to their feet.
“You need to understand the red carpet when dressing, and also have to take into consideration the details of the dress you’re wearing because it is also very important,” she said.
Following the failure of last-minute wage negotiations with major studios, thousands of Hollywood screenwriters for television and movie will strike on Tuesday.
A Writers Guild of America (WGA) strike, the first in 15 years, will see more than 9,000 writers – 98% of voting members – walk out from midnight.
It is expected to affect Tuesday’s late-night shows, while forthcoming shows and films could face delays.
Picketing will begin on Tuesday afternoon, the Guild also said.
In 2007, writers went on strike for 100 days, at a cost of around $2bn to the industry.
This time around, writers are clashing with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) – which represents the major studios, including Disney and Netflix – in demand of higher pay and a greater share of the profits from the modern streaming boom.
On Monday evening, the WGA said the decision was made after six weeks of negotiations produced a “wholly insufficient” response to “the existential crisis writers are facing”.
Key issues in the talks have been how writers get paid for shows which often remain on streaming platforms for years, as well as the future impact of artificial intelligence on writing.
‘Sticking points’
The WGA criticised studios for creating a “gig economy” that aims to turn writing into an “entirely freelance” profession. “For the sake of our present and our future, we have been given no other choice,’ the guild stated in a lengthy document.
It called for a TV staffing minimum, ranging from six to 12 writers per show, as well as a guaranteed minimum number of weeks of employment per season.
In their own statement on Tuesday, the AMPTP called those the two “primary sticking points”.
For their part, the collective studios previously said they must cut costs due to financial pressures, while noting how the overall “residuals” payments to writers hit an all-time high of $494m (£395m) in 2021.
They noted on Monday they had been been willing to increase compensation and streaming residuals but for “the magnitude of other proposals still on the table that the Guild continues to insist upon.”
The AMPTP also rejected a guild demand that the use of AI bots be banned from writing or rewriting material, instead offering to hold “annual meetings to discuss advancements in technology”.
Jimmy Fallon on the Tonight ShowImage source, Getty Images Image caption
Late night TV might be the first to go
On Sunday evening, the Deadline Hollywood outlet reported that production on late-night shows including The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Kimmel Live! and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (pictured above) will all come to a halt.
Arriving at Monday night’s Met Gala, Fallon said he hoped the strike would not go ahead, but at the same time wanted to see “a fair deal” agreed for writers. “I need my writers real bad, I got no show without my writers”.
Late Night host Seth Meyers expressed his support for the strike on the corrections segment of his show on Friday.
“I also feel very strongly that what the writers are asking for is not unreasonable,” Meyers said. “As a proud member of the Guild, I’m very grateful that there is an organisation that looks out for the best interests of writers.”
Alex O’Keefe, writer on the comedy-drama series The Bear and a member of that union, told the BBC on Monday that half of all writers were paid the minimum by studios.
He said the creative output of his writing colleagues was better than ever, matching the demands of the streaming age, but writers are paid less than ever.
“And writers like me, especially young, black writers, indigenous writers, writers of colour have brought a whole new wave of creativity to the process.
“But we are finding ourselves unable to survive in places like New York City and Los Angeles, where we need to be to be in writers’ rooms.”
‘Underclass in Hollywood’
O’Keefe went on to stress that while there are some writers who are “doing very well”, many writers, including some showrunners on big shows, were not.
“I wouldn’t classify all writers as being poor or broke, but I can say myself I have $6 in my bank account,” he said.
He said that when he and his colleagues won best comedy series at the Writers Guild of America Awards, he went to the ceremony in a suit bought for him by his friends and family.
“The bowtie was bought on credit, I didn’t have any money, I had a negative bank account,” he explained.
Stars of the TV series The Bear, including Jeremy Allen White (front row, second left)Image source, Getty Images Image caption
Stars of the TV series The Bear, including Jeremy Allen White (front row, second left)
When he worked on The Bear, he did so from his “tiny” Brooklyn apartment.
“My heat was out, I had a space heater, I plugged in the space heater, [and] sometimes all the lights would go out. I’d end up in the public library, writing this show that has now become a huge hit and made lots of money for some people… a couple of people.
“But not for the people who were the creators, who really poured their hearts and their souls into the characters and into the stories and the moments that you remember.
“So there is a huge underclass right now in Hollywood.”
The actors’ union SAG-AFTRA and the directors’ union DGA have voiced solidarity with striking writers.
ActressNadia Buarihas for the first time shared pictures of herself and husband.
The 40-year-old beauty has been married for a couple of years but no one seems to know who her husband really is, because she’s known to be quite secretive when it comes to her family and dating life.
The “Beyonce: The President’s Daughter” actress has four kids: twins born in 2015, the third born in 2017, and the last born in 2018.
Nadia Buari’s children often feature on her social media channels but their faces are usually hidden from her fans.
Finally, it looks like the actress is now ready to open the doors of her home for her inquisitive fans to have a sneak peek of her private life.
Nadia took to Instagram to share 3 slides ofphotos of her supposed husband goofing in a lovey-dovey way.
“God never said that the journey would be easy, but He did say that the arrival would be worthwhile. Morning buttercakes!,” the caption of the post read.
It’s immediately not clear the occasion which called for this big husband reveal but it appears to be a special day for the couple.
The actor of the Apple TV+ feel-good comedy series, Jason Sudeikis, has explained why his TwitterDMs are open in a new interview with CNN’s Jake Tapper.
“You try to spend as much time and be as present with people,” Sudeikis said of the show’s loyal viewers. “I read everybody’s messages.”
He added that because of the themes of the show, the cast has been met “with such kindness and grace” from viewers. Sudeikis said that he keeps his DMs open because the stories that people share with him are “incredibly moving.”
“People share their stories or explain where they’ve held the ‘Believe’ poster, where they have it. Like, in a parent’s hospital room or in classrooms or where-have-you,” he said.
Optimism, mental health and simply just being kind to one another are just a few of the themes that “Ted Lasso” has tackled. And perhaps the biggest overarching theme, illustrated by a bright yellow poster that hangs in AFC Richmond’s lively locker room, is to just “Believe” that anything is possible.
Sudeikis’s inbox is likely full of an unimaginable amount of messages, but he says that he puts forth a real effort to read what he can.
“I want ‘em to know that, sincerely, that they’re seen, they’re heard, they’re read,” he said, going on to add that the sentiments from viewers that he and those involved in the show read aren’t something they “take lightly or take for granted.”
“Ted Lasso” is set in the UK and follows an American football coach who jumps the pond to coach AFC Richmond, the struggling English Premier League soccer team. The series’ third season, which could be its last, began streaming in March and is chock full of feel-good moments, moving subplots and, of course, biscuits.
The critically acclaimed show became an instant classic when it premiered in 2020 and has since won 11 Emmy Awards, including consecutive best comedy series wins in 2021 and 2022.
James Corden‘s tenure as host of “The Late Late Show” is coming to an end after eight years and numerous Emmy nominations.
The English presenter and actor announced his departure from the show, which was home to popular segments such as “Carpool Karaoke,” last April. He later revealed that his desire to spend more time with his family prompted the move.
“It was going to be a journey, an adventure. I never saw it as my final destination,” Corden said at the time.
On Thursday night, the 44-year-old comic got emotional as he prepared to vacate the seat that made him a household name. The prime-time special featured A-list guests Harry Styles, Adele and Will Ferrell and a surprise video message from President Joe Biden, and Corden’s parents were in the audience.
While his decision to leave the show during a successful run on US late-night television had surprised many, Corden revealed that “one positive” of leaving the show is that he “may finally get a good night’s sleep.”
In his emotional farewell speech, the father-of-three also touched on his journey as the show’s host.
“We started this show with Obama, then Trump, then a global pandemic,” he said.
“I’ve watched America change a lot. Over these past few years, I’ve watched divisions grow and I’ve seen and I’ve felt a sense of negativity bubble and at points boil over,” he added.
Corden implored his audience to “remember what America signifies to the rest of the world. My entire life it has always been a place of optimism and joy. And yes, it has flaws, so many, but show me a country that doesn’t. Show me a person that doesn’t.”
Corden continued: “We are all more the same than we are different. There are so many people who are trying to stoke those differences and we have to try as best we can to look for the light, look for the joy. If you do, it’s out there. That’s all this show has ever been about.”
He described his move to Americaas “a huge leap,” and thanked CBS for taking a “life-changing” chance on him.
Corden ended his final appearance by performing a piano ballad, as a video montage of his finest moments on the show played.
“Part of me thinks why not stay here forever, but deep in my heart I just know,” he sang. “No more shows to be showing, it’s time I was going. It’s time. Thanks for watching, that’s our show.”
Kenya’s 882 miles of coastline along the Indian Ocean are frequently disregarded in favor of the country’s vast natural reserves, which are famous for being home to all “Big Five” mammals. It’s a place where people go to “chill out,” but not to observe and connect with the wild and unique ecosystem, says Kenyan filmmaker, photographer and conservationist Jahawi Bertolli.
Bertolli is determined to change this outlook and believes that visual storytelling is one way to do it. “No one was telling stories about the ocean here (in Kenya),” he says.
So far, his work has focused mainly on the Lamu Archipelago along Kenya’s northern coast, where his wife Elke Bertolli, also a photographer and filmmaker, grew up. Lamu is a hidden gem, he says, and filming has led to new discoveries. “There’s not much scientific work that’s happened up here so a lot of what we’re finding is new,” he adds. “We’re finding these incredible reefs. We’re finding incredible biodiversity.”
But this rich biodiversity is increasingly under threat. Bertolli says that harmful fishing practices, such as drag netting, coupled with habitat degradation due, in part, to coastal development, pollution and an increasing human population have caused a reduction in fish populations.
Not only is this bad for the ecosystem, but for local fishers too. Lamu is home to one of the oldest Swahili settlements in East Africa, a community who have depended on the ocean since the 12th century. Traditionally these fishers respected the balance with nature, says Bertolli. They stopped fishing when they had enough for what was needed, they only fished in certain seasons, and they left the coral reef alone, understanding it to be a home for fish, where they needed space and time to reproduce and grow. “There’s a lot of cultural knowledge, which is actually conservation knowledge. It’s just packaged differently,” Bertolli explains.
In 2020, Bertolli made a short film about Lamu’s sea life and the conservation traditions of the local fishers. He called it “Bahari Yetu” – “Our Ocean” in Swahili – and began showing it the local community. The screenings were a gamechanger, he says: “When you bring back that imagery, all of a sudden people are like, ‘Oh my God. Wow, this is ours … this is our heritage, these are our reefs, this is what’s happening underwater in our ocean.’”
A viewing of “Bahari Yetu” was also put on for local beach management units and members from the county government and fisheries department. Bertolli also screened another film he had made a few years earlier on locally managed marine areas in Africa. The next time the group met, all members voted unanimously to begin setting up a marine protected area around Lamu’s Kinyika island, a craggy rock that acts as a nursing ground for seafaring birds and hosts a bustling coral reef system.
For Bertolli and the people of the Lamu Archipelago, this has been a significant first step to ensuring the preservation of an essential ecosystem. While it’s only the beginning and a management plan still needs to be established, Bertolli believes it has also been a testament to the power of visual storytelling. “Because it was their film, told in their language, filmed here – it became an incredibly powerful tool to inspire the community to come together to try and start actually conserving these areas,” he says.
Filmmaker Kunle Afolayan has announced that his movie “Anikulapo” will be expanded into a series.
During a recent forum, Afolayan explained that “Anikulapo” was initially conceived as a series and shared the story of how it came to feature on Netflix.
“We tested the waters with “Anikulapo” as a film, and it became a success. Then, the conversation started for a week to get it to the original proposition, which is the series. Currently, I am not giving details, but it is happening this year. We will do the first season of the series,” Afolayan told local media.
Afolayan also spoke about his fascination with exploring African mysteries in some of his movies.
“The story was informed by my interest in exploring the idea of Orisha and finding a way to merge it with entertainment and visual arts without pitching a particular religion,” he said.
He added that he aims to create masterpieces that capture the essence of Yoruba culture and the world beyond Nigeria.
The Mayor of Accra, Elizabeth Kwatsoe Tawiah Sackey has appealed to stakeholders in the movie industry to consciously mentor the young and upcoming talents for a sustainable movie industry.
According to her, to create a generation of great actors who can sustain themselves in the industry, stakeholders must mentor upcoming talents.
The Mayor said this on Saturday, at the opening of the Spanish Film Festival held at the Omanye Aba Hall at the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA).
The Spanish Film Festival which is being organized by the Embassy of Spain in Ghana in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture sought to revive the creative art industry, particularly the movie sector, and forge a mutually rewarding relationship between Ghana and Spain.
“I am so pleased that all of you have contributed to maintaining the film industry, and I believe that much more can be done… To assist us to create a generation of great actors who can sustain themselves in the industry, I implore you to continue to help perfect their craft and manage the affairs of the young stars coming up,” she said.
She expressed joy at efforts by key players in the filmmaking industry to improve the sector and stressed the need to leverage the existing relationship between Spain and Ghana to address through movies, issues of violent crime, climate change, youth unemployment, and irregular migration.
“I am also excited that the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture and other relevant stakeholders who mattered in the value of the creative arts chain have all gathered here this evening to forge a closer alliance for the mutual development of our film industries, ”
She used the opportunity to call for collaboration between the two countries to project their cultural values whilst expressing the AMA’s readiness to work with the Spanish embassy to address developmental issues in the city of Accra.
Some personalities who graced the festival include the Deputy Minister for Tourism, Arts, and Culture, as well as players in the Ghanaian movie industry among others.
The festival began on November 19 in Accra with the showing of a film titled Las Niñas (The Schoolgirls) and will travel to Kumasi and Tamale before coming to an end on Thursday, December 8.
Other films which will be screened include Yuli which shows tomorrow, November 25, at the Centre for National Culture(CNC), Kumasi at 6 pm, and on December 2, Alliance Francaise, Kumasi, will treat patrons to Un Novio Para Yasmina(A Boyfriend for Yasmina) at 5 pm.
Veteran actor, Fred Amugi, has said it is his utmost wish to be captured on a billboard as a brand ambassador before he dies.
This is the only wish of the veteran actor who turned 74 years on November 11, 2022.
According to Fred Amugi, it is his desire that this particular wish would be granted while he is still alive.
“One wish I’d want to have for my 74th birthday is to see myself on a billboard as a brand ambassador. I wouldn’t want to die before I am mounted on a billboard, where I wouldn’t see what is being done for me. I’m prepared to be a brand ambassador for your products. Use me whiles I’m alive and not when I’m dead and gone,” he appealed to brands in a viral video.
Over the period, some veteran actors have channeled all sorts of appeals, predominantly financial, to the general public.
This has become the case because most of these veteran actors have struggled with all sorts of life crises associated with their old ages.
While many have changed career paths due to the influx of new-school actors, the few veterans left in the movie industry have always maintained that they do not get as much opportunities as the young ones.
Ghanaian comic actor, Kofi Adu, popularly known as Agya Koo, has stirred reactions online after he was spotted driving an expensive Infinity vehicle.
In a hilarious video, Agya Koo was approached by a young man as he was headed for his vehicle.
The actor looked stylish and was well-dressed in a beautiful white long-sleeve shirt, a round hat and a pair of fashionable designer shoes.
The young man asked Agya where he was headed, and he hilariously replied that he was attending a TikTok meeting.
He sarcastically told the young man free cars would be shared at the meeting, so he should come along with him. Agya Koo quickly hopped in the car and sped off after.
The white Infinity looked luxurious and showed that the actor was wealthy. Agya Koo has been actively involved in the movie industry for over a decade and seems to have made a good fortune since rising to stardom. Fans of the actor found the video hilarious and dropped funny comments.
Agya Koo Gets Peeps Laughing
tettehgideon116 reacted to the funny video:
Free car like seriously I can’t stop laughing.
Bra Dan commented:
agya i like your style
Otoobea also said:
Once a legend, always a legend
Uncle Fred also commented:
Agya atwa seven
Maytvgh1 also reacted:
We miss you kofi
Agya Koo: 5 Times the Kumawood Actor Turned a Funeral Party into Highlife Concerts
In other news, popular Kumawood actor Agya Koo has proven to be a force to reckon with not only in the movie and comedy industry.
The legendary Ghanaian actor is also known for his show-stopping music performances with his Tete Mmofra Band.
The next James Bond should be willing to commit at least a decade of their life to the role, according to one of the franchise’s producers.
“The thing is, it’s going to be a couple of years off,” producer Barbara Broccoli recently told Variety of the next movie. “And when we cast Bond, it’s a 10-, 12-year commitment … Not everybody wants to do that. It was hard enough getting [Daniel Craig to do it].”
Craig retired from the role after 15 years with last year’s “No Time to Die,” his fifth movie as Bond. It was one of the few pandemic-era hits at the box office, grossing $774 million worldwide.
“A lot of people think, ‘Oh yeah, it’d be fun to do one,’” Broccoli said. “Well. That ain’t gonna work.”
“It’s a big commitment,” she added, “It’s not just showing up for a couple of months of filming.”
Broccoli and her fellow Bond producer Michael G. Wilson have been mum on who will follow in Craig’s footsteps. But they hinted that the evolution of the franchise during the Craig era will continue, such as developing his character beyond being a womanizing spy.
“Bond is evolving just as men are evolving,” Broccoli said. “I don’t know who’s evolving at a faster pace.”
Broccoli previously ruled out a female Bond, but is open to a non-white actor in the role.
“I think it will be a man because I don’t think a woman should play James Bond,” she told The Hollywood Reporter last year. “I believe in making characters for women and not just having women play men’s roles. I don’t think there are enough great roles for women, and it’s very important to me that we make movies for women about women. He should be British, so British can be any [ethnicity or race].”
The movie Apocalypto, was very famous in its early stage of release.. It’s about a young man, jaguar Paw who was captured together with his fellow kinsmen by another invading clan. They were brought to a Mayan city for human sacrifice and only Jaguar Paw escaped execution.
The movie grossed over one hundred and twenty million dollars ($120M) worldwide and received Review mostly positive.
Jaguar Paw, whose real name is Rudy YoungBlood was born in a small town in Texas, he grew up with his younger sisters. Their dad was not around so they were brought up by their mother.
He also learned skills like brick laying, carpentry, brick laying and others. He was offered scholarships in art and also track and field but he instead choose native dance.
Veteran Bollywood actor Rishi Kapoor, famed for his romantic roles, has died of cancer aged 67.
He was part of the Kapoor acting dynasty which has long dominated Bollywood, the Hindi film industry.
The actor made a huge splash in 1973 with his first lead role in Bobby – a teenage love story.
He played the romantic lead in dozens of films for over two decades, after which he made a successful transition to character roles.
Rishi Kapoor debuted as a child actor in 1970 in his father Raj Kapoor’s film, Mera Naam Joker.
Several of his films in the 1980s and 90s – Khel Khel Mein, Karz and Chandni – became massive box-office hits.
He had a second coming in this decade, doing character roles and interesting cameos in small films.
The actor’s death comes a day after the passing away of Bollywood actor Irrfan Khan.
Kapoor was diagnosed with cancer in 2018 and returned to India last September after a year-long treatment in New York.
He was taken to hospital on Wednesday morning after he complained of breathing difficulties, his brother Randhir Kapoor told Press Trust of India.
Tributes have been pouring in for Kapoor from his fellow Bollywood actors and politicians.
Amitabh Bachchan who worked in several hit films with Kapoor tweeted: “He’s GONE .. ! Rishi Kapoor .. gone .. just passed away .. I am destroyed !”
Congress party leader Rahul Gandhi also tweeted about his death: “This is a terrible week for Indian cinema, with the passing of another legend, actor Rishi Kapoor. A wonderful actor, with a huge fan following across generations, he will be greatly missed.”
Kapoor himself, was also prolific on Twitter, frequently commenting on controversial issues and sometimes getting into heated exchanges with people on the social media platform.
His last tweet was an appeal to people not to attack medical staff at the frontlines of the fight against the coronavirus saying, “we have to win this war together”.
Kumawood Producer and actor, Mr. Kwaku Twumasi has made a startling revelation above how he was treated by leadership of Actors Guild when he took ill.
Narrating his ordeal to Ike De Unpredictable on Angel FM, he said leadership of Ghana Actors Guild (GAG) supported him with GHC200 and Tecno Phone when he was down with stroke.
“I received support from a lot of people. Leadership of Ghana Actors Guild (GAG) came to visit me and they gave me GHC200 and Phone†Mr Twumasi narrates.
“Seriously they did very well because because not all industry players will get GHC200 and Phone from the Association. I was even lucky to have such kind gesture from the leadershipâ€.
According to Mr. Twumasi, he is trying very hard to convince the leadership of the industry to setup a fund to support members in the industry in hard times.
“We should make good use of the industry. The Association can set up a welfare fund to assist members in crisis†he said.
The actor and director who was bedridden for over four years has been absent from the movie scene due to illness .
Actors Guild is an Association which embodies actors and actresses in the country.
“Machete Kills” star Danny Trejo has made history by dying the most times in films.
The actor, a former convict, has starred in 398 film and television projects – and died in 65 of them, beating out Christopher Lee, who previously held the title, with 60.
Buzz Bingo conducted the calculations using Cinemorgue and IMDb, noting Lance Henriksen is third on the death list with 51, followed by Tom Sizemore and Eric Roberts.
Shelley Winters leads the record for actresses who have passed away onscreen with a total of 20, while Julianne Moore lands in second place with 17.
Veteran actor Seth Kwabena Kyere Karikari popularly known as Koo Fori has disclosed that eventhough he acts in movies as a drunkard, he has never taken Alcohol in his life.
When asked in an interview on Hitz FM whether he drinks Alcohol, Koo Fori said,
“I have never drunk alcohol before, Never in my life. Immediately I get into the act of a drunkard, I begin to sweat and I do not know where it comes from. Psychologically, it has taken effect on meâ€.
Koo Fori continued,
†My mother cried bitterly the first day she saw me on TV, playing the role of a drunkard. I explained to her but it took her a very long time for her to understand. “
