The Ghanaian Film Scene

''If we don't support them who will?''

This is something I hear in defence of Ghana's film industry all the time. Are you freaking kidding me though? Why should I approve of tomfoolery? Is it just me or do the majority of Ghanaians have something against the idea of evolution?

Chale, it's hard oooooh.

THE PAST

The Ghanaian film industry (in fact, scene) doesn't seem to be improving at all. Ghanaian films made some headway in the 1960s but it really all started in the '70s. Films like 'I Told You So', 'Genesis Chapter X (1977)', Kwaw P. Ansah's 'Love Brewed in an African Pot' (1981), and King Ampaw's 'Juju' (1981) are good examples of CLASSIC Ghanaian films.

EDITING (OR THE LACK OF IT)

What do our recent film directors have against choping off unnecessary scenes? Do I have to follow them wherever they want to take me in the film? Aaaagh! Is it difficult to just show the audience the gist of the point they want to put across? Do I have to watch the whole car ride from destination to destination? Do I have to watch the whole fight? I am not stupid you know? I get the picture, meeeehn! It would be very nice if - for once - I could watch a Ghanaian film without being able to tell the ending before I even get half way through the film. Is it that most directors have a serious lack of imagination?

(SO-CALLED) ACTING

Honestly, it's so sad how Ghana doesn't have any good actors or actresses. Yo, like joke, like joke, the so-called good ones are the shittiest. When Majid Michel's name is brought up, he is classified as one of Ghana's good actors'. Are you fucking kidding me? Dude can't act to save his life! I don't know why he always seems like he is performing some stage drama to some 'nkonso' audience. I have tried on countless occasions to have conversations about this film scene thing with 'the man (or woman) on the street' and I always end up so frustrated when I'm done. Goodness gracious: they will argue their larynxes out about how wrong I am and how wonderful the actors are. Hmmmmmmm...

AWARDING MEDIOCRITY

Oooooooooooooooh, the African Movie Acadamy Awards. Ei, isn't it rather unfortunate that three actresses from Ghana had to share one award? Then after the 'ceremony' they come out making noise about who deserved that award. Shouldn't they be upset that their so-called work isn't even respected individually? On what basis was this 'award' given? Naa Ashorkor (like Majid) acts like she is on stage, Jackie Appiah has been overhyped so she keeps her rubbish acting up and Lydia Forson is good but she hasn't yet got any role that will give her the respect that she needs.

LOCAL ACTORS ARE BETTER

Come to think of it, in as much as Agya Koo and Kyeiwaa are 'bush', they both are good at what they do. They don't have proper scripts to read but instead are told what is expected of them and they are are able to do just that. Yeah, but still chale the 'nkonso' still dey you know?

The long and short of it is that Ghanaian actors and actresses need to improve their acting and WE need to stop accepting their crap!

SHIRLEY & FRANK

One would think that after directing a film that according to Ghanaian standards is 'JEH', Shirley Frimpong Manso would improve her films('The Perfect Picture'>'A Sting in A Tale'>'Check Mate'.) . But being like majority of Ghanaians, she seems content with her poppycock films because the everyday Ghanaian encourages her to keep making poor films. Mtcheeeeeeew...

Frank Rajah too why? Someone needs to tell him to stop making movies. He keeps directing films that do not make you think and makes Ghanaians look bad. Film making isn't by force, you know? There are other film makers who are guilty of the same thing this guy is doing but I can't be bothered looking for their names and typing them.

WHAT WE NEED!

We need some BAD ASS, NO NONSENSE CRITICS so that this crap gets destroyed and Ghana will finally be able to produce good and original films of an international standard.

WE seriously need to help each other grow.