Ghanaian filmmaker, Leila Djansi adds her voice to the discussion about the movie industry. According to her, she agrees with the words of Gabby Otchere Darko. She took to Facebook to justify her stance and defend Gabby.<\/p>\n
My dear filmmakers in Ghana. Leave this politician guy alone! What he said about the industry is the truth. I don\u2019t see why there\u2019s so much deflection and insult for him. He pretty much said Ghanaian films have no soul and he is RIGHT. Watching Ghanaian films is like talking to a lover who has dark glasses over his eyes. No connection. The first arguments you all made was that there is no government support. Which government supported any film industry?<\/p>\n
Industries that have government support got it because of the impact they made on the countries economy. How much impact have Ghanaian films made on the economy? How honest are the players? There is so much rancor and treachery within the ranks. Nothing government can do about that! Whenever you ask a middle-aged Ghanaian for his favorite Ghanaian film, they usually mention \u201cI told you So\u201d. So, I traced the film and watched it and I asked myself, really? Why? Because it\u2019s funny? YES. Because it\u2019s funny. Right, we can\u2019t be serious in any aspect, huh? Everything must be fun.<\/p>\n
Step back. Have comedies ever, ever been nominated for Oscars? Let\u2019s use the Oscars as a yardstick. Action films? No. Because these genres are not necessarily \u201creal\u201d. They don\u2019t tell of the HUMAN CONDITION. THE HUMAN HEART. THE HERO\u2019S JOURNEY. You fell in love with old Nollywood because of the CHARACTERS it created. The evil in-law, the blood money guy. It fed your superstition. You looked out for people like that in your day to day life.<\/p>\n
Grace Omaboe got her name, Maame Dokuno from a character she played. Kweku Ananse is famous because of his character. This is all Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko is trying to say. He watched 10 Ghanaian films and he had no reason to root for any person. His core wasn\u2019t stirred. Instead of being so defensive and making up arguments, how about you listen? My favorite films from Ghana are two. Kukurantuni, The road to Accra and Love Brewed In an African Pot.<\/p>\n
I didn\u2019t laugh, I didn\u2019t care for picture quality and I wasn\u2019t saying it to please the filmmakers. I like these films because I can\u2019t and have never forgotten the soul, decisions, and actions of the characters that led the story to where it went! Character driven plots. A man returns from work and discovers his daughter was raped. He picks up a machete and steps out of the house into the rain. \u2014Here is our hero. Now, let his actions and choices direct the course of the story HONESTLY. Don\u2019t write what you like. Write his actions and the effect of his actions, remembering that every character in your plot has free will and makes decisions too. Conflict. Who wins? Resolution.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s all Gabby is trying to say. The films need human conditions and characters we can root for. So, now that we\u2019ve settled that, name one Ghanaian film that exposed the human condition and had a character(s) you cannot forget? Finally, the media space also needs discipline. Bloggers and journalists. You need integrity and ethics. Don\u2019t receive payment from folks in order to write articles that favor them. Write the truth. Is it good? Say it. Is it bad? Say it. Don\u2019t be tied to anyone\u2019s apron strings because you took money from them to say what they want. It breeds complacency. Our beautiful actresses. Enough makeup. It is enough. Your eyebrow doesn\u2019t need to be on fleek all the time. Our actors, your choices as actors make or break a film.<\/p>\n
When you get a script, forget the clothes, forget the premiere, forget how the audience will clap for you and search for a connection to the character you\u2019re being asked to play. Research, practice, watch great actors. Many films have failed because viewers could not connect with the actors. Directors, including myself. Prepare. Find the soul of the story you\u2019re telling before you get on set. You, the actors and the camera need to tell a seamless story. Surround yourself with GOOD PEOPLE. Crew, we know it\u2019s a red camera. You don\u2019t have to abandon your job to take pictures beside it.<\/p>\n
If quiet on set is called, be quiet and give the actors and directors room to be inspired. Stop chit chatting on set! Do your work! Break down the script, be prepared for everything. Think outside the box. Let your department shine because your department is playing a key role in how the film comes out. The government, tax incentives? There\u2019s vat. Use it! You\u2019ll see a turn in the economy. We need to stop being so defensive and put our films on the litmus test! Remember, the story is KING! So, now that we\u2019ve settled that, name one Ghanaian film that exposed the human condition and had a character you cannot forget?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Ghanaian filmmaker, Leila Djansi adds her voice to the discussion about the movie industry. According to her, she agrees with the words of Gabby Otchere Darko. She took to Facebook to justify her stance and defend Gabby. Leila Djansi on Ghanaian filmmakers and Gabby Otchere Darko My dear filmmakers in Ghana. Leave this politician guy […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6037,"featured_media":54969,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-54968","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-entertainment"],"yoast_head":"\n