The Emerging Face of Ghanian Films

It’s no longer news that DSTV has upgraded the content and added new channels to cater for lovers of African cinema. What’s not news however is the quality of the films that are being curned out within the continent.

Over the weekend, I had the opportunity of watching the following films; Bursting Out (An Emem Isong Production) and A Sting of A Tale and Perfect Picture (A Shirley Frimpong Manso production).

I know most people are of the opinion that Gene is an outstanding actress but everytime i’ve watched her films, i’ve always gotten the impression that she’s emotionally detached from her roles. To me she always puts up a cold front and I’m yet to see the script or watch a film that will bring out the warmth in her cos she’s got a lots of fire but hasn’t got the right platform to showcase it. In ‘Ije’ I saw a little bit but I still want more from her. Maybe her role as ‘Ms Adebayo’ in Chimamanda’s ‘Half of A Yellow Sun’ will showcase her warmer depths.

For the movies, ‘Perfect Picture’ and ‘A Sting of A Tale’, they were outstanding films. The dialogue was witty and short and the actors also made perfect use of their body language and facial expressions to carry the audience along. So we didn’t have to really on comical relief that does not tie in with the film (which was what I saw on ‘Bursting Out’ which had a lot of corny dialogues and scenes the producer could have done without).  The scenery and sound production was of utmost quality and I felt I was watching a ‘Tunde Kelani’ or ‘Kunle Afolayan’ film. Shirley Frimpong has done exquisite work with these films. For anyone who’s yet to watch these two films, do make it a date to see them whenever you can.

Book of the Week – The Undomestic Goddess

Sophie Kinsella, author of the popular Shopaholic series featuring Becky Bloomwood, has introduced a new heroine in her novel The Undomestic Goddess. The “goddess” in question is Samantha Sweeting, a twenty-nine-year-old lawyer on the fast track to becoming partner at swanky law firm Carter Spink.

Although Sam loves her job and wants nothing more than to be a partner, she has no social life to speak of, is stressed out beyond belief, and her high-powered mother and brother can’t even make the time to join her for her latest birthday celebration. All of this seems worth it, though, when she finds out that she has achieved her biggest goal—she has become a partner at Carter Spink. Unfortunately, the joy is short-lived. Sam finds some papers buried on her desk that she apparently forgot to file—and that little mistake has cost one of their clients fifty million pounds.

In a panic, Sam rushes out of the office, takes a train, and ends up in a small suburb of London, lost and terrified. She ends up on the doorstep of Trish and Eddie Geiger, who mistake her for a housekeeper come to apply for a job. Wanting only a place to crash for the night and to get her head in order, Sam unwittingly takes the job. When she finds out that she no longer has a career at Carter Spink, she decides to stick it out at the Geigers for a while. The problem? She doesn’t know how to cook or clean. And though Trish and Eddie are easy to fool, the hot gardener isn’t so gullible.

The character of Samantha Sweeting is smart, gutsy and easy to root for. It’s easy to see why the gardener ends up falling for her, and their chemistry works beautifully throughout the book. Secondary characters also shine with life. Kinsella rarely makes the mistake of creating a character who falls into the ‘good guy/bad guy’ mold and most of the supporting cast are realistic and multi-dimensional.

You can download a copy of this book through this link: 4shared