I am a big fan of both Nigeria and Ghana Movies especially the former. Lately, I have sworn off Ghanaian and Nigerian movies and this is because I am tired of the same ol’ same ol’,. I’m certain a lot of you agree with me that, it’s time for a change in the movie industry. Aren’t we tired of seeing the same actresses and actors in Ghanaian and Nigerian movies?
When was the last time you saw a Ghanaian movie that didn’t have Nadia Buari,Van Vicker, Majid Michel, Jackie Appiah, Yvvonne Nelson or Agya Koo in it. A Nigerian movie that didn’t have Ramsey Noah, Mercy Johnson, Ini Edo, Jim Ikye Genevieve Nnaji or Rita Dominic. Are those the only actresses and actors we have in Ghana and Nigeria? It’s always the same faces, almost same storylines and movie titles that have nothing to do with the storyline.
What happened to those days when Ghanaian and Nigerian movies had storylines that were more realistic and not forced? I’m worried that these movie producers are shying away from the traditional story lines that were about witchcraft, money ritual and old traditions and moving towards modernized plots. There is nothing wrong with modernization and surely witchcraft and outdated customs have no place in today’s society, but movies these days are infused with, unrealistic storylines, bad wardrobe and actors and actresses who try so hard to be ”Americanized“/speaking with an American accent..Oh and the poor English that gets you thinking “Did he/she say that?“.
When GhanaCelebrities.Com interviewed actress Juliet Ibrahim sometimes back, she firmly stated that, most of the movies she has starred in so far, the producers never ever gave them time to rehearse their lines on set before they came in front of the camera. I am certain that most of the bad acting and poor English we hear and witness all the time in these movies are as a result of the above mentioned.
Lets not forget the lame and almost always similar titles; Love is blind, blinded by love, Daddy’s princess, Mummy’s daughter, Rice and Beans, I hate my village, Its not your fault, I hate you, I want to go to America, Journey to America, It wasn‘t me“. What are these movie producers thinking? And please someone tell these people to stop taking American movies and remaking it. What happened to innovation and uniqueness?
How many times are we going to watch an hour long movie and just when the movie is getting good, lo and behold there appears on your TV screen the dreaded line ” THIS IS ONLY THE BEGINNING,WATCH OUT FOR PART 2“!., When you get the “part 2“, it happens again: “Watch out for PART 3“,.
Many movies start out so well, but the plot is dragged and dragged. Producers are worried about getting you to spend your money on the” Part 2”,“Part 3”and so forth of a movie, than giving you your money‘s value. Did you hear of the Ghanaian movie called Kyeiwaa which had a part 13 or so. So we had Kyeiwaa Part 1, Part 2 up to 13.
In most of our movies, the story’s ending is always rushed through with many unexplained subplots, leaving you disappointed and confused in the end than when you started.Nigerian and Ghanaian music are moving forward and its time that happens in the movie industry too, until that happens, I’ll stick to my American movies.
Can´t believe there is actually a movie entitled gari and beans…lol Nkwasias3m b3n ni??…lol…Don´t mind seeing it though..lol
lol…and whats up with Agya Koo and his bluetooth??? As3m oooooo…lol..Massa yi tu hor kakra..aden??..hahaha
First of all I must commend you for your constructive criticism but there are some things u should know about the African cinema.
1. There is no need for anyone to compare Hollywood to both nollywood and gollywood because they are all patronized by people with different beliefs, cultures, heritage, lifestyles,preferences etc.
With storylines I think they are not doing that bad because I’ve watched a lot of Hollywood flicks such as matrix, startrek, twilight, mission impossible, meet the spartans,the terminator etc. and most of these stories are based on fiction(if not exaggerating). But if u should make movies out of these fictitious stories for the typical African audience, trust me it wont work unless maybe it is interwoven with bits of African elements. Because as far I’m concerned the African audience wants to watch their own stories told and acted by their own people which they can relate to. Besides Hollywood also have lots of recycled stories just that it is properly executed. Note: They work with bigger budgets and have all the necessary logistics to make a movie.
2.The same actors/actresses u see everytime is due to marketing purposes because the viewers sometimes buy these movies just because their favourite actor/actresses is included(remember the producers are in for their financial gains) something I think even happens in hollywood.
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In Hollywood one can also find ridiculous titles such as “W”,”V”, “Brown sugar”,”American pie”,”big” and a host of others. For movie titles, once it is catchy and fits the story I find no problem with that.
I think probably you’ve not yet come across any African movie that suits your taste because there are a lot of good ones out there which have different storylines from the same old ones you’ve watched. I won’t recommend any to you since it might not be your choice.That notwithstanding there are loads of terrible ones out there just like there are in Hollywood. I just think that the industry in Africa should set their own standards and not solely on what “Hollywood fans” expect from them(that’s why they have theirs too) . With your turn to Hollywood well that’s your choice just like some people prefer playing basketball,tennis,golf,rugby to football despite the fact that football is the most popular sport globally.
But please don’t get me wrong African movies have their major problems with bad sound and picture quality, bad editing, wrong direction, wrong execution of stories etc. My piece of advice to u and others is next time u try to watch an African movie do away with all the western mentality, ignore all their flaws but rather focus on the message the movie is trying to put across and you’ll enjoy them to the fullest. As for me and my friends I’ll always look out for the latest Ghanaian/Nigerian movie in town and not bother if there is a new Hollywood movie or not because if for nothing at all I’ll learn one or two lessons from these nollywood/gollywood flicks. Thank you.
Really?? What american movie has been remade in ghana???
Very true……….We need new faces inn ghanaian movies now !!!
Not only the same ole stories but the nudity in the movies have become unbearable to watch, I mean heart of men was a waste of my hard earned $5 and I have sworn off ghana movies for now, until they switch up e story lines and use talented new faces am going back to hollywood movies.
so true. we need fresh and talented faces noreover, an actual original story plot sure would be nice. i don’t mean something totallly authentic cause that’s impossible but at least make the movie have a realistic feel not just some meaningless string of motion promoted as a movie in other to earn some bucks.
Acolade to the writer of this sad yet very true report! You have hit it hard on the nail! @CHUCKYLEE this ain’t a desssertation or an essay, its meant for small comments!!
People like u love to scrutinise and analyse things right down to the last detail! U r on the wrong site mate!
chuchkylee. that’s a good arguement you are making but remember that these current ghanaian movies, at least the ones i have watched, either portray the same old lessons with almost the exact plot or is just some mumbo jumbo. i totally agree on not comparing african movies to hollywood movies but if the movies are aiming for internationaly audience they are gonna have to be compared.
no it’s not true that kyeiwaa the film has a part 13 ! yes now the movies in ghana getting on my nerv because it’s all about sex : Heart of Men ; Kiss me if u can…what is all this ? KWASIASEM !