‘Somewhere In Africa‘ is the latest African blockbuster movie which will receive a grand premiered on 30th July, 2011 at the National Theatre. The movie is directed by Frank Rajah Arase and features talented Actors like Majid Michel, David Dontoh, Martha Ankomah, Eddie Nartery, Roselyn Ngissah and others…
As we wait for the premiere of ‘Somewhere In Africa’ in Ghana and other parts of the world, various individuals especially GhanaCelebrities.Com readers on seeing the trailer have tagged the movie as a total ‘rip-off’ of the popular South African Movie ‘Sarfarina’.
With the rip-off controversy in mind and GC’s desire to find out what we should expect from ‘Somewhere In Africa’, we contacted the leading Actress in the movie-Martha Ankomah for an interview solely centred around the movie… Read our chit chat below…
GhanaCelebrities.Com: Martha, How did you get involved in the movie ‘Somewhere In Africa’?
I actually produced the movie and I also played a lead role in the movie. I played the role of one of the school pupils. I’ve been acting in Ghana for sometime now so they did their casting for the movie and I was given the lead role in the movie as well as working on the production.
GhanaCelebrities.Com: What did you find most challenging about your role in the movie ‘Somewhere In Africa’?
You really have to be very emotional with this kind of role. I really had to get into character. I had to take my time and really understand the character I’m playing and meditating on the lines also helped me get into character.
Also I had to make sure I looked as my character demanded. I made sure I looked like a school girl, so I had to slim down a bit as I’m naturally big boned and wanted to make sure I looked more like a school girl.
GhanaCelebrities.Com: Some people especially GhanaCelebrities.Com readers have been criticising the movie as a total ‘rip-off’ of the South African Movie ‘Sarafina’. As an actress in the movie with more insight on the storyline, do you honestly think it is a rip off of Sarafina?
When people say that, I say it’s a lie because they have not even seen the movie. What they’ve seen is the promo and there nothing of Sarafina in the promo.
I wonder why people won’t wait to see the movie before they make any comments but most Africans are like that so I’m not surprised. They always prejudice things.
I would just say somewhere in Africa is one of the best movies produced in Ghana so I would say to the public and those in support of the Ghanaian movie industry to take the time and watch the movie first before throwing out such comments and criticisms.
GhanaCelebrities.Com: Finally, are there any projects you’re currently been working on that your fans should know?
I’ve done a lot of good movies after ‘Somewhere In Africa’. There’s a movie that is going to be premiered very soon in Ghana at the National Theatre on the 8th of July, 2011 called ‘Bed of Roses’.
My fans should keep praying for me and support me as well as the Ghanaian movie industry. With the fans help, prayers and support we will defiantly get to the top.
Watch The Trailer Longer Version Of “Somewhere In Africa Below”
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=epAIUUxR7i4
Check The Music Video Of “Somewhere In Africa Below”
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=362_c83KDvw
Website: http://somewhereinafricamovie.com/
Grand Premiere: National Theatre, 30th July, 2011 @ 6:00pm
September Premiere: London, New York, Houston
October Premiere: Dallas, Washington
Well spoken on your interview Martha your young smart independent lady with a bright feature keep ut up with the good job your doing I have seen who own the city and I have to say that it’s a must see movie you always seem to play your roll right nice one but try and show your bazooka more let the camera man roll the camera on it so we men can enjoy it more 🙂
@Miyagi…hehehe..bazooka..lol…Yep..she dey force paa…@least shes better dan some i knw
@ThickMama, hahaha your names says it all look I Wang be surprise if your caring those Bazooka’s as well African girls are bless and I co sign to your comment as well she is good at acting
matha, your film is a rip off sarafina. in sarafina, did the students not sing at assembly? did whoopi goldberg not say she was teaching the children about where they are from, Amanobea says the same in your promo. The cemetary scene in sarafina, the girl who sang at the burial in sarafina died of AIDS some years back, you in your promo also have someone singing.
sarafina is about the revolt of school kids, that is the same you have in your promo. the story of Majid is a copy of Sometimes in April and last king of scotland combined.
stop deceiving yourself that this Frank Raja copiato film is the best movie to come out of Ghana. Its like you are not on the internet to see the best movie to come out of Ghana’s promo yet.
@aisha menda, why do people like you always come and spoil the fun here did you take your time to read her interview which movie has not been copied before just shut up and wait untill you see the movie like she stars already
@aisha menda, and so what?????????????? ” madam know it all” !
Havent you ever copied someone/something in your life before?
@B.B, say it again BB
@B.B,Don’t hate on someone just because they say it as it is…….Aisha is merely expressing her opinion and comparing and contrasting…….
@Aqua, question have you or aisha seen the movie did you take your time to read or can you come with your own story line which Hollywood or African movie hasn’t been copied before
@B.B, oh my God,i like your comment….”Havent you ever copied someone/something in your life before? “hahahahahahahaha……………..
@aisha menda, in film studies there’s a word called ‘INTERTEXTUALITY’. If you don’t know the meaning, go search for it. The
fact that the movie is similar to that of Sarafina doesn’t mean it’s a rip off.
@joh, thank you thumps up for that Ashia incase you font no means relating to or deriving meaning from the interdependent ways in which texts stand in relation to each other so before you judge be sure about it
@Miyagi, u welcome. 🙂
@Miyagi..lol..its nufin much..lol.. n wheda sarafina copy or no sarafina copy..all gud movie be movie…
@ThickMama, hahahh it’s nuffin let Dr. Miyagi do the investigation hhahahahahaha when you say there is nothing means to me that their is a bigger bazooka there a world wide map I betas round as Gh map
Nice interview 4rm Martha though.I’d like to watch dis movie. Anyway ders nothing wrong with copying someone but Frank Rajah shd try & come out with his own storylines cos pple always accuse him of “stealing” other pple’s stories wheneva his movie comes out whch means he always does dat.He shd just be more creative wid his storylines.
@Miyagi..lol..such a nutty Dr u r!!
@ThickMama, hahha Lol I’m busted
But ofcourse she would never confirm Ι̥τ̲̅ even if Ι̥τ̲̅ was A̶̲̥̅ rip off of sarafina (I mean, why would she do that???) But is this something new???? Most movies made in *GH* here is A̶̲̥̅ ‘rendition’ of foreign and even nollywood movies….we lack originality….afterall in most cases the executive producer writes and produce the movie (someone who can barely express himself claims to be A̶̲̥̅ writer)intresting things do happen in the industry….but kudos to Martha tho, cuz rip off or N◦ rip off its quite hectic being on set and surely, sarafina did not act for her…..lol
@pershia,Come on be positive
@Miyagi, L̳̿Ö̤̣̇☺ː̗̀(=)))ː̖́☺Ö̤̣̇L̳̿……˚☺k° sake of ΰ I wud be lol…..but seriously man, wud disagree wiτ̅h me on dis one???
@pershia, hahahaha Lets wait and see
i just love that big ass girl shakin her pom pom……………it’s a sight to behold…..the uniforms are quite short, showing things…..i’m alreadi lovin dis movie…..lol
the movie looks gud and i love the shootin bit…it looks much better than the rattling sound and fake fire we’re used to….but i think the similarity is jst too much….also,why do dey sound like dat??? the sound so south african……nyways,i love it alreadi and i’m gonna watch it…
i love martha ankomah. My best ghanaian actress. Mwaaaaah
Aisha, we know who you are..stop hiding behind that fake name and come out or you will be exposed.. have you seen the movie? SHAME !!!!!!
I cannot wait for Frank Rajah’s next production. I am sure he is gonna come out with a spin of of our old favoured Chinese movies. Imagine Majid shouting “shifu” or “nihau” to Kofi adjolorlor.. You killed my father, prepare to die John Dumelo. Gbeshiaa!
@Joseph Midnight, LOL 😀
@Joseph Midnight, hahahhaa looool
Well well well… Martha is a great actress and thats sweet.. The promo indeed reminds us of the African Cinema Drama-Buster Sarafina! But its ok.. Its been given a new look!! Lets wait for the premier! Then the full critique can start!!
in my opinion i think this movie is a rip off,but lets wait till the movie comes out,then we can take it from there.
for abinitio are step my eye for ur first movies i watch,are d’nt have any hateful for it,i luv ur movies because of one thing,for my mind now martha u are Among the best actor in Nollwood.Go..go..still actin ur supports is ur back.go and receive ur award.
Martha i think u deserve award for ur interestin movies kip on d’nt Give up@u are Among my best Actress in Ghana movies…