Abraham Attah Is Too Young For Ambassadorship – Akunu Dake

Young actor, Abraham Attah who got his break in Netflix movie, Beasts Of No Nation, has been winning since the movie hit the theatres.

He’s won awards all over the world and has been commended by many including the Prsident of Ghana, John Dramani Maham who stated that the young man is the face of Ghana.

The tourism minister also at a forum indicated at the media launch of the 11th Okwahu Paragliding festival 2016 that the ministry was looking at making him Ghana’s Tourism Ambassador.

This generated some arguments with many saying that he’s too young. It seems the CEO of Heritage Development Ghana, Akunu Dake shares the same view.

In a report on MyJoyOnline, Akunu reiterated that even though the young actor has accomplished a lot in this short period of time, he’s not too grounded in the entertainment industry to carry the mantle of being a tourism ambassador for Ghana. he said a hasty decision like this could go a long way to kill the career of the teenager.

He said there are many people who can sell Ghana to the outside world and therefore the young boy shouldn’t be pushed into that terrain since he isn’t fully grounded in the industry.

“I CERTAINLY THINK THE YOUNG MAN HAS DONE QUITE WELL AND SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED BUT LET US BE CAREFUL HOW WE HANDLE HIM, SO THAT WE DON’T KILL HIS INITIATIVE AND THE TALENT. THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE WHO CAN SELL GHANA, ABRAHAM IS A YOUNG PERSON WHO IS NOT FULLY GROUNDED.”

Credit: omgvoice.com

Abraham Attah Is Too Young For Ambassadorship – Akunu Dake

MY SON’S FAIR-COLOURED SKIN DENIED HIM ABRAHAM ATTAH’S ROLE IN BEASTS OF NO NATION – BANDEX

Entertainment critic Ahmed Banda, popularly known as Bandex, has described Abraham Attah’s recent ascendancy in his acting career as dream come true for the young actor.

According to Bandex, who is father of child actor Rahim Banda, Abraham Attah deserves the role he played as ‘Agu’ in the award winning movie ‘Beasts of No Nation’ since his son, was the one to have been chosen but due to his fair-coloured skin he was not featured in the award winning movie.

Speaking on Kasapa FM, the Movie cum music producer asserted that sixteen year old (16) Rahim Banda was the only young actor who was auditioned twice, adding on the eve of the auditioning at premises of Accra-based TV3, Abraham Attah was absent.

Bandex noted that though Abraham’s success is phenomenal, journalists should be circumspect in their reportage to save the 16 year old actor’s career.

When asked if he (Bandex) agrees to the clamour by the the public for Abraham Attah’s relocation to the US, the Entertainment Pundit said, “Yes Abraham should relocate to the US but should be trained to be versatile since movies like Beasts of No Nation come once in awhile with good story line and good directing.”

In an answer to Attah’s recent comment that he will not feature in ‘Local’ movies, Bandex said, Beasts of No Nation is a local movie as compared to other Hollywood movies, adding that it is a low budgeted film

Kasapafmonline

MY SON’S FAIR-COLOURED SKIN DENIED HIM ABRAHAM ATTAH’S ROLE IN BEASTS OF NO NATION – BANDEX

Abraham Attah Needs Prayers – Bandex

Movie and music producer, Bandex believes that this is the right time for young actor, Abraham Attah to shine.

Bandex in a chat on Kasapa FM over the weekend told Kojo Preko, host of the entertainment show that looking at the circumstances, which happened before the Dansoman boy, gained a role in the movie ‘Beasts of No Nation’ which shot him to fame, it is clear that he was destined for the role.

Bandex revealed that Abraham Attah was absent during the audition, which happened at TV3 premises in Accra, but God had already appointed him for the role even before the moviemakers traveled to Ghana to search for a child for the movie.

“ABRAHAM ATTAH WAS NOT AT THE AUDITION GROUND AT TV3. IF GOD SAYS IT IS GOING TO BE YOUR ROLE, NOBODY CAN CHANGE IT NO MATTER WHERE YOU ARE HIDING.”

According to him, Abraham Attah had almost all the qualities producers of the movie wanted for the “typical African” movie. He later praised the directors of Beasts of No Nation who trained Abraham Attah.

Ahmed Banda pleaded with Ghanaians to help the Abraham Attah.

“ABRAHAM ATTAH IS OURS SO I WILL PLEAD WITH GHANAIANS TO PRAY FOR HIM”

Bandex further agreed with many Ghanaians who have called for the relocation of the child star to America.

Credit: omgvoice.com

Abraham Attah Needs Prayers – Bandex

Abraham Attah Is The “Face Of Ghana” – President Mahama

Abraham Attah, the 15 year old actor who featured in Beasts Of No Nation trended the whole of last week when he presented an award at the prestigious 88th Academy Awards(Oscars).

As Ghana celebrated it’s 59th independence, the first gentleman of the nation, President John Dramani Mahama congratulated the young actor and called him the “face of Ghana”.

During his speech at the Black Star Square, President Mahama said Ghanaians applauded the loudest when the young actor received his international movie awards abroad, yet he belongs to the whole continent.

Abraham Attah Is The “Face Of Ghana” – President Mahama

Must read: Education is Abraham Attah’s top priority

Young actor Abraham Attah is living the life many can only dream of as a result of his lead role in the critically acclaimed movie ‘Beasts of No Nation, but the glitz and glam isn’t his focus.

He told American Publication Variety moments after he won the ‘Best Male Lead’ award at the Independent Spirit Awards 2016 held over last weekend that he definitely wants to continue acting “but I have to focus on school.”

He played the lead role of Agu, who when civil war tears his family apart, is forced to join a unit of mercenary fighters and transformed into a child soldier.

He has won three major awards including Marcello Mastroianni Award for Best Young Actor at Venice Film Festival 2015 and ‘Rising Star Award’ at the Black Fim Critics Circle (BFCC).

The award scheme called Attah’s role as “one of the strongest and most phenomenal we have ever seen” and added that he had “a very bright future ahead of him”.

Based on the 2005 novel of the same title by Uzodinma Iweala, the movie was shoot in Ghana and also stars Ama K. Abebrese, Fred Amugi and Grace Nortey. It was directed by Emmy Award-winning Cary Fukunaga, and the first fictional feature produced and distributed by Streaming Service Netflix.

The movie was premiered in Ghana last year. Before that, it premiered on Netflix and in selected Theaters in The United States of America on October 16.

It was screened at number of prestigious film festivals including Venice, BFI London and Toronto InternationalFilm Festival.

Source: livefmghana.com

Must read: Education is Abraham Attah’s top priority

Photos: Abraham Attah meets Vice Prez. Amissah Arthur

Actor Abraham Attah was at the Flagstaff House Friday afternoon at the invitation of the Vice President of Ghana, His Excellency Kwesi Amissah-Arthur.  Attah presented his 2016 Spirit Awards ‘Best Male Lead’ award to Mr. Amissah Arthur.

The ‘Beasts of No Nation’ actor arrived in Ghana this morning after about a week stay in the United States of America. He attended the 2016 Oscars where he presented the ‘Best Action Live Short Film’ award.

Attah was met on arrival at the Kotoka International Airport by a team of MK Casting led by Mawuko Kuadzi, members of the press and a large number of people, presumably fans who were excited to see him.

Photos of the meeting below.

Abraham Attah has won three major awards so far including  MarcelloMastroianni Award for Best Young Actor at Venice Film Festival 2015 and ‘Rising Star Award’ at the Black Fim Critics Circle (BFCC). The award scheme called Attah’s role as “one of the strongest and most phenomenal we have ever seen” and added that he had “a very bright future ahead of him”.

He played the lead role of Agu, who when civil war tears his family apart, is forced to join a unit of mercenary fighters and transformed into a child soldier.

Based on the 2005 novel of the same title by Uzodinma Iweala, the movie was shoot in Ghana and also stars Ama K. Abebrese, Fred Amugi and Grace Nortey. It was directed by Emmy Award-winning Cary Fukunaga, and the first fictional feature produced and distributed by Streaming Service Netflix.

The movie was premiered in Ghana last year. Before that, it premiered on Netflix and in selected Theaters in The United States of America on October 16.

It was screened at number of prestigious film festivals including Venice, BFI London and Toronto International Film Festival.

Source: livefmghana.com

Photos: Abraham Attah meets Vice Prez. Amissah Arthur

PHOTOS: Abraham Attah’s arrival @ Kotoka International Airport

Young actor, Abraham Attah arrived in Ghana minutes ago after about a week stay in the United States of America. He attended the 2016 Oscars where he presented an award, and also won ‘Best Male Lead’ at the 2016 Independent Spirit Awards.

Attah was met on arrival by a team of MK Casting led by Mawuko Kuadzi, members of the press and a large number of people, presumably fans who were excited to see the ‘Beasts of No Nation’ actor.

He has won three major awards so far including  Marcello Mastroianni Award for Best Young Actor at Venice Film Festival 2015 and ‘Rising Star Award’ at the Black Fim Critics Circle (BFCC). The award scheme called Attah’s role as “one of the strongest and most phenomenal we have ever seen” and added that he had “a very bright future ahead of him”.

Abraham Attah played the lead role of Agu, who when civil war tears his family apart, is forced to join a unit of mercenary fighters and transformed into a child soldier.

Based on the 2005 novel of the same title by Uzodinma Iweala, the movie was shoot in Ghana and also stars Ama K. Abebrese, Fred Amugi and Grace Nortey. It was directed by Emmy Award-winning Cary Fukunaga, and the first fictional feature produced and distributed by Streaming Service Netflix.

The movie was premiered in Ghana last year. Before that, it premiered on Netflix and in selected Theaters in TheUnited States of America on October 16.

It was screened at number of prestigious film festivals including Venice, BFI London and Toronto InternationalFilm Festival.

Source: livefmghana.com

PHOTOS: Abraham Attah’s arrival @ Kotoka International Airport

KSM Defends Radio Presenters Who Mocked Abraham Attah

Kwaku Sintim-Misa aka KSM has defended radio presenters, Lexis Bill,Jay Foley and MzGee who mocked teen actor, Abraham Attah for his speech delivered at the recently held Independent Spirit Awards when he walked on stage to receive Best actor award.

The veteran comedian in an interview with Christian Agyei Frimpong on Accra-based Onua FM opined that “it was a joke gone wrong”. To him, he sees nothing wrong with what the three radio presenters said about the actor so he finds it worrying to see Ghanaians toast them on social media.

“HONESTLY, WITH WHAT I LISTENED, I DON’T THINK I CAN BASE ON THAT TO SAY THE RADIO PRESENTERS HATE THE ACTOR BECAUSE WHAT I’VE READ ON SOCIAL MEDIA SUGGESTS THAT THEY HATE THE BOY.

I THINK IT IS A JOKE GONE WRONG. EVERY JOKE IS BASED ON TIMING. THERE IS NOTING YOU CAN JOKE ABOUT BUT EVERYTHING IS BASED ON THE TIMING THAT HAS MADE THE JOKE GONE WRONG. THIS IS THE DAY THE YOUNG CHAP HAS RECEIVED AN EXTREMELY IMPORTANT AWARD SO THIS IS THE TIME WE ALL RALLY AROUND HIM. EVEN IF HIS ORAL PRESENTATION WAS WRONG SOMEWHERE ALONG THE LINE, THIS IS NOT THE TIME FOR JOKES ON IT.

ALL I WILL SAY IS, IT IS A JOKE GONE WRONG BUT I WON’T TERM THEM AS HATERS BECAUSE THE BOY’S DELIVERY CAN GO UNDER ANY JOKE BUT THE TIMING IS WHAT MATTERS. I CAN JOKINGLY COMMENT ABOUT THIS SOME MONTHS AFTER AND WE WILL ALL LAUGH.”

The satirist and show host agreed with movie producer Leila Djansi who has suggested that the ‘Beasts Of No Nation’ actor should be relocated to America because “his career cannot be sustained in Ghana”.

Credit: omgvoice.com

KSM Defends Radio Presenters Who Mocked Abraham Attah

Abraham Attah Finally Replies The Radio Presenters Who Mocked Him

Child actor Abraham Attah is not happy about comments three Accra-based radio presenters, Lexis Bill, Jay Foley and Mzgee made about his speech at the recently held Independent Spirit Awards when he walked on stage to receive Best actor award.

The ‘Beasts of No Nation’ actor in an instagram post Wednesday afternoon stated that he never expected the award so it came as a surprise to him when his name was mentioned on the night as winner of the prestigious award.

“L KNOW THAT SOME OF THE RADIO PRESENTERS IN GHANA ARE SAYING I GAVE A BAD SPEECH AT THE INDEPENDENT SPIRIT AWARDS. THEY DON’T KNOW WHAT HAPPENED TO ME. I THOUGHT I WAS NOT GOING TO WIN SO I DECIDED NOT TO WRITE ANY SPEECH DOWN. I WAS SO SURPRISED WHEN SHE MENTIONED MY NAME. I DIDN’T KNOW WHAT TO SAY WHEN I WENT UP THERE.”

Lexis Bill, Jay Foley and MzGee in a Facebook post on Tuesday apologised to the actor and Ghanaians for mimicking him on radio.

Abraham Attah Finally Replies The Radio Presenters Who Mocked Him

Forget Ghana Movie Industry And Go – Shatta Wale Tells Abraham Attah

Shatta Wale has backed those saying Abraham Attah should relocate to the USA if he wants his career to soar.

According to Shatta Wale, Abraham Attah made his song, “Like My Ting” rise both financially and fame-wise. Acknowledging this on his Facebook timeline, Shatta further advised the young actor to go and forget about Ghana Movie industry.

I’m not sure what Shatta Wale wants to imply with this but I believe it’s coming from the calls by movie director, Leila Djansi and Sonni Badu who have called on the boy to relocate to America if he wants to sustain his career.

Read Shatta’s post below:

STARS DONT STRUGGLE TO SHINE.SAME WAY YOU CANT STOP NO RIVER FROM FLOWING….THIS BOY MADE MY SONG “LIKE MY TING”,RISE FAME-WISE AND MONEY-WISE..GO BOY FORGET GHANA MOVIE INDUSTRY..‪#‎NOTIME‬

Forget Ghana Movie Industry And Go – Shatta Wale Tells Abraham Attah

Different Shades Of Beast Of No Nation Star, Abraham Attah

Abraham Attah is the man of the moment so yes, we’ll talk about him.

Abraham Attah won Best Lead Actor for his role in Netflix movie, Beast of No Nation at the Independent Spirit Awards recently and had won many before then.

For those who are still not aware, Abraham Attah was an average kid living in a community known as Ashaiman before he was discovered and had his life transformed.

From that little innocent boy, he’s become a young man slaying it in the fashion department.

Below are different shades of Abraham on the fashion lane.

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omgvoice.com

Different Shades Of Beast Of No Nation Star, Abraham Attah

From The Streets Of Ghana To Hollywood – Meet Abraham Attah

God has his own way of blessing people.

Abraham Attah, a first-timer in acting from Ghana, starred in a Netflix movie, Beats Of No Nation, alongside Edris Elba, Ama K. Abebrese among others and has since changed his life for good.

According to BusinessInsider, the director of Beats Of No Nation, Cary Fukunaga told the story of how he met and cast Abraham Attah for the leading role of his movie.

THE LEAD IN ‘BEASTS OF NO NATION’ WAS ESSENTIALLY A STREET VENDOR BEFORE WE SHOT THE FILM,” FUKUNAGA TOLD SCHAMUS AND THE AUDIENCE.

“HE HAD ZERO FILM EXPERIENCE, LITTLE EDUCATION…BUT HE BECAME A SOMEWHAT PROFESSIONAL ACTOR, WHICH WAS ASTOUNDING TO WATCH.”

HIS NAME IS ABRAHAM ATTAH, AND HE IS A 14-YEAR-OLD WHO PLAYS AN 11-YEAR-OLD CHILD SOLDIER IN THE FILM. ABRAHAM’S CHARACTER JOINS A MILITANT GROUP FROM AN UNNAMED WEST AFRICAN COUNTRY THAT IS LED BY A BRUTAL WARLORD, PLAYED BY IDRIS ELBA (“LUTHER”).

But Abraham initially had to fight for the role. According to Fukunaga, it was an interesting casting process:

“WE GATHERED A BUNCH OF KIDS WHO HAD POTENTIAL, ABOUT 30 OF THEM AND WE DID THIS THEATER WORKSHOP AND TRIED SCENES THAT WERE IN THE SCRIPT AND WE WOULD IMPROVISE AND SEE IF THESE KIDS COULD PLAY A VARIETY OF EMOTIONS AND ACTIONS THAT TAKE PLACE IN THE STORY. AND THE KIDS ARE FAST LEARNERS, THEY QUICKLY UNDERSTOOD THAT THE BETTER THEY DID, THE LONGER THEY STAYED [IN THE RUNNING FOR THE ROLE].”

Fukunaga touched on the amazing progression of Abraham as an actor when speaking about the most difficult scene during filming:

“WE HAD A DIFFICULT ONE LONG TAKE THAT HE HAD TO PERFORM; PROBABLY THE MOST INTENSE THING I EVER ASKED HIM TO DO IN THE FILM. HE HAD SIX OR SEVEN KIDS AROUND HIM PERFORMING [IN THE SCENE], AND I WATCHED HIM BECOME A LEADER AMONG THESE KIDS AND MAKE SURE THEY STAYED IN FOCUS AND NOT F— UP THE SHOT SO THEY DIDN’T HAVE TO DO IT OVER AGAIN. I GAVE ALMOST NO DIRECTION TO THOSE KIDS, ABRAHAM WAS DRIVING THAT SCENE.”

Abraham won big at the recently ended Venice Film Festival. See Photos of Abraham Attah below.

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Abraham Attah and Edris Elba in the movie, Beats Of No Nation

Netflix

Abraham Attah and Edris Elba in the movie

Netflix

Ama K. Abebresse, Edris Elba and Abraham on the cover of the movie

Netflix

 

Abraham Attah at the Venice Film Festival

Abraham Attah with his award

See photos of when Abraham Attah presented at the Oscars and won “best male actor” award at the Independent Spirit Awards.

Credit: omgvoice.com

From The Streets Of Ghana To Hollywood – Meet Abraham Attah

Sonnie Badu Agrees with Leila Djansi, Wants Abraham Attah Relocated To America Else …

Gospel musician Sonnie Badu agrees with movie producer Leila Djansi who thinks actor Abraham Attah should be relocated to America else “his career cannot be sustained in Ghana”.

The gospel musician in an Instagram post early Tuesday morning said he supports the movie-maker for his comments on Facebook on Monday which suggested that Cary Fukunaga, director for Abraham Attah’s breakthrough movie, ‘Beasts Of No Nation’ to relocate the Dansoman boy to America.

Sonnie Badu in his post said the pull him down syndrome in the country will hinder the progress of the actor should he stay in Ghana.

I AGREE WITH THIS LADY .. #RELOCATEABRAHAMATTAH OTHERWISE THEY WILL ……………. WITH THEIR PHD PULL HIM DOWN.. NOW HOW CAN YOU SIT ON RADIO AND SAY HE HAS DONE NOTHING AND THAT HE CAN’T SPEAK GOOD ENGLISH ? WELL LET ME TELL YOU , ONE OF THE MAJOR REASONS WHY THEY PICKED HIM WAS BECAUSE OF THAT VERY ACCENT , THE DAY HE LOOSES THAT , HE WILL BE OUT OF JOB.. MY TO MY FELLOW GHANAIANS LET’S LEARN TO CELEBRATE OUR HEROES , I WILL TELL OH THIS FOR FREE NIGERIANS WILL NEVER SIT ON THE RADIO AND CONDEMN SOMEONE WHO HAS MADE IT TO THE OSCARS AND AS SUCH BROUGHT HONOR TO THE COUNTRY THEY WILL ACTUALLY AWARD HIM .. GOD HAS BLESSED GHANA SO MUCH BUT HMMMM OUR PEOPLE WILL CELEBRATE OTHERS AND LEAVE THEIR OWN .. BUT DON’T WORRY WE ARE THE CHANGE !!

Credit: omgvoice.com

Sonnie Badu Agrees with Leila Djansi, Wants Abraham Attah Relocated To America Else …

Prez. Mahama congratulates young actor Abraham Attah

President John Mahama has joined the long list of Ghanaians and other well wishers abroad commending and encouraging young Ghanaian actor Abraham Attah, for his strides in the global film industry.

Attah has recently featured prominently on various global awards stages and picked some nominations and awards including the best male lead at the Independent Spirit Awards and the Marcello Mastroianni Award for Best Young Actor at the Venice film festival.

The icing on the cake perhaps was the opportunity to present an award at the Oscars.

He wore a customized pair of TOM shoes to the event and in return, the company will donate 10,000 pairs to needy children in Ghana.

The move has attracted applause from a cross section of Ghanaians and President Mahama was also impressed.

The President said on Twitter, “Congrats @AttahNii. Such a positive positioning of the Ghana Brand. We can do with many more Abraham Attah’s. #BeastsOfNoNation”

The 15-year old, who was assisting his mother by selling on the street with no acting background, shot to fame after getting a role in ‘Beasts of No Nation’ a movie shot in Ghana by Netflix.

Attah acted alongside celebrated Hollywood Actor, Idris Elba. The movie has since won several awards both in Ghana and Europe.

Attah and Idris Elba have picked several individual awards. Over the weekend, the two picked up another award at the Film Independent Spirit Awards.

Attah also had the rare privilege of being at the Oscars where he was selected to present an award.

Awards so far

Attah has won the prestigious Venice International Film Festival’s Marcello Mastroianni Best Young Actor Award, the National Board of Review Award for Best Breakthrough Performance, and the Black Film Critics Rising Star Award.

He also picked up two awards at the Ghana Movie Awards, NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture, the Independent Spirit Award for Best Male Lead and the Critics’ Choice Movie Award for Best Young Performer.

More important for Attah however, is the fact that he has secured himself another movie role via American director Shane Carruth’s adventure film, “The Modern Ocean” where he will be starring alongside Anne Hathaway, Keanu Reeves, Daniel Radcliffe, Chloe Grace Moretz, Tom Holland, Asa Butterfield and Jeff Goldblum.

He will also star in a short film titled “Out of the Village,” by a first time director called Jonathan Stein.

Source: citifmonline.com

Prez. Mahama congratulates young actor Abraham Attah

Relocate Abraham Attah To America, He Can’t Make It In Ghana – Leila Djansi

Controversial movie-maker, Leila Djansi has advisedCary Fukunaga, director for Abraham Attah’s breakthrough movie, ‘Beasts Of No Nation’ to relocate the Dansoman boy to America because “his career cannot be sustained in Ghana”.

The Ghanaian-born American-based movie producer in a Facebook post on Monday expressed her joy for the boy who was at the 88th Oscars to present an award.

In her post titled “LOOKING FORWARD TO GHANA AT THE OSCARS … ONE DAY.”, she also cried for the boy who won Best actor award last Saturday at the Independent Spirit Awards.

I AM SO HAPPY FOR ABRAHAM ATTAH. I AM ALSO SAD FOR HIM AT THE SAME TIME. BECAUSE, UNFORTUNATELY, UNLESS CARY AND CO MAKE THAT SMART DECISION TO RELOCATE ABRAHAM ATTAH TO THE US, HIS CAREER CANNOT BE SUSTAINED IN GHANA. IT’S MONDAY Y’ALL. AWARD SEASON IS OVER. DONE. ROLES FOR HIM ARE FEW AND FAR BETWEEN IN HOLLYWOOD IF HE IS NOT VISIBLE. IT’S HARD FOR CHILD STARS.

She continued to list factors she thinks Ghanaian movie-makers should follow in order to also get to the Oscars.

Below is an unedited post Leila Djansi posted on Facebook

LOOKING FORWARD TO GHANA AT THE OSCARS … ONE DAY.

Here I go again. Anyone ready to make any videos? 3-2-1…

I am so happy for Abraham Attah. I am also sad for him at the same time. Because, unfortunately, unless Cary and co make that smart decision to relocate Abraham Attah to the US, his career cannot be sustained in Ghana. It’s Monday y’all. Award season is OVER. DONE. Roles for him are few and far between in Hollywood if he is not visible. It’s hard for child stars.

It’s exciting to see Ghanaians all excited and staying up to watch the Oscars and its kinda sad to see them make these sacrifices knowing the people they’re watching have never seen nor heard of them.

Instead of standing in the bleachers and screaming fan based shoutouts, ask for a place at the table.

Yep, Leila is too known. Someone has to put her in her place. Leila has to conform to Ghana standards, where is Stella Den-something when you need her; blah blah blah.

But when you stand outside the crowd and you see the HUGE opportunity to advance that they’re missing, you weep. I would LOVE to be in Ghana and make movies from there and be close to my family instead of here in America where you don’t know when some trigger happy cop is going to off you cos you’re black. But the way some of us make films, Ghana cannot sustain us. I cannot hire a crew of 50 people, a cast of 100+ and not be able to make any money back or have them good/skilled enough for a smooth flow production.

You want to see Ghana films travel? how about telling ourselves the truth and stop throwing tantrums when someone does?

1. Lets make better movies. Enough of the vanity, love and fashion movies. We have so many stories to tell. Azumah Nelson, Yaa Asantewa, Kwame Nkrumah, Rawlings, Nana Konadu… It should not take 3 white kids to come to Ghana and make “Nakom” before a film shot in Ghana will make it to a major festival.

Let us be honest. We make terrible films. (I do too). Let us learn how to tell stories and tell them well. Let us tell honest stories. Not forced ones, but stories that hit close to home. Look at films from Francophone Africa. Honest stories have legs.

2. UNITY. Can we hold hands and sing Peace like a river please? The industry is too individualized. Everyone is serving their own self. Opera Square got it right when they created a foundation to sustain the kind of movies they make. But, there are different people in the mix. Since a group of people stopped the film bill from traveling any further and the industry is stuck under opera square, so be it. But it’s kinda like having a phone that is not Facebook capable when you need one that is Facebook capable. Opera square is great for a certain style of filmmaking. It cannot accommodate the new ways so it has to evolve to sustain everyone. If someone makes a movie on $50,000 why should he sell it for ¢5? But if another makes a movie 0n 5000 dollars and sells it for 5ghc, he can break even. Let’s create an industry that supports everyone, or set up tiers.

3. EDUCATION and TRAINING. I will never stop saying this because I have never seen anything like it… When an AD asks permission to go take a nap whiles we’re shooting, or when an AD spends all his time taking pictures even when talent is on set…you know something is wrong. We need well trained crew. Crew who understand the ETHICS of their departments. Not the glory of posing beside the camera, but the getting the work done and done right type of crew.

4. This is what I said and the calvary got galvanized. Globalization has taken over African filming. It’s no longer relegated to Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya or SA. We are making movies that cross borders. How about we create a faction? Because you cannot carry everyone along. Not everyone wants to change. Like minded people could form a coalition, brand that coalition. advertise it, start with the festivals, send the coalition to panels, create strategies to sell our films far and wide. Make it visible. Show the world Africa is more than war and HIV… Give the power to the producer, not the distributor who holds your film for 5 years and pays you peanuts. The coalition has rules, you want a members’ film, these are our rules…

The Academy is changing it’s rules and going for diversity and inclusion. Africa deserves a place at the table. Not at the fashion and party table with the kids, but at the grown up table. But… we are going to have to put in the work.

The oscars are closer than you think. Ask Abraham and Lupita.

Credit: omgvoice.com

Relocate Abraham Attah To America, He Can’t Make It In Ghana – Leila Djansi

Magical Moments Of Abraham Attah Over The Weekend

Young, Abraham Attah is making Ghana proud by notching up awards worldwide.

He had a splendid weekend, obviously. See below the five magical moments of his weekend.

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He won “best male actor” award at the Independent Spirit Awards

and dedicated it to his co-stars.

He then met Sylvester Stallone

yea! Rambo

AbrahamAttah/Facebook

He also met with rapper Common

Can it get any better??

AbrahamAttah/Facebook

And then he presented at the Oscars

with Jacob Tremblay, living the dream huh?

Kevin Winter/Getty Images

4. He co-presented with Idris Elba too

AbrahamAttah/Facebook

And then again took a flick with the grandfather of Hollywood, Morgan Freeman

can life get any better than this?

omgvoice.com

Magical Moments Of Abraham Attah Over The Weekend