American-based Ghanaian movie producer Leila Jewel Djansi
American-based Ghanaian movie producer Leila Jewel Djansi has launched a scathing critique of the Ghanaian film industry, describing it as a “mirthless joke.”
In a Facebook post, the award-winning filmmaker, who has been active in the industry since 2000, did not hold back as she highlighted systemic issues plaguing the sector.
She recounted several shocking experiences she encountered while working in Ghana including an incident where former actor and now politician John Dumelo was nearly stabbed on set.
“I have tasted and tested the Ghana film industry since the year 2000. Bled red blood for it and from it, and… it is a mirthless joke.
“Try an AD (Assistant Director) telling you he’s going to sleep for a few minutes in the middle of a shoot. Try a crew demanding you stop filming, bring a TV so they can watch football, and then return to set after the match. Look up what Cary Fukunaga said about working in Ghana. Try wardrobe telling an actor they don’t have an outfit for them because their role is not big enough.
“Should I talk about the production designer who handed a real knife to an actor for a stabbing scene? My God. If it wasn’t for divine intervention, Vanessa Williams would have stabbed John Dumelo with a real knife that day. How is this not a joke?” she wrote.
She compared these incidents to her experiences in the Dominican Republic, where she witnessed a high level of professionalism and attention to detail.
“Compare that to my production in the Dominican Republic, where the props guy showed me eight different watches, properly arranged, for me to choose JUST ONE for the scene. Eight options. I cried tears of joy,” Djansi added.
The filmmaker urged industry players to stop defending mediocrity and instead embrace constructive criticism to drive growth.
See the post below:
ID/MA
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