| BORA - Film Review |
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William Akuffo, the Ghanaian filmmaker credited with the first production of a feature film in the video format for the big screen in the world, has after a long break, come out with another film titled Bora.
Once again his trademark python is featured prominently in the film, this time to punish people who are unfaithful to their spouses. In a chat with William Akuffo he gave Oh Yes an insight into the making of the film, which many believe will be another hit. Oh Yes: Why did you wait for so long before coming out with Bora? William Akuffo (WA): I have made a number of films over the years after the successes of Zinabu, which was the first feature film on video and the Diabolo series. But have decided not to release them until I completed the Ghallywood Film Village, which is currently ongoing. Oh Yes: What is Ghallywood about. Is it on the same lines as Hollywood, Bollywood and in Nigeria Nollywood? WA: Very much so but Ghallywood has a few other programmes such as building houses for some actors and actresses at the film village, put up structures for a film school and studios as well as have a housing project for actors and members of the public who so wish to stay in the theatre and film invironment. Oh Yes: Tell us about the production of Bora. WA: Most of the movie was shot on location at Ghallywood, a film village village under construction 20 or so kilometers from Tema on the Accra-Aflao road in the Greater Accra Region. This is just to prove to the public that even though the Ghallywood project is not completed, it is still possible to undertake major productions there. The movie was not only shot there, but the cast and crew were all housed there during the entire shoot. Oh Yes: Before production, did you envisage that a movie with such a Christian influence would go down well with audiences in Ghana and elsewhere? WA: I am aware that Ghana is a predominantly Christian country and so making a film against Christians will not be a good idea, so we intentionally flavoured it with the Christian doctrine, to appeal to the majority of Christians and even non-Christians. In the movie we questioned a few things. Oh Yes: What was your biggest challenge producing Bora? WA: Most Ghanaians are not supportive when it comes to producing films and other programmes that are capital intensive. Most would rather indulge in the pull-him-down attitude. Some of the TV stations we went to would not even listen to what we had to say when we approached them for support before they dismissed us. Why will the Nigerian movies not be better than ours when in our own country, we are not prepared to help each other. Our biggest challenge was therefore finance. Oh Yes: What is Bora about? WA: Bora is a tale of lust, life, murder and the retentive power of true Christian love. A beautiful woman seduces an unsuspecting husband and unless he is saved from that woman, he would be cast into the fires of hell to face internal damnation. Oh Yes: Who are some of the leading characters in the movie? WA: The cast of Bora comprise of a mixture of seasoned and fresh actors, who collaborated to make a great movie. They included Eunice Banini, Scholarstica Hayford, Abeiku Saigoe, Kaifui Kavi, Dzifa Dpgbega, Stacy Afful, Sena Fianu, Jack Sherren and Divine Gbedie. Oh Yes: What about the crew? WA: William Sefa Jnr. Handled the camera, Nii Arday and Richlove Jibrine, were soundman and assistant soundman, while Ben Quayson was the gaffer. The others were William Akuffo: Editor, Scholastica Hayford; Production manager, and directed by William Akuffo. Oh Yes: What other projects do you have lined up for 2010? WA: Before 2010 we will release at least about five movies. 2010 itself will see a lot of movies. I keep telling people that Ghallywood is a movie factory and so all we will keep doing is producing movies and also help other people do movies till no foreign movies are shown on our TV stations again. It is very possible because, we were able to stop movies from China, India and even the Rambos etc. Soon Ghallywood African Village will be the destination for most foreigners visiting Ghana as a tourist destination. The Academy is also intended to train both local and foreign students in acting and other related subjects, among other things. |
