The Sophisticated Gents

The Green Mile

Buck and the Preacher

⁣The Art of Healing, a feature documentary that tells the story of transatlantic trade from the Ghanaian perspective, has premiered.
The documentary, which was inspired by the works of Ghanaian sculptor Kwame Akoto-Bamfo, premiered at Silverbird Cinemas in Accra last Sunday, with some attendees from the diaspora and some top personalities gracing the occasion.
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The feature documentary themed: "Finding Freedom from the Descendant Pain of Slavery" is a production of V1 Film Studios with Mr. Amar Deep Singh Hari as the Executive Producer and was directed by Yaw Pare and Darius Matheson.
The documentary captures scenes of Akoto-Bamfo's Nkyinkyim museum, which showcases various artistic monuments, including the 1500 concrete life-size heads and 3000 terracotta miniature sculpted heads.
According to Akoto-Bamfo, these installations at his museum represent captive Africans who were abducted and sold forcibly during the transatlantic slave trade.

"The healing from the trauma of the slave trade has not been fully addressed by us. So on my journey in trying to find myself as an African and Ghanaian, I came across all forms of trauma in people and that is why I saw the need to do this documentary so that Africans can heal and move forward, especially considering our dark history," he told pressmen at the documentary premiere.
He added: "The Nkyinkyim museum is a creative space that seeks to contribute to telling our story, and it has over the years incorporated our understanding of what it means to promote and preserve our intangible cultural heritage."
The documentary details the shock, horror, distress, and anger that occurred during the peak of the transatlantic slave trade and also recalls how the slavery phenomenon started.
Mr Yaw Pare, a co-director of the documentary, was elated with the massive turnout of the premiere and stated the commitment of his outfit to make more of such a series.
"This documentary is the beginning of creating a dialogue between the diaspora and also bridging the communication gap so that we can both understand each other about the real happenings of slavery so that we can move forward," he said.
The feature documentary is expected to be made available on Netflix in the coming weeks.

"Catch a Fire" is a South African documentary that delves into the complexities and challenges of apartheid through personal stories and historical context. The documentary features Bonnie Henna, a well-known South African actress, who plays a significant role in narrating and connecting the audience to the themes explored in the film.

The film focuses on the true story of Patrick Chamusso, a South African who became a revolutionary fighter against the oppressive apartheid regime. Chamusso's journey from an apolitical man to a militant in the African National Congress (ANC) is depicted, highlighting the brutal realities of apartheid and the lengths to which individuals were driven to fight for freedom and justice.

Bonnie Henna's involvement brings a relatable and empathetic perspective to the documentary. Her narration and on-screen presence help to humanize the historical events, making the story more accessible and engaging for the audience.

Overall, "Catch a Fire" is a powerful documentary that sheds light on the personal and collective struggles during one of the most tumultuous periods in South African history, with Bonnie Henna playing a crucial role in its storytelling.

"For a Few Dollars More" is a 1965 spaghetti Western film directed by Sergio Leone. It is the second installment in what is commonly referred to as the "Dollars Trilogy," following "A Fistful of Dollars" (1964) and preceding "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly" (1966).

"Buck and the Preacher" is a 1972 Western film directed by and starring Sidney Poitier. The movie also features Harry Belafonte and Ruby Dee. It follows the story of Buck, a wagon master, and a con man preacher as they lead a group of former slaves to settle in the West while facing various challenges, including racist bounty hunters. The film is notable for its portrayal of African American characters in the Wild West genre, which was rare at the time of its release. It's considered a classic within the genre and for its historical significance.

"Brotherhood of Death" is a 1976 American film directed by Bill Berry. It falls within the exploitation genre and is notable for its portrayal of racial issues, particularly during the Civil Rights Movement era.

The film follows three African American Vietnam War veterans who return to their hometown in the American South, only to find that racism and discrimination are still rampant. They witness a white police officer unjustly shooting a black man and decide to take matters into their own hands. The veterans form a vigilante group called the "Brotherhood of Death" to fight against racial injustice and protect their community.

"Brotherhood of Death" addresses themes of racism, discrimination, and the struggle for equality. It explores the complexities of racial tensions in the United States during the 1970s, drawing parallels between the experiences of black soldiers fighting abroad and the challenges they face upon returning home.

The film received mixed reviews upon its release, with some critics praising its exploration of important social issues and others criticizing its low production values and melodramatic elements. However, it remains a notable example of exploitation cinema from the 1970s and is remembered for its attempt to address important social issues within the context of genre filmmaking.
© 1976

"Posse" is a Western film directed by and starring Mario Van Peebles. Released in 1993, it follows a group of African-American soldiers who, after fighting in the Spanish-American War, seek revenge against a corrupt Colonel who betrayed their unit. The film explores themes of racism, justice, and identity against the backdrop of the Old West. It received mixed reviews but has gained a cult following for its unique take on the Western genre and its portrayal of black cowboys.
© 1993

"Capricorn One" is a 1977 science fiction thriller film directed by Peter Hyams. The movie revolves around a Mars landing mission that's supposed to be real, but due to technical difficulties, the astronauts are secretly kept on Earth while the mission is faked for the public through a studio set. When the astronauts realize the government's plan to kill them to maintain the deception, they must find a way to expose the truth and survive. It's a suspenseful story that explores themes of government conspiracy and the manipulation of truth in the media.
© 1978