"Somewhere in Africa", directed by Frank Rajah is a powerful story centred on postcolonial Africa exploring historical fact and the unfortunately timeless issues of corrupt governments, poverty, coup d'etats, insurrection and rebellions. Most importantly, it greatly inspires Africans to be proud of being African, enjoy their uniqueness and try to pull out of the chains colonization has clamped on us. Many issues are raised which are pertinent to African history and is definitely a must-see for all, especially those who care about making a difference in Africa's state of affairs.
Though a short 30-minute excerpt of this movie was premiered to press only, it was resounding enough to merit a loud standing ovation by the press at the end of the screening. It featured Ghanaian acting giants such as Majid Michel, the dramatic Martha Ankomah, Eddie Nartey (always seeming to hog Majid as a friend or brother in many movies), Roselyn Ngizzah, Amonbia Dodoo and many others. Majid outdid himself playing two very opposite roles : a journalist hungry for a major breakthrough in his career, and a rebellion leader with unpredictable mood swings. His darker twin, literally and character-wise, may remind you of the character of The Joker in "Batman: The Dark Knight". Majid, speaking to press, said he drew from the characters of various African tyrants to be able to play this very demanding role. His work paid off and he moved his audience with his performance. Amonbia Dodoo delivered her poetic lines with an infused inspirational note that made one's chest bloat with the pride of being African. Roselyn Ngizzah, as a factional head of the rebel army, displayed a hardness that outdid any man. However, she did show her soft sides when she showed mercy against the mood-driven orders of her boss.
However, the accents that were adopted for this movie did not really work. Majid and Eddie sounded quite comic in the beginning speaking the 'Kimbala' accent. They would have done well to remain with their Ghanaian accents, because in essence, it is still African. Two weeks were used for rehearsal, as is typical of many Ghanaian movies; a short time for rehearsal and the rest for shooting. However, it may be said, as the popular adage goes, time waits for no man.
Frank Rajah has definitely stepped out of his comfort zone by going beyond the genre of Ghanaian movies that publicise the female as a dangerous, sex object, and the male, an accomplice to cheapening the phenomenon of sex, to a genre that is both powerful and inspiring. And he did it incredibly, thus the raucous ovation he received at the end of the screening.
This movie would be premiering to the public at the National Theatre on the 30th of July. Put this down in your to-do list, be present on that day to laugh, cry and be inspired by Frank Rajah who has realized his African duty to use his position to beat the drums and call Africans to remember their past and revel in their uniqueness.
There are whispers that the next movie after this would be "Refugees", seeming to toe the same line as its predecessor, "Somewhere in Africa".
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