DAAAS Movie Night: The Eyes of Ghana

Dear Community,

Please join DAAAS Movie Nights for the screening of THE EYES OF GHANA. This is an American documentary feature film directed by Ben Proudfoot and executive produced by Barack and Michelle Obama, Higher Ground Media. The film follows Chris Hesse, the personal cameraman to revolutionary leader Kwame Nkrumah, the first president of Ghana, who was deposed in a coup d'état in 1966. Having saved over 1,000 rolls of film from Nkrumah's enemies who sought to destroy them, Hesse, now in his 90's, passes them on to a protégé and together they attempt to hold a public screening of footage never seen in public before. The film screening will be followed by a conversation with one of the film's producers, Nana Adwoa Frimpong facilitated by DAAAS's award-winning Professor Aaron Van Jordan.

About the Film

Kwame Nkrumah was the first president of Ghana and a key figure in Africa’s liberation movement. Nkrumah was also a great lover of cinema and recognised the extraordinary political power of the moving image. To this end, he set up cinemas all around Ghana, while ensuring that his every move was documented on film, courtesy of his personal cinematographer Chris Hesse, who—together with clips from the vast archive he shot—forms the vibrant centre of this delightful film. The Eyes of Ghana is an extraordinary document, not just of Nkrumah’s life and Ghana’s independence, but also of a 20th century that is starting to fade from view, even as its events continue to cascade like dominoes into our current age. A deeply felt love letter to the power of cinema, both as an art form and store of historical record, the film is a must-see for anyone with a devotional love for film.

This event is co-sponsored by the Center for African Studies (CAS)

Date: Wednesday November 4

Time: 7-9.30pm

Location: Building 80 (Main Quad)

Refreshments will be provided.

RSVP

Hope to see you there!

Warmly,

DAAAS Team