African film culture has come under a lot of scrutiny and criticism in recent times; especially that of Ghana, but few people are making a conscious effort to change this narrative. One of such people is Kobina deGraft Johnson, who is the founder and CEO of Anibok Studios. Born in Tema, Ghana, but now based in New York City, Kobina’s production company is committed to actively creating a catalogue of 100 films aimed at shaping the storytelling narrative of Ghanaian and Afro-American culture.
As part of their efforts, Anibok Studios just released their new short film shot entirely in Ghana. The film, called “Seguwa,” is written by Grace Ecklu, starring Michael Nuku Haligah as “Ato” and Grace Lindsay Orleans as “Seguwa”.
With Kobina “Anibok” deGraft Johnson as the director, “Seguwa” is a raw and authentic story that highlight an often-critical part of modern-day relationships. The lead actress is willing to give her partner the joy of being a father but then she is hit with the conundrum of if they both have the capacity and the readiness to be parents. This comes together perfectly to tell a beautiful love story that captures the duality of love, vulnerability, and a sense of hope in overcoming the emotional challenge of making a life changing decision, told with the perfect blend of the local Ghanaian language Fante, and English. The characters bring so much life out of Grace Ecklu’s pen.
