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Samuel Ofori; A Liabilty Or An Asset to the Ghanaian Creative Arts Industry
The creative arts industry in Ghana especially the movie sector has suffered a lot of set backs and continues to experience such setbacks as the only bill drafted and submitted to the Ghanaian parliament since 1994 remains a draft and has not even had the attention of law makers of the country.
With this, the industry has seen many people come up as directors and producers of movies irrespective of their knowledge or very little knowledge in that field. Among the many names mentioned is Kumasi based actor, ‘producer and director’ Samuel Ofori whose productions have got a lot of people talking, backlashing and rediculing movies from that end often referred to as ‘Kumawood’ movies.
Carefully following the said actor and his productions for a while, I realise the dude lacked creativity and was not cut for the industry tagged “creative arts”. Why would I say this? Kindly take time to read the subsequent lines as I outline his productions.
One of his very early productions was Fake London Boy. I guess that reminds of Ghanaian songstress Tifanny right? Yes!! Back in the day when Tiffany’s song Fake London Boy Blew Up, the said actor just jumped to it and produced a movie with this title just to sell the movie.
He was pardoned because, I felt he was just an opportunist and would not continue but my dream was cut short as he introduced his next movie Oh Vera.
I guess that also reminds you of that monster hit track by Black Avenue Music CEO, D Black and Joey B. The dude was just quick enough to “create” a movie based on the same storyline from the song and I wonder if he paid anything to D Black since the artist once tweeted expressing how disgusting it was on the producer’s part.
This action did not end he would continue with his adventure of jumping unto popular songs and movements to create movies. I know most people in Ghana and even outside the country might have heard of one of the biggest religious prayer movements known as MOGPA. Yes, he would not spare the movement as he ‘creatively’ shot a movie with title MOGPA Nyame. Of course, the leader of the movement would not allow for this to pass as the producer was forced to change the title which affected the sales of the movie. Lol, you don’t joke with a ‘man of God’.
Tired already? Don’t be because I am not and he is not relenting on shooting a new movie with the latest trend. Late December 2013, Ghanains were blessed with a hit single from Black Avenue Music artist Joey B again title TONGA and oh my God!!! Here we went with a movie from the same ‘creative’ director and producer Samuel Ofori. This got many talking and ridiculing Kumawood as usual.
Guess what he’s preying on now? Mari Cruz!!! Although I hardly watch foreign soap operas on our TVs, there is one you would hear being discussed everyday especially when you work in an environment that has women. Trust me, don’t call your girlfriend or discuss any pertinent issue with her during that moment as she may not pick up or will not contribute anything meaningful to the discussion. This tells you how far the soap opera telecat by UTV has gained the attention of many Ghanaians. It is therefore not surprising that I woke up this week to a new movie jacket with title ‘Mari Cruz’ and guess whose face I saw on there, ‘Almighty Mr Creative’, Samuel Ofori.
Would you call this an asset or a liability to the creative industry? Well, he could be creative with the fact that he is smart enough to carve something around these popular happenings into movies but………….
Oh yes before I forget, Samuel Ofori once shot a very beautiful and creative movie titled Odo but I guess it never had attention so the need to go in for the trends. Samuel Ofori is of course a fine actor by all standards but…
Do we even care about what one puts together as a movie? I guess all we care about is the money we make right? Posterity will be the best judge but in the mean time, Samuel Ofori, eyes are watching.
Be on the look out as your next movie could be a movie, lol
