How International Film Critics View African Films

A scene in Kwaw Ansah's 'Love Brewed In The African Pot.'

Africa is a large continent with diverse rich culture, heritage, and customs which play an important role in the lives of the people. The continent’s music, art, literature, and cultural practices have continued to attract interest throughout the world.

Despite the continent's great writers and filmmakers, it is not easy for international film critics to accept and proclaim an African film as the best to show to the world like a Hollywood movie. Some say the stories of African films are not good but they forget to acknowledge the fact that Africa's films reflect on the lives of its people, clans, tribes, culture, and heritage.

One can't know or understand the culture of other people when you don't learn about the people. Lack of knowledge about the African culture has continued to underestimate African films making the film industry to encounter many problems including international acceptance. Nevertheless, without full support from the West, Africa films are gradually making it to the top.

"Man on the Ground" is a South African film, based on true events. It was about a Mozambican man, Ernesto Alfabeto Nhamuava, set ablaze and burnt to death. The film is among some of the latest African films nominated in the African Movie Academy Awards. The sad story took place at Cyril Ramaphosa informal settlement on the East Rand in 2008 when the country experienced xenophobia.

Kwaw Ansah, a Ghanaian film producer, and director Africa is proud of

The director of the film Akim Omotoso, has also been nominated as Best Director. Best actor, best supporting actor, best editing, best cinematography and best sound are other nominations. Other nominated films are "Otelo Burning, Dear Mandela and the State of Violence."

The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) which funded the films said the foundation is very proud of all South African films. Even though African films are painstakingly reaching international level, time will tell when it will gain popularity and recognition just like the African rhythm which is now dominating European music.

“Love Brewed in the African Pot,” a film directed by Kwaw Ansah, in 1980, which gained international recognition didn’t only win an award but also reviewed by ‘The New York Times.’