Filmography
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King Ampaw | |
|---|---|
| Born | 25 July 1940 Kukurantumi, Eastern Region, Ghana |
| Nationality | Ghanaian |
| Citizenship | Ghanaian |
| Alma mater | Hochschule für Fernsehen und Film München (HFF Munich) |
| Occupation(s) | Actor, filmmaker, producer |
| Years active | 1972–present |
| Notable work | They Call it Love (1972) |
King Ampaw {also known as King Boama Darko Ampaw [1] ) is a Ghanaian filmmaker and actor born in Kukurantumi in the Eastern Region of Ghana. He is known for starring as the second lead role with the late Hollywood actor, Klaus Kinski in Werner Herzog's sensational film Cobra Verde (1987) which he also co-produced. [2] He also co-produced the film African Timber (1989) directed by Peter F. Bringmann. [3]
His early life was steeped in the rich cultural traditions of his homeland, which later influenced his work in film. Ampaw pursued his education in Europe, where he studied at the prestigious Academy of Film in Berlin, Germany. This academic background provided him with a solid foundation in film theory and practice, shaping his distinctive approach to filmmaking [4] [5]
King Ampaw was born on 25 July 1940 in Kukurantumi in the Eastern Region of Ghana. He attended the Academy of Film in Potsdam, Germany in 1965. In 1966 he also enrolled at the Academy of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna, Austria and the Hochschule für Fernsehen und Film München, Germany (HFF Munich) from 1967 to 1972 where he studied with Werner Herzog and Wim Wenders. He graduated as a film director with his first film They Call it Love. [2]
On his return to Ghana, he became a senior director at the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) from 1979 to 1982 when he left GBC to form his own film company, Afro movies Ltd. [2] King Ampaw wrote, directed and produced his own films such as Kukurantumi, Road to Accra (1983), Juju (1985) and No Time to Die (2006). [6] Most of his films have been co-funded with his company Afromovies Ltd and international agencies and governments such as No Time to Die which was funded by the European Union and the French Government. [7] His films have been praised internationally and have won numerous awards including the Film Critics Award for Kukurantumi, Road to Accra at FESPACO, the Input Film Award for Juju in Czech Republic and the Talifa Film Festival Award in Spain for No Time to Die.
He was the first Filmmaker to be given an Honorary Award at the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) in Nigeria. [8] At the 2012 NAFTI Film Lectures, he was honoured for his immense contribution to the film industry and cross-cultural collaborations between Ghana and Germany. [9] He also received another Lifetime Achievement Award in 2013 at the Accra International Film Festival. [10] He is a founding member of FEPACI (African Filmmakers’ Union), FESPACO, the Ghana Academy of Film and Television Arts (GAFTA) and the Directors’ Guild of Ghana (DGG). [2]
King Ampaw is currently working on a film titled "The Son and Sun of Africa", which is about the life of the legendary Pan-Africanist, Kwame Nkrumah which will be his last film, to complete his creative works. [2] [9]
Ampaw's films are known for their unique blend of African storytelling with European cinematic techniques. His work often explores themes of identity, tradition, and the intersection of African and Western cultures. Ampaw is particularly renowned for his ability to capture the nuances of Ghanaian life, presenting them in a way that resonates with both local and international audiences. His films are celebrated for their humor, social commentary, and the use of non-professional actors, which adds an authentic touch to his narratives [11] [12]
King Ampaw's contributions to African cinema are exemplified by his notable works, including No Time to Die and Kukurantumi: The Road to Accra. These films have not only been critically acclaimed but have also been instrumental in putting Ghanaian cinema on the global map. Kukurantumi: The Road to Accra, in particular, is considered a landmark in African filmmaking, showcasing the everyday struggles and resilience of the Ghanaian people. Ampaw's films have been screened at numerous international film festivals, earning him a reputation as a leading voice in African cinema [13] [14]
Beyond his work as a filmmaker, King Ampaw has made significant contributions to the broader African film industry. He has been involved in various initiatives aimed at promoting African cinema, including serving as a mentor to young filmmakers across the continent. Ampaw has also played a key role in the establishment of film institutions in Ghana, which have provided training and resources for emerging filmmakers. His efforts have helped to nurture a new generation of African filmmakers who continue to push the boundaries of the medium [15] [16]
King Ampaw's legacy in the film industry is marked by his pioneering work and his commitment to telling authentic African stories. He has received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to cinema, both in Ghana and internationally. His films continue to be studied and celebrated for their artistic and cultural significance. As one of the foremost figures in African cinema, Ampaw's influence extends beyond his own body of work, inspiring filmmakers across the continent to embrace their cultural heritage in their storytelling [17] [18]
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In 2007, King Ampaw was awarded "Best Actor award at the 4th African Film Festival of Tarifa in Spain. [19] He presented during the 20th anniversary of the "Pan-African Film and Arts Festival in Georgia, Atlanta, in 2008. [19] He won The Film Critics Award for Kukurantumi at Fespaco in Ouagadougou and Input Film Award for Nana Akoto in Czechoslovakia [19] He is also the winner of Honorary Award at an edition of the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA), in Nigeria. [19] Additionally, he was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Accra International Film Festival (AIFF) in 2013. [19]
He is married with two sons. [8]
The Panafrican Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou is a film festival in Burkina Faso, held biennially in Ouagadougou, where the organization is based. It accepts for competition only films by African filmmakers and chiefly produced in Africa. FESPACO is scheduled in March every second year, two weeks after the last Saturday of February. Its opening night is held in the Stade du 4-Août, the national stadium.
Cinema of Africa covers both the history and present of the making or screening of films on the African continent, and also refers to the persons involved in this form of audiovisual culture. It dates back to the early 20th century, when film reels were the primary cinematic technology in use. As there are more than 50 countries with audiovisual traditions, there is no one single 'African cinema'. Both historically and culturally, there are major regional differences between North African and sub-Saharan cinemas, and between the cinemas of different countries.
Joseph van Vicker, better known as Van Vicker, is a Ghanaian actor, movie director and humanitarian. He is the chief executive officer of Sky + Orange production, a film production house. Van Vicker received two nominations for "Best Actor in a Leading Role" and "Best Upcoming Actor" at the Africa Movie Academy Awards in 2008.
Jackie Appiah is a Canadian-born Ghanaian actress. For her work as an actress, she has received several awards and nominations, including the awards for Best Actress in a Leading Role at the 2010 Africa Movie Academy Awards; and Best Actress in a Supporting Role at the Africa Movie Academy Awards in 2007. She received two nominations for Best Actress in a Leading Role and Best Upcoming Actress at the Africa Movie Academy Awards in 2008. Glitz Africa Honors Her with Excellence in Creative Art Award at Ghana Women of the Year Honors 2023. She is a movie producer, fashion model and a humanitarian.
Kwaw Paintsil Ansah is a Ghanaian film-maker, whose work as writer, director or producer includes Love Brewed in the African Pot in 1980 and Heritage Africa in 1989. His first feature, Love Brewed in the African Pot, earned immediate popular and critical acclaim throughout English-speaking Africa. Despite all the awards and the success, it would be nearly 10 years before Ansah could complete his next major film project, the ambitious Heritage Africa (1989). Yet again, the film was widely acclaimed and awarded. Since then, Ansah has produced other films, including Harvest at 17 (1994), Crossroads of People, Crossroads of Trade (1994) and The Golden Stool, the Soul of the Asantes (2000). Ansah is a crusader for African filmmaking and dramatic art, working ceaselessly for improved funding and distribution of African films within Africa. He has been chairman of FEPACI and a leader in the direction of FESPACO. In 1998, Ansah was awarded the Acrag Prize, the Living Legend Award for Contribution to the Arts of Ghana.
The Ghana Academy of Film and Television Arts (GAFTA) is a private, professional organization dedicated to the advancement of excellence in the art, craft and science of the motion picture industry — film, television and new media. The Academy is made up of the following guilds and associations: Directors Guild of Ghana (DGG), Cinematographers Guild of Ghana (CGG), Art Directors' and Designers' Guild of Ghana (ADGG), Animator's Association of Ghana (AAG), Screen Writers Guild of Ghana (SWGG), Film and Television Production Facilitators Guild of Ghana (FTPFGG), Producers Guild of Ghana (PGG), Motion Picture Sound Guild of Ghana (MPSGG) and Screen Editors Guild of Ghana (SEGG).
Christian Tsui Hesse, popularly known as Chris Hesse is a Ghanaian cinematographer, filmmaker, film administrator, photographer and Presbyterian minister who is known for his cinematography in several award-winning films such as the critically acclaimed Love Brewed in the African Pot (1980) and Heritage Africa (1989). He was the personal cinematographer of Ghana's first President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah. Chris Hesse helped to document the visual history of the political leadership and development of the country. He also worked for the United Nations, serving as a photographer, documenting the Congo crisis in 1960.
Cinema of Ghana also known as the Ghana Film Industry nicknamed Ghallywood, began when early film making was first introduced to the British colony of Gold Coast in 1923. At the time only affluent people could see the films, especially the colonial master of Gold Coast. In the 1950s, film making in Ghana began to increase. Cinemas were the primary venue for watching films until home video became more popular. The movie industry has no official name as yet since consultations and engagements with stakeholders has been ongoing when a petition was sent to the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture which suspended the use of the name Black Star Films.
Grace Nortey is a Ghanaian actress who has played several lead roles on Ghanaian television. She has been active in the film, theater, and drama industries for over five decades and is considered as one of the veterans of Ghanaian theatre and drama.
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No Time To Die is a 2006 Ghanaian comic and romantic movie produced by Wolfgang Panzer, a German, writer and director and co-produced by King Ampaw, an award-winning Ghanaian director and actor. The movie was directed by King Ampaw. The music was composed by Ben Michael Mankhamba a Malawian guitarist, singer, songwriter, composer. The costumes were designed by Lisa Meier. It was produced in 2006 in Ghana and Germany. It is an English speaking movie which lasts for 95 minutes. It was selected in December 2016 at the African Diaspora International Film Festival (ADIFF) in New York.
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