Idris Elba will film part of the movie he is directing in Ghana this December.
By Helena Olori
Ghana is fast becoming a centre of attraction for international filmmakers, as Golden Globe winning actor, Idris Elba, has announced plans to build a world class film studio in the Black Gold nation, an initiative aimed at boosting Ghana’s Film production significantly.
Elba disclosed this during a courtesy visit to President Nana Akufo-Addo at the Jubilee House in Accra; noting that lack of facilities encumbers film-making in Africa.
Reiterating the need for enabling policy for the ground work, Elba said; “The National Film Authority has done the work and has put together a comprehensive plan to propel Ghana into the forefront. It needs to be robust. It needs to be competitive to the rest of the world. We believe for sure, and I know you believe it’s a legacy that you want to leave behind, that Ghana should step up to start attracting those filmmakers.”
The Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom star also revealed he will begin pre-production on a movie he is directing in August, and part of it filmed in Ghana by December. This, he said, will announce to the world that Ghana is ready for business. Recall that Girls Trip 2 is also set to be filmed in Ghana.
The British actor of Ghanaian descent has, however, faced some criticisms for seemingly neglecting his Sierra Leonean heritage, to which he responded on Twitter “…progress for one is progress for all.”