For the first time, Ghana had a film in the Oscar race. In 2018, Azali, directed by Kwabena Gyansah, was selected as Ghana’s first submission for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. It did not make the shortlist, but its selection was a milestone for Ghanaian cinema.
The story and themes
Azali follows Amina, a 14-year-old girl from a village in northern Ghana. To escape a forced marriage, her mother arranges for her to go south, but she is trafficked and ends up in Accra’s slums, working in difficult conditions. The film deals with child trafficking, forced marriage and the migration of young people from northern Ghana to southern cities, where many work as kayayei, or head porters.
Cast, director and the Oscar entry
Asana Alhassan, a young newcomer, played Amina. Her performance was praised by critics.
Kwabena Gyansah is a Ghanaian director and cinematographer. Azali was his feature film debut as director. The film is in Dagbani and other Ghanaian languages, along with English, which helped it qualify for the foreign language category. Ghana formed an Oscar selection committee to choose a film. Azali was chosen as the country’s first entry.
The film won awards at African film festivals and was screened internationally.
A real problem and Ghana's film industry
The film draws on the real experiences of many young people from northern Ghana who migrate to cities in search of work. Ghana’s cinema has struggled for funding, but films like Azali showed the country’s potential for serious, socially engaged filmmaking. Ghana has since submitted other films, building on the precedent Azali set. Kayayei, mostly young women from northern Ghana, carry loads on their heads in Accra and Kumasi markets. Many live in crowded settlements and face exploitation. Azali brought their reality to the screen.
Film history and production
Ghana had a strong film tradition in the colonial and early independence eras, including works by the Ghana Film Industry Corporation. Azali was seen as a sign of revival. The film was made on a modest budget with a cast that included newcomers and experienced Ghanaian actors. Azali did not win an Oscar. It gave Ghana its first place in the queue, and it told a story many Ghanaians walk past every day on the streets of Accra.
