Ghanaian cinema has had its share of romantic dramas and supernatural thrillers. Peter Sedufia set out to make something different. His films are comedies with bright colours, quirky characters and stories rooted in Ghanaian life, from a couple chasing a train in the 1980s to a town divided between two rival groups. With Keteke, Sidechic Gang and Aloe Vera, he became one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary Ghanaian film.
Background and Keteke
Sedufia trained in film and television and worked on various productions before directing his own features. Keteke, released in 2017, follows a couple in 1980s Ghana who miss the train to the wife’s hometown, where she plans to give birth. Adjetey Anang and Lydia Forson starred. Keteke’s 1980s setting, costumes and vintage details gave the film a unique look.
The film was well received in Ghana and screened at festivals. Sidechic Gang, released in 2018, is a comedy about a group of women who are the secret girlfriends of married men.
Aloe Vera and his style
Aloe Vera, released in 2020, tells a love story between a young man and woman from two rival groups, the Aloes and the Veras, who are divided by colour. The film is a fable about prejudice. His films use strong colours, symmetry and stylised sets. His stories mix humour with commentary on society, relationships and division.
He works with both established actors and newcomers. Some of his films have reached audiences on streaming platforms. His films celebrate Ghanaian settings, language and culture. He has encouraged younger Ghanaian filmmakers to experiment with genre and style.
What next and small budgets
Fans look forward to each new project to see what style he will try next. Ghanaian films are usually made with far less money than Hollywood or even big Nollywood productions. Sedufia’s films show how careful design, a strong idea and confident actors can make a modest budget look distinctive on screen. His work sits alongside a revival of Ghanaian cinema after a difficult period for the industry.
Keteke is mostly a story about a couple who missed their train. Sedufia shot it as a period comedy, and that made people pay attention to Ghanaian film again.
