Ghanaian actor and filmmaker Fiifi Coleman has dismissed claims that ‘dumsor’ (persistent power outages) was the main cause of the decline of Ghana’s movie industry, particularly Kumawood.
He argued that film sets had generators on standby long before ‘dumsor’ became a major issue, making it unlikely that power outages were solely responsible for the industry’s struggles.
“Way back, even before dumsor, there were always generators on standby on sets, so I don’t know why or how my colleagues in Kumawood are tying dumsor to the decline of the industry.”
Fiifi Coleman
Fiifi Coleman acknowledged Kumasi’s crucial role in Ghana’s film industry, stating that it was once the hub of movies and a major source of entertainment.
He noted that Kumawood movies gained massive popularity, especially among Ghanaians in the diaspora, because they told original Ghanaian stories that people could easily relate to.
However, he pointed out that audiences eventually became fed up with the repetitive storylines, which contributed to the industry’s decline. “A time came when it was the same old storylines, and people became fed up with it,” he explained.
Despite this, the renowned thespian was quick to add that such phases are normal in any industry, but the challenge always lies in how well the industry can bounce back.
He also acknowledged that Kumawood is still active and producing good movies, though at a reduced production rate compared to its peak years.
He cited Kwadwo Nkansah Lil Win’s latest movie, ‘A Country Called Ghana’, as an example of the industry’s ongoing efforts to remain relevant.
“Kumasi still produces some good movies. The production rate has reduced, but the industry is still vibrant.”
Fiifi Coleman
His remarks add to the ongoing conversation about the future of Ghana’s movie industry and the need for originality and innovation to sustain its growth.
Fiifi Coleman on Copycat Storytelling in Ghana Movies
The popular Ghanaian actor and stage play director shed light on some key factors contributing to the decline of Ghana’s movie industry.
The thespian pointed to the excessive adoption of foreign cultures and the failure to tell authentic African stories as major setbacks for the industry compared to the past.
According to him, the sudden boom in filmmaking attracted a wave of individuals, including producers, screenwriters, and cameramen, who prioritized quantity over quality, ultimately harming the industry.
“A time came when people realized that shooting movies was becoming profitable, so everybody became a cameraman, everybody became a soundman, and they were doing that until they messed up the industry. So, there were so many round pegs in square holes.”
Fiifi Coleman
Fiifi Coleman further criticized the industry’s growing tendency to mimic foreign storytelling styles instead of preserving Ghanaian and African narratives.
He also stressed that while there was some level of education about filmmaking at the time, the industry became overcrowded with untrained individuals who lacked the necessary expertise.
This, he believes, led to a decline in the production of high-quality films.
“The storytelling became copy-copy such that some foreign cultures were influencing us. The education that we needed at the time was okay, but everybody came in and wanted to do something, which messed up the whole industry.”
Fiifi Coleman
According to him, the Kumawood industry became repetitive in its storytelling, which contributed to its decline. “Movies from Kumasi became ‘one-way’ at a certain point,” he said.
His remarks suggest that the lack of innovation and diversity in storytelling had a more significant impact on the industry’s downturn than the power crisis.
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