It’s wrong to describe Kumawood movies as 'trash' – FIPAG PRO

Public Relations Officer of Film Producers Association of Ghana, Michael Kwaku Ola opines that it is harsh for anybody to describe movies produced from Kumasi as trash.

His comment comes on the back of an assertion by film director, Isaac Rockson that movies from that sector of the country are of less quality. According to Mr. Rockson, the producers are flooding the market with “trash” and need not to be taken seriously.

But speaking on Hitz FM’s Daybreak Hitz, Thursday, Ola said although some of the works are substandard, “trash” is not the best of words to describe the productions.

He told the host, KMJ that even the substandard movies receive patronage because some people enjoy watching them.

“Every industry has got bad movies, but I will not agree with anybody describing a movie as trash. That is too harsh. Even Nigeria has terrible movies. If you don’t understand the dynamism of our sales, you might make some statements that people will just come out and be hitting at you,” he said.

“We’ve not really got to a point where critics matter in our works anymore because the critics have their own angle and the people who buy have theirs,” he added.

Movies from Kumasi have received several backlashes from some critics but has also been labeled as the burgeoning movie industry in Ghana by others.

Award-winning movie producer, Shirley Frimpong-Manso once described it as a great initiative.

President Mahama in August 2015 equally praised Kumasi movie producers for improving on their productions.

“I watch Ghanaian movies as well as some very good Nigerian movies. I like John Dumelo and Lil Win, who will make you laugh so well just as Agya Koo and Kyeiwaa. The likes of Emelia Brobbey, Jackie Appiah, and the rest are doing very well… I like some of the films Shirley Frimpong Manso has produced. She is an exceptional producer… When we are traveling we only watch Ghanaian and Nigerian movies on the plane considering that you are traveling for about seven or eight hours, so you need something to make you feel relaxed,” the president said on Uniq FM.