Pretty girls, high fashion, foreign accents, high end life-styles, the been-to flavor; enter An African City.
I truly delight in watching this show. I think the acting from some of the cast is pretty believable. It is beautifuly photographed. I love the color technique, the shooting style is almost cinema verite and I love that. I find the topics touched on very funny, and some quite relate-able, especially the scene at customs which was episode 4. I remember my numerous customs experiences. Please do not make me digress. I love the variety expressed in the looks of the characters. Light skin, dark skin, slender, big boned, natural hair, weave, dreadlocks. Different shades of beauty. Every woman can be beautiful. I love that.
But, why would five beautiful, intelligent, well traveled, promising young women spend so much time discussing men and sex or the lack thereof? I am quite uncomfortable with this message and the image being portrayed to young, innocent and gullible minds of young women in Ghana. It spans across Ghana, but let me speak about what I know. Do our young girls really need this kind of message?
The colors, the fashion, the characters and the appeal in this piece are a perfect ground for an engaging dialectic of what the African woman SHOULD be. What things she should aspire for, what she can achieve by hard work and determination. None of these girls work, but we see them live lavishly. Unless one is from old money, no woman, below 35, in Ghana can live like that off a salary. The economy is simply NOT structured that way. When you live in a developing country, the burden of building the nation is not borne by government alone. You brighten the corner where you are. Your skill, your message, your every action should contribute one way or the other to nation building. Remember that twi national anthem?
"If the nation will be good, it shall come from you and me."
What is the message here? Look fine and a man will ask you out? Once you have a man, you have all you need? It's ok to have sexual relations with all men you date? BBC calls it Africa's answer to sex and the city. Great. Come to Africa. You'll find lots of poverty and corruption and barely efficient governments, but don't worry, you'll also find educated whores.
When we were editing Northern Affair, my editor looked at my notes and said "Leila, you flopped the scenes. they fell in love before they had sex". I asked him "errm, isn't that what it's supposed to be?"
I don't appreciate the manner in which our filmmakers copy such western lifestyles. Let me let you into a secret. There are identifying traits for films from different industries. British cinema has it's traits, so does the French, the German, the Italian, the American. When you watch European films, they have a tone. When you work with a Japanese cinematographer, the look of the piece has a distinct tone. I think American cinematographers are boring, Italian cinematographers are very realistic, use lots of natural lights. Think of their painters; Salvatore Rossa and his style. Identity.
What is the identity of African cinema? Each of the film movements above have their own style and identities. What do we have?
I like the avant garde nature of An African City. If that's its identity, it's ok. I can live with that. But I think the narrative has to change. These girls need to work. Could we go easy on the man-hunt? A woman, IS, even without a man. That is not news. It is very possible. It's very ok to be without a man. Love will come when it comes.
Can the character of the attorney please get a job and take up some strong cases for women? please? Can we meet some more 'ordinary' girls/ladies/women, whatever, who also make up the eclectic nature of Ghana? Didacticism people. What about those girls who've never traveled but made it without a man? What about those girls who's parents raised them on meager fortunes but now are medical doctors? My friend's mother sold kenkey to put her through school. She is a doctor now. My step-sister is professor at Legon, she was seamstress and put herself through college.
How about these girls, well traveled, experience an African city through the eyes of those who are here? I am a well traveled woman. I am a been-to. I have an American accent (almost). I know what I go through when I come home and it's not what is being portrayed here. At least not the things that matter. I could tell you some stories of my experience/clash with culture and tradition at my dads funeral. I fight harder for women and children. I weep for widows and street children. I want to experience this kind of African city through the eyes of these gorgeous girls. Teach women how to make it honestly, surmount challenges, have customer service, do their jobs right, escape rape, the real meaning of equality and feminism.
Here is the directors statement from their website:
Nicole's work in development made her also start yearning for media that rejected the stereotype of the African woman as poor and dire, but as intelligent, modern and classy. With that desire, Nicole set out to create: 'An African City.'I doubt that intelligent, modern and class is synonymous with frequent sex with random men, and lack of independence or an honest work ethic. It's dishonest and it's so ironic. They are so classy and independent yet they spend days seeking wholeness by having a man and sex in their lives? Really? Whether you like it or not, stereotypes exist for a reason. A large number of African women are poor, dire and uneducated. THAT IS THE TRUTH. I think the statement should read: to set out to create An African City in which a woman, braves the challenges and hostilities of living in a male dominated society, finds the courage to carve a niche for herself, and supports the emancipation of other women who lack the ability and voice to do so for themselves.
I read some comments and one mentioned The Number 1 Ladies Detective Agency. Isn't Maa Ramotwe an intelligent, classy, real African woman? or because she doesn't drive a Range Rover or because the series doesn't portray a glossy, unrealistic of the the situation on ground in Africa, it's not good enough? We need to be honest about what we got wrong and proud of what we got right. I understand that this is what the audience wants to see, but really, who has the power? You behind the camera, you with the pen. You do.
We are from a developing country and should not jump the gun. It is not helping us as a nation. It is breeding greed and laziness. Everybody wants to live a fancy lifestyle at all cost. Some don't want to work for it. Either get it at someones expense or spread the legs, these days people are spreading the back part too.
In an African city, you see a woman who gets her children to school and waits for the bus to go to work. She goes back home to cook and clean and starts all over again the next morning.
In an African city, you find a woman who runs a successful business and also keeps a home and raises good children.
In an African city you find a determined young woman who hustles honestly through school, gets a job and helps her parents grow old.
There's more to an African city than sex and money.
A true woman is one with enough courage to live and survive another day. -- Leila Djansi
Watch the episodes here
I watch the episodes every sunday. I do not understand the meaning of your statement that the girls do not work. Nana yaa works at a radio station. Citi fm or joy fm I believe. On the website it says shade works for a bank. But I remember her mentioning a pharmacy company in one episode. Zainab owns her own company, shea butter exportation. Ngozi works for USAID. Makena is the only girl with no job right now but she is a lawyer. When I get together with my girlfriends in osu, talking about jobs is not very fun. And in episode two Nana yaa did not use a sugar daddy to get her own apartment and she did not call her dad either whose in government, she used her savings and went and got loan from a bank. That sounds like a positive message to university girls like me and my friends. For morality i watch for Ngozi! Ngozi is my favorite one!
ReplyDeletethanks for stopping by sweets.
DeleteThe first rule of filmmaking is "show, don't tell". i have never seen any of them work. If they do work, I'd like to SEE an honest representation of that.
You really think it's that easy to get a loan in Ghana? I've been there, there is a lot of red tape to cut through. I'd like to see that. How is she paying off the loan? what's the interest rate?
My review says, we are being shown something that represents an ideal, not a reality. Its like reading a mills and boon novel and thinking that is how real life is when love rolls around. You will be damaged. You are a university student? please separate the reality from the fantasy and guard yourself. You'd be better served if they give you a true representation of what's on ground. Talking about work is boring? sweets, then you might as well say LIFE ITSELF is boring.
Leila is right. With the exception of Zeinab it's hard to tell what the others do. I think they mentioned something about Nana Yaa writing an article in one episode, so one can guess she's in journalism. There needs to be more evidence of these returnees making their contribution to the mother country. Isn't that the topic du jour after all? The way these characters are going, it looks like Ghana would lose nothing having them in the diaspora.
ReplyDeleteI don't even have an issue with their sexual exploits. These are sexually liberated women and as long as they play it safe, that's fine by me. But some scenes are just ridiculous. Like the one with Nana Yaa's boyfriend dropping condoms all around the house. Really!
I struggle to find the core message of An African City. Perhaps if they tried to loosen themselves from SATC's (an extremely well written series btw) apron strings and tell an authentically African story it would improve. As for those ridiculous pronunciations of African names, that's a discussion for another day. To make it to TV, this show needs some serious revision.
Ngum
Criticism, especially constructive once like yours, should always be welcomed by the upcoming and even the current film producers, but the caveat is that, such criticisms can also backfire and rather have a negative effect on the creative abilities of such film makers. The fact that this is a web series tells me that their budget wouldn't be as huge as those of movie producers like you. For such a web series to get mentions from both the BBC and CNN tells me they are doing something RIGHT one way or the other.
ReplyDeleteThey talk about things I personally know about even though I am a MAN, because I know of girls who go through those same situations back home in Ghana. The issue of the SUGAR DADDY for example is and would forever be an issue for our society, where the BIG MEN use their wealth to take all the young girls away from the younger men. Like another commenter said, the morals in this series are subtle and the one watching would have to filter through and pick them out.
The continent has a lot of younger people who are very sexually active, and indeed the same continent has a lot of HIV cases, so why not constantly hammer home the importance of condom use, hence the CONDOM ETIQUETTE episode. I can go on and on, telling you about the positive message in every episode but that will be for another day. Long story short, they are talking about an African City in the way they see it, similarly others would talk about it in a different way. A lot of TRASHY movies a produced every year in Ghana and Nigeria, most of which do not necessarily touch on what you have raised, Leila, including your own movies.
There only 8 episodes for now, and definitely other episodes would follow touching on various aspects of what the African woman goes through on a daily basis. Such criticisms, as early as they may be, would hopefully help shape the course of this amazing web series. They are doing a fantastic job, and they need to be given all the props they deserve alongside the criticisms.
Leila, the episodes are short. Do you want the production team to spend the whole ten minutes talking about how to get a bank loan? If so important to you, talk about bank interest rates in your next film. Hopefully some people will go and see that. Also, I like all Gideon said.
ReplyDeletestorytelling is an art. a skill. that is why great filmmakers and great films can tell a book of 500 pages in a ten minute short film. That is why history spanning a decade can be told in two hours. There is more than enough time to say something that matters. It takes a line, a scene. a moment, a look. The ART of storytelling.
DeleteIn any case to each his own. This review is based on the 8 episodes we've seen. Not the entirety of the piece. 8 episodes, the core plot point should be established in episode 4, whether it's an hour five minutes or 3 hours. If within 10 minutes or 10 pages of a script or screen you have not established your plot point....that is the technique of storytelling and so far, we have seen the theme and that is what I've based this post on.
It may be 13 minutes only, but, each episode is still a complete story with a beginning, middle and end.
You are not getting it. Please go put a lesson on bank interest rates in your next film. Please, please please. We will wait to see that oooooooooooooooooh!!!!
DeleteAnnon. you are very ignorant. how many minutes will it take to shoot a scene where she is asking for a loan ir even say to her friends when they are talking about her interest rate? Leila is a good writer and all she is doing here is reaching. Leila likes to tell stories about what really happens and not the fake westernized stuffs. You don't want to learn about bank loan, but you want to learn how to get a sugar daddy and use condom. AIDS is not only through sex, it is through kissing too and fellatio. There are other STDs that you get from kissing the penis and vagina. so even if you say they encourage the use of condom, what about the other places?
Deleteyou like to hate people who tell you as it is.
nope. You are not getting it, but that's ok. It's not about a bank loan. Don't take it on surface value. I made an example. I am advocating for the series to be a little bit more representative of the issues on ground. I also believe it should be a bit more didactic, other than that, it is damaging to the perspective of young gullible minds. I work with a lot of youth groups and I mentor youth, thus, I have a fair idea of what I'm saying. It can be what it is now, we love it, but, we hope, I hope there will be a bit more honesty to and realism and education to it.
DeleteThanks for stopping by~
Leila, you being a great writer/producer, can help the case of this web series by channelling your views to them directly and am sure they would be very grateful. That's how we help to make something better. This series, if not for anything at all, has shown that there are people out there NOT within mainstream acting, who can really act. At least someone like Nana Mensah (Sade in character) was drafted by Shirley Frimpong Manso into her latest movie. I thought I heard Ngozi talking about the ills of going for a sugar daddy, isn't that something worth learning from? Even in Leila's movies people kiss, so what is the fuss about people kissing in this series? Again, Leila can talk about the issues she deems fit, but others have a different approach. Some people will hate movies starring people like Lilwin or Agya Koo, but others consider that amazing. It's all about the audience and you cannot surely satisfy all persons. Leila will choose to talk about 'DOMESTIC VIOLENCE', but Nicole Amerteifio has a different objective, which she is trying to portray in this web series.
DeleteCan we just enjoy the series without attempting to make into a series that shows every little detail that some think is missing from the lives of African women. Every show can't be everything to everybody and whatever is missing that you want to see depicted, you must create it. This show may not mirror your life and other's, but may mirror another's. It's entertainment and if you're worried about those in the west judging what they see, they are are going to do that regardless, especially if the deem themselves superior to every other human being on the planet. I am not ignorant of Ghana’s weaknesses, but I see its opportunities and potential, and the enthusiasm that emanates from Africans throughout the Diaspora is hopeful. Every individual who takes the steps to redefine the challenges facing Africa into those that will create opportunity's for everyone should be applauded instead of overly criticized.Create the variety you want to see.
DeletePeople also need to be allowed to share opinion and ideas. No man is an island and neither do we live a bubble. If you live a bubble, you'll float off and be carried by all kinds of winds. Correction is important. Sharing ideas is important. When you visit a writers room of TV shows etc, there are fights, arguments. clash of ideas and that is why the shows are good, Because people are passionate. saying things like "create the variety you want to see" will not help anyone. You get praise and you get critique. Ying and yang.
DeleteRemember, Proverbs 11:14, in a multitude of advisers, there is safety.
When I started watching Scandal, I almost stopped at episode two, me and a lot of others because we all agreed, we do not see the point or reality of Olivia Pope and her affair with the American President. being the smart woman that Shonda Rhimes is, what happened? Episode 4, we were teleported into a time and journeyed with the couple and we began to root for them even though the affair was morally deprived. I am NOT againsnt nudity or sex. Put it in context. It's not what you're saying sometimes. It's how you're saying it. I am not asking you to agree with me. I have shared my opinion. You have shared yours. Now, we move on.
ReplyDeleteAgreed, let's move on. I was only pointing out the good sides of the web series, which needs to be applauded, that's all. You are an award-winning writer/producer, so your criticism, when chanced upon by Nicole and her guys would surely help their course, I guess. Now, we move on.
DeleteFirst off, I've not had the priviledge to watch this "web" series. And so my opinion might weigh little, if something at all. But from Leila's opinion and the comment of others like Gideon I deduce one thing: the series is WEBBY - should there ever be such a word. Webby because, well, that's where it resides first of all; on the web, and secondly because it has been able to spark up - I like to say - a conversation between some strong brainers in the country. One a well known master of the game and the others passionate followers of the art. Like I said, I've been un-priviledged not to have seen the series but like with any thing else, there is good and bad. And there are those who sees the good as good and the bad as bad. And obviously those who believe the good is bad and the bad good. So therefore (lol) we might talk about ELECTRICITY ISSUES, ECONOMIC HARDSHIP, the two (there could be more) problems facing the country right now, in our films and I'd say "Tweaaa. Wei nsu y3 adeaa y3 yi ma nipa shw3." It's been there, is there, will be there; differences. Some people love the entertainment part of the movie, some the educative part. some want to be entertained and educated. Some, like my mum, watch it to "forget their problems" - whatever that is called. Yet, we have the "PENHOLDERS" who'd be in control and SPOONFEED us and the directors who GO WITH THE FLOW. VIEWER CHOICE DIRECTOR'S, I call them. To reiterate, DIFFERENCES HAVE ALWAYS BEEN THERE, IS ALWAYS THERE, WILL ALWAYS BE THERE. It's what spices up life - and our industry. Gracias.
ReplyDeleteLeila I think your feedback is helpful, and delivered with a constructive spirit. Ayeekoo. It's important that we support artistic creative efforts, and it's also important we suggest ways that creative efforts can be made even stronger. Personally what I love best about an African city are the high production values and the fashion. I LOVE the fashion. I also LOVE that the women are sexually confident.
ReplyDeleteWell said Leila. What Nicole has done is inspiring. More young women need to get behind the cameras and tell our story. As unrealistic as we know 'an african City' to be we all buy into the fantasy set by the western media (satc, kardashians et al.) and have claimed our piece of the pie, hence the accolades by CNN and BBC. I don't believe the producer is burdened with the moral obligation to tell a different story, that's a call for those of us who know better to do better; where the measure of success will not be a wink from the large international media community but morally sound youth, stronger family units and an unshakable progressive society. There are many elements of the series I can personally relate to: I'm a returnee and fierce fashionista. Had this series been aired when I was trying to find my footing , I would probably be ruined. if we know what's wrong and where this is heading how do we fix it?
ReplyDeleteYou know what I find very funny in this series? according to the directors statement, she wants to show that African women are not poor and dire. Hello.... the girls being shown here are FROM WESTERN COUNTRIES. educated by the white man, lived in the white man's country, have his accent. Are they saying that then that for an African woman to not be poor and dire she must have western influence? Technically, these girls are white girls, expatriates, living in Africa, can't even speak the language and look down on their own, their noses in the air, whining about everything. Which is why I say let them show other African women who have not traveled and made it, all by themselves, living at home. until then, the plot defeats the purpose. I'm surprised we're here giving props to CNN and BBC coverage, views expressed by the writer and not the outfit. Publicity. Again, looking to the white-man for endorsement.
ReplyDeleteI am back again Leila. I couldn't just allow this one to go without any rebuttal. Nicole clearly said during her BBC Trending interview that she wanted to create an African version of Sex in the City, so that’s what she's doing. The fact that the actresses have been domiciled outside Africa for a very long time does not make them less African. You’re also domiciled in the US right, how about that. Tell me you have never whined about anything ever since you got home. That is bound to happen, given that you and I live in Europe and the US, where most things are well structured. You were complaining about how difficult it is to get a bank loan in Ghana right, isn’t that some whining of a sort. I was in Ghana about a month ago, and indeed I complained about a lot of issues including the water rationing and power outages (DUM SO, DUM SO). The same problems that existed when I was leaving Ghana 4 years ago are still existent today. It’s a clear case of leadership failure, but that would have to be discussed on another platform. Leila, tell me you were NEVER excited when the Nigerian woman mentioned your movie (SINKING SAND) as a must watch movie on CNN’s African Voices (a white man’s platform as well)? I was happy hearing that because our movies are getting international recognition, something you film producers DIE for. So you see, as you point your index finger at someone, your other fingers point back at you. I keep rebutting your views because you’re being too judgemental of the hard work these guys are putting in.
DeleteHey Gideon!! lol.
DeleteWhen Sinking Sands got a mention, I was excited, but i was so frightened too. I was frightened people will go watch it and go like huh? this? really? If it were that good, I should have won an oscar. lol!! (just kidding)
I am not being judgmental at all. Did you read where I said "I love the show'? "I'll invest in the show'? You can't avoid criticism. Even 12 years a slave got critic. Citizen kane got critique. stop zoning in on what I don't like. say something about what I said I like too.
I said, the show wants to show that African women, are not all poor, dire and look haggard.
and I say, then, introduce some women who have not been adulterated by the west! Show me characters that are not poor, not dire, don't look haggard and achieved all of that by living at home, in Africa.
Someone can argue that "these girls are not dire nor poor because they are cultured by the white man". If anything, I am defending the the cause of the show. That they stick to the subject. show me an African woman who is not tied to the apron strings of western civilization.
If anything, Nicole has created a show that is sparking debate and that means, she had done something amazing. If it were not a good enough show, you won't be here.
Hi Leila, it's me again. Can't just stop right..lol. Am only coming back because this debate is healthy and without any malice. I do agree with you that i also need to focus a lil bit more on the positives you raised, my bad. By the way most of your questions will be answered for sure if you read the transcript of Nicole's interview with CNN's African Voices here: http://edition.cnn.com/2014/04/18/world/africa/ghana-african-city/. I have tried to summarize it all in another reply down this page. It's very insightful, please have a read and tell me what you think.
DeleteLeila, as an artist you should now better. Every art form has its audience, as much as one may appreciate Picasso, Matisse, I don't, as much as many african love their witchcraft, superstitious movies, I don't or even bollywood movies, I may not. But be it known that every art form has its audience and they are producing for an intended audience. In one of your recent writeups you talked about John Dumelo reaching the 1,000,000 mark, and of the quality of those likes. From my personal experience and having watched An African City and movies in which John has featured in, I will through my money behind the cast of An African City and not John. That said the appeal differs,and the purpose and message being sent differs.
ReplyDeleteFor being an artist you are very naive in your outlook. The target audience may not be 20% Ghanaians and the diaspora. Having watched your movies you have a bigger short coming, where your stories are told not with an african perspective but a western one.
Finally, I will add that I am a consumer who puts my money where I choose it to be. As much as I would pay $5 per web series to support those ladies. I would also pay money to watch your movies, why? To promote the good you all bring to the industry. And just as you feel the series is not representative of the full society, you can attempt creating a show to do that, but be mindful of the fact that what sells is not the everyday mundane story but embellishments.
Just as it is hard to get a visa to travel to the USA, it is hard to get a loan, that doesn't mean no one gets a loan.
I bet you like the show friends, have you thought of how possible it would be for a barrister to live in a high rise in Manhattan with such a life style? I am waiting for your critique?
this post has double standard written all over it. I think you also need to understand that, as there are varying audiences so are there varying opinions. so we agree to disagree. i love the show, heck i'll invest in it, but in my opinion, the narrative needs to change.
Deleteumm, i've never watched friends but i can guarantee you lawyers live the fanciest lifestyles in America. they need to put up and keep up appearances. ain't no one hiring a broke attorney. And, any one who understands American culture KNOWS that. back to my post.... familiar culture.
It is the love for embellishments that has put Africa where it is now. You vote for who lies the most. You are drawn to people who live fancy lifestyles, people with wealth and that is why we have this high level of corruption. Same thing Victoria Hammah said and lost her job. She spoke the truth. When you have money, you can control people. so when you see the fantasy displayed in the show, you are drawn to it. It's a sign of insecurity. I love the show, but it needs to be a little bit more proud of the real African City.
loving the debates by the way. Happy Easter guys!!
ReplyDeleteHappy Easter Leila! Hope you are having a blast. Well, I am enjoying the debate this Easter evening. I like the way you think. Keep on posting hot topics like these! Stay blessed. Big hug Nancy :-)
Delete"You'll find lots of poverty and corruption and barely efficient governments, but don't worry, you'll also find educated whores." Goodness me! "Educated WHORES". That's my problem with 2nd-wave feminists, they look down on women who want to explore their sexuality and see it as weakness. I have other issues with your post which I think others have addressed but my problem is with the use of the term "whore". Very much a patriarchal construct because the same standards are never applied on men.
ReplyDelete"It's ok to have sexual relations with all men you date?" Why NOT?!! Who makes the rules? Can they not choose to have sex with men they don't even date? I think you need to review whether you're really advancing feminist values when you can even ask questions like that.
I agree with you on the elitism side though. Bye.
hmmmm. I dunno. sexual libertarian-ism is something i find very hard to come to terms with. I just feel it devalues the sanctity of sex.
DeleteJerome, quick question. answer me honestly. Assuming your wife wants to explore with other men. or your girlfriend wants to explore with other men or women. will you be ok with that? since we're talking exploration of sexual freedom and all? Or maybe join a sex club? swingers etc...
Deleteand, since you can talk to me here, refrain from passing those comments about me on twitter. I did not call the characters educated whores. Maybe it was inferred. I made an example of what will most likely be said by lets say... an expat working in some oil field in Obuasi hanging out in a bar having a beer with his friends. If you care to know, they actually do say that. 'oh be careful of HIV, you should find one those university girls, they'll probably be clean. Sit in a airline lounge en-route to Africa and eavesdrop. You'll hear a lot. Comes in handy when you write.
DeleteAnd yes, I make films about women bridging the gap. But bridging it via hard work. Not sexual favors. there's more to feminism than being a sexual pawn of the very man you have fought so hard to be an equal of. Advancing women rights in economic, politics, social status, education, employment.
To comment 1: Okay. It's a matter of different opinions and values.
DeleteTo comment 2: My wife or girlfriend is supposed to be faithful to me as I am supposed to be faithful to her. I do not dictate for anyone else.
To comment 3: No Twitter? Cool. You did use the phrase though, I showed the quote. What if a woman chooses to sleep around for pleasure not for favours? And who are we to choose the path a woman takes in overcoming this patriarchal society? There's more to feminism. Yes, there is. And it's not just about advancement. It's about liberation as well.
I love An African City and I can't wait for tomorrow to watch episode 9. We can't have one same story about Africa all the time. Lets learn to support and appreciate. I think you also have a fake accent so girl enough of the shade.
ReplyDeleteshades good. the sun burns.
DeleteEasy! Going through all the comments and your replies I only see one thing. Malice!!! Leila you need to take a chill pill. Maybe you should just watch and learn.
ReplyDeleteA big shame on you. Holy Easter sunday, you need to bow your head in shame coming here to throw dust in our faces. Point out one sentence in which Leila has been malicious? You scrolled down all the way from those even clearly insulting her and, you call her post malicious? I am quite baffled at how someone who makes a malicious comment will say they want to sponsor and even wish you happy Easter. How many of our filmmakers bother to engage us or even educate us as much as Leila does?
DeleteYou are a hater. Say your name, list your family tree if you have one. Allow Leila Djansi peace on her own blog.
Leila, use the delete button. It takes one person and they'll all show up here with they cowardly comments. Let me go to mass and pray for you my sister, you need to be covered in the blood from all the legions of the devil.
Mary Dempsey
We surely have to give some props to Leila for engaging us because it's her blog and she can choose not to even respond to us or even delete those comments, BUT you don't build a solid fan base by doing that. Once you put your views out there, certainly you should have that thick skin to stomach all kinds of replies (good or bad).
DeleteHey Leila, am enjoying this debate, so I cannot retire from commenting..lol. Well I just read a transcript (http://edition.cnn.com/2014/04/18/world/africa/ghana-african-city/) of Nicole's interview with CNN's African Voices and it was really insightful. After reading the transcript, a lot of your questions would certainly be answered, I can assure you of that. I'll summarize it all for you.
ReplyDeleteShe was asked about how the show came about. Her answer and typically so was that, she wanted to show a more glamorous, intelligent and beautiful part of Africa instead of the poverty and disease.
A question was asked as to why she decided to touch on very sensitive topics like sex given that Africans are very conservative. Her reply was, she knew that but still wanted to push the boundaries, a reason why she decided to do a web series and not a TV series (very intelligent in my opinion).
Another question was that African women cannot really relate to this show, but her PRICELESS answer was 'Do we all have to be burned-out chemistry teachers with cancer to relate to "Breaking Bad"?' The answer is quite clear right.
Another question was that the lives of the women in the show revolve around men. Her answer was that their lives do not revolve around men, but the show revolves around the part of their lives that does. Like I said earlier, there subtle things to learn from this show, for example according to her, Episode 6 touched on the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act while an upcoming episode 9 brings up training female cooperatives and fighting the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). This should make Leila happy now, hopefully.
She was also asked about the most misleading misunderstanding about the show. Her answer was she wanted the show to start many conversations, for example, "Is this African?" She asks what is African OR what is African "enough"? She then concludes that in a world where you have African immigrants who are born and raised elsewhere, are they no longer African? Who decides? I totally agree with her.
From your point of view, having a smelly poop (which is normal by the way) makes one stupid. What logic is this!!! Throwing condoms around is certainly stupid, but how can you then draw the conclusion that it's intended to make those local guys look stupid, very mind-boggling. So you didn't see the Parliamentarians misbehaving, the girls ignoring them, which led to a letter from the IRS being sent to them. Can't you get the logic here, that in Ghana, you ought to kowtow to the big men else face witch-hunting...and this happen on a daily basis in Ghana and other parts of Africa. Am not sure anybody would force you to love the show, but we ought to be factual in our commentary. Leila, even though a critic, loves the show by the way.
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ReplyDeleteGreat review by the way. The problem is that, the show is unrealistic. The type of woman she is portraying is definitely not as casual about sex and sleeping with any ole dude slinging a penis her direction. More importantly, if she is seeking to break stereotypes and show "glamorous Africa", this is probably the most vile view of the counter-stereotype. There is no balance in the characters and ultimately shows her or the shows lack of depth and knowledge about true African/Ghanaian culture of those who have lived and been educated abroad. Peace.
ReplyDeleteHello Leila! I'm a huge fan and I was excited to read your thoughts on An African City. I agree with you for the most part, that the actors are believable... the story is well written, etc etc. About the whole morality thing, well yes I think these girls are a bit too liberal about sex. For such educated girls as they are being portrayed, their morals seem to be a bit loose. Don't get me wrong over here, I am well aware that in Ghana we treat the subject of premarital sex from a hypocritical pov, while a majority of people engage in it. It is great, super even that they are promoting the use of condoms but the manner in which it is done is where the problem lies. I find it hard to believe that educated member of Parliament responsible for some form of sex education would tell people they look too clean to have The Monster. I highly doubt as well that a Ghanaian group of girlfriends would gasp in shock that a fellow girlfriend hasn't had sex with a mere male friend(I think that would hold for young women from a lot of other African countries)
ReplyDeleteWe have a lot of stories to tell as young African women, and if sex is the direction she'd like to go, I believe it can be done in a better way.
Btw, I do love AAC, Sade is favorite character because every group of girlfriends has a Sade!! Love you miss Nana!!( in case she's reading this)
I take issue with Djansi's article both technically and ideologically but I certainly agree with aspects of her critique particularly as it relates to the reduction of empowered women to their purses and vaginas. I think the comments that some of y'all have made here are thought-provoking. However, I also think that it is possible to categorically state that the show is shitty and a poor representation of the range of returnees' experiences. Critically, the videography might be aesthetically pleasing but the plot is shot and the dialogue is mediocre, unnatural and simple-minded. If these are intelligent, empowered women, it would be wonderful to see a narrative that does not merely amount to 10-15 minutes of elitism, sexual activity and bellyaching. Almost all of the characters lack depth (perhaps an unfair accusation since the show as yet has 10 episodes) and I agree that Sade, despite her lousy wardrobe and ugly weaves, might be the most interesting character so far. The one that whines about feminism and shea butter only seems to care about the absence of lemons in her coke and the christian doesn't seem to offer anything beyond superficial cliches about sex and relationships and on and on. Yeah, the show is 12 minutes on average but I've seen ads convey more depth and relevancy in three minutes than this show manages to do in 12 minutes. I suspect this is not because the production team is incapable but instead due to intellectual laziness, shoddy work ethic, unsophisticated enquiry and uncritical supplication at the altar of Afropolitanism. Overall,
ReplyDeleteWell Leila, most ghanaians girls are living this kind of life but will never be open about it. I live in the states and have been for a very long time and I must say when I come I experience alot of these issues just that i dont open my legs to anyone. The characters depict different kinds of women. One likes rich married men. Three of them looking for a casual relationship. and theres the other girl who is more careful than the rest. Uhm i dont know about you but this is pretty common in ghana. Most ghanaian women talk about men and their relationship issues whenever they meet up. I like how on several occasions they talk about condom usage and protecting oneself whiles being sexually active. She cannot capture everything there is in these short episodes. She's just using her experiences and that of her friends to write this. And theres nothing wrong with that. Maybe you should capture all the stuff you're criticizing her for in your movies. By the way I love your movies. I think you're probably the best there is in Ghana.
ReplyDeleteThe creator said she set out to do an African version of sex in the city. I watch a couple episodes today and in sex in the city there were new men every week. She is following a model and she has the right to do so. Thats all.
ReplyDeleteOK my comment is soo late.After watching the last episode I just had to..lol! This review is very much on point I have a lot of pet peeves but I love this show...The Fashion & decor are on point. The concept - The lives of 5 Returnees - Brilliant. But the execution is nothing to write home about.. I think the creators/producers of the show are stuck in their whole little bubble. First off, all the actress are returnees. OK no wahala. It is her choice. Can we get the pronunciations of names right? I will love to see this show transition from Web to TV..The story lines and characters need more depth especially since there is a potential content about the lives of 5 Fab returnees. Do we need an African SATC?? I know women love to talk about the men in their lives..but OK.These ladies have other things going for them. This show has made a lot of waves thanks to Social Media hence an opportunity to influence society in a positive way..E.g. Restaurant scene in the last episode was a missed opportunity to educate the public about the importance of using condoms! Take a cue from MTV's Shuga!
ReplyDeleteWhether or not we agree with the themes and suggestions made on the show, art is freedom of expression so we have to give Nicole A. and her cast that right. There are a lot of Ghanaians, and Africans who will relate to the stories in AAC from experience (kids from privileged families, etc) and some others who will admire the fancy lifestyles they portray as a form of escapism. Others still may enjoy the educational tangent of the show. We must understand where people are coming from, and the fact that we are all different. We need to show more diversity in our art, which is why girls like you (Leila) and Nicole exist. Reading this post reminds me of the debate between Spike Lee and Tyler Perry on movie formats. Both radically different filmmakers, who have made great accomplishments in cinema.
ReplyDeleteI take my hat off to Nicole and her team and commend their effort. I do think the writing on the show needs some work though, from a technical perspective, and I do agree with Leila's point on "show don't tell." I felt that there was a lot of "lecturing" within the show, that made it get boring in some areas. But I still commend their effort; they just need to grow some more and have some good mentorship with regards to the screenwriting.
Leila, thanks for your post. It generated a lot of healthy debate, which is good for growth. Your voice is appreciated.
I invite you all into my world:
www.benhinson.com
www.facebook.com/OfficialBenHinson
Well said and very diplomatically put, Ben! Couldn't agree more!
ReplyDeleteLeila, I agree with most of your critique of this show. I cringed the first time I saw an episode and haven't been able to watch another one, even though I know the producer personally.
ReplyDeleteI am surprised BBC, CNN, BET and other international media houses seem enthralled by it. It may be a function of good PR by the producers.
Nevertheless, the writers and producers are justified in telling their story--unrealistic as it may be. But it will be dangerous for this to become representative of all of us women returnees.
Here is another great review I found (no, I am not the author). http://thehibiscusnotes.blogspot.com/2014/04/living-single-in-africa.html
I have to say that I agree with Ben Hinson's comment. I watched a few episodes of the show and I LOVE it! There are all kinds of segments in Ghana (Accra to be specific), and we have to stop hating on those of us who try to produce things that are different. There are ALOT of people who will relate to the show's content, and it is a refreshing change from all the doom and gloom images these white folks (and some of us) showcase of Africa. There is alot of room for growth on the show like Ben said, so hopefully season 2 will take the show to even greater heights! Let's get behind them and support them!
ReplyDeleteI think Ben Hinson put it best: "there are alot of people who will relate to the show." I will add that most of the folks in Ghana and in the diaspora/abroad that will love this show are economically empowered, and I think that is a smart marketing strategy, perhaps at the expense of a few "moral issues" as Leila put it. The show embodies alot of Western liberal values, which explains why publications like the BBC, Huff Post and CNN are pushing it. I personally enjoyed a few episodes, and I think the Sade character is hot! At the end of the day, art is art and we have to respect other people's perspectives as Ben said. I have not seen any episodes from season 2, have you guys watched any? Thoughts?
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