Two nights ago, after hours of working on laptops, my brother and I decided to rest our tired bodies by watching a movie. Our film of choice was the much talked about Heart of Men and I must confess that, due to all the talk about it being soft porn, I was really anxious to see the movie and, draw my own conclusions.
So, we started the movie and, boy Oh boy…. We couldn’t take our eyes off till we finished watching both parts (1&2). What a movie! Could you believe that several minutes after seeing the crack and some part of Majid Michel’s butt, my brother had to tell me to shut my mouth which was gaping in amazement? Yes oo….
But on a serious note, the Venus Movie Production which was directed by Frank Rajah Arase proved that Ghanaian movies have finally found “it”. Hasn’t it been a while since one could actually watch a movie and be unsure of its ending?
Yet, there were a few things that didn’t match up in my opinion. Like, wouldn’t it have been a thrill if John Dumelo’s character had appeared at the latter part of the movie instead of immediately after he was shot? That would have been brought in an intelligent element of surprise.
And why did Nadia Buari’s character tell that of John Dumelo that Majid Michel’s character was at Accra-Ghana when, the former characters were only at the Northern Region and not another country?
One question that I can’t seem to answer is this: Since we all watch Western movies which have more steamy scenes than this movie, why are people complaining and calling the actors and actresses porn stars? No one has called Sharon Stone a porn star for Basic Instinct, or Halle Berry a slut for that steamy scene with Billy Bob Thornton in Monster’s Ball.
Come on! even Angelina Jolie and Antonio Banderas weren’t called porn stars for their sex scene in Original Sin. These are movies that most people have probably seen several times.
Let us stop the hypocrisy and face the truth, Ghanaians like to see some “skin”. Why do you think business is booming for newspaper vendors who sell sex-related papers like Funtime, Ebony, among many others? Don’t you see the pictures on the papers? It’s either a topless lady with huge “bazookas” or a lady with nothing on at all. Why aren’t people talking about that? Think about it…
Nevertheless, there are real problems concerning the sex scenes in African movies. Unlike the foreign movies that have stunt actors/actresses and body doubles to play roles that the real actors/actresses find distasteful or too erotic as well as the ability to manipulate the camera in creating elements of deception, Ghana hasn’t gotten to that level in the film making industry. This leaves the actors with no choice than to act out all the scenes themselves.
In my opinion, sex scenes without so little clothing can still make an interesting movie. And we must remember that despite the hunger for international recognition, our movies industry will only grow when our citizens support it too. And we do hold onto our cultural values to some extent.
I conclude this post by saying that, despite a few flaws in the movie, the cast and crew especially, those in charge of editing, continuity e.t.c, must be applauded for their efforts.
Please, feel free to give your comments on this issue.
Finally! I do agree with the sex scenes not bad bit. To the people complaining; ain't you seen worse than in the movie? I believe the main reason for the complaints is that as ghanaians, we were nutured into thinking sex on screen was a taboo, thus the parents going"Close your eyes" during such scenes.
ReplyDeleteLet's face reality, a handful of self same naggers, have done way more than movie stars.
Kudos to the actors and actresses, acting out scenes of this sort isn't an easy task. Many thanks for bringing this issue to light Enyonam.
@ Nita: You are right about the "close your eyes" thing. But why should parents do that in this age of technological advancement? Won't it only lead to this children going to internet cafes to satisfy their curiosity? Maybe some sex education is best.
ReplyDeleteInteresting take,Enyonam.
ReplyDeleteWe Africans are essentially conservative folks. We expect others to 'misbehave' but for one of our own to do something 'liberal' is a taboo.
@posekyere:I thought so too... But with all that is going on around us in terms of morality, I don't know what to think anymore as far as the African being well behaved is concerned.. There are exceptions of course, but that doesn't change the fact that the bad ones surpass the good.
ReplyDeletewell i reall liked this movie, i thought for once ghanaian actors have now changed, they have now come out with something real. keep it up guys, i know u can do even better ones than this.
ReplyDeleteYou see,for me,its not the sex scenes that i find distasteful but the way in which they were carried out or more appropriately,directed.thing is,this is not the first ghanaian movie to have sex scenes.the bone of contention here,therefore,isnt the scenes but the quality of the scenes.After all,shirley's movies contain sex scenes but she does this using skilful lighting and camera tricks and most of these foreign movies do the same;they dont expose too much but they still manage to make the sex scenes look as steamy and erotic as possible.just the way we like them lol ;-).2ndly,in some parts of hearts of men(during the sex scenes,that is)the girl had on a pair of shorts and there was a pillow between majeed and the girl(i kid you not!!!) and somehow,the director either decided to overlook it or simply wasnt sharp enough to notice it.but nevermind,thats why there are people like me...:-D
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