Canada Film Week in Accra, Ghana

Making history by sharing Canadian stories and culture with foreign friends and global citizens
The High Commission of Canada to Ghana in collaboration with the Goethe Institut-Ghana will be making history in November by sharing Canadian stories and culture with foreign friends and global citizens. Canada Film Week in Accra, Ghana will be presenting Canadian short and feature films November 3 – 5, 2010. Some of the best of Canadian film production will be screened for the public at 7:30 p.m. nightly. Admission is free. More information is available here.
Canada and Ghana have a long history of excellent diplomatic relations but the relationship between our two countries goes beyond diplomacy. There are Canadians living and working in Ghana and literally thousands of Ghanaians studying, working and living in Canada. It is these people-to-people relationships that continue to solidify the very deep friendship between our two countries.
The Canadian High Commissioner to Ghana, HE Trudy Kernighan stated: “We are delighted to be collaborating with the National Screen Institute - Canada (NSI) to introduce Ghanaian friends and our international partners in Ghana to Canada through film. These popular feature films as well as the prize-winning short films represent some of the best that Canadian filmmakers have to offer.” Read more about how Canada Film Week came about in this online interview with the Canadian High Commissioner to Ghana, HE Trudy Kernighan.
Wednesday November 3:
Short films from NSI Drama Prize run by National Screen Institute – Canada:
The Way It Used to Be (2008, Ontario) 8:08
Writer: Bob Mackowycz, director: Sarah Lazarovic, producer: Sandra Picheca
Elderly Rebecca wakes up in heaven to find her two late husbands, one young, one old, vying for her companionship in the afterlife.
Rider Pride (2000, Saskatchewan) 11:00
Director: Tony Hrynchuk and producer/writer: Craig Courtice
Grey Cup 1989. All Les wants to do is get through work without hearing the score of the game. But to make it home and watch the game on tape, Les has to quarterback his way through an opposition more ferocious than any Tiger Cat.
The Curiosity of Penny Parker (2008, Ontario) 5:45
Writer/director: Ryan Hanson and producer: Paul Lachowich
Penny Parker is a curious young girl with a vivid imagination who discovers her own inner strength to better her current situation.
Dual Citizen (2000, Ontario) 10:00
Writer/director: Christy Garland and producer: Kirsteen McLean
Bob is a “snowbird” enjoying his golden years in a sleepy retirement suburb in Florida. His biggest decision usually concerns the hour of his nap, until one day a neighbour causes a flap over the tiny Canadian flag above his door -- and a lot more goes down before the flag does.
For My Father (2001, British Columbia) 9:00
Director: Luke Carroll, writer: Tim McAree and producer: Erin Haskett
Brad, a seemingly dutiful son, visits his father in a nursing home every weekend since his mother died. The father’s growing debilitation means he is unable to communicate, so Brad acts as his lifeline to the outer world and does everything possible to prolong his life. Who could expect more from such a caring son?
Countdown (2008, Newfoundland) 9:21
Writer/director: Jordan Canning and producer: Laura Churchill
A Roald Dahl-like fable about an ill-fated professional pianist who comes down with a unique affliction: he is losing the use of his fingers. His life spirals downward as, one by one, his digits stop functioning.
In Between (2008, Ontario) 7:48
Writer/director: Nadine Valcin and producer: Brigitte Boucher
A young woman spends an emotionally-packed evening tending the family convenience store.
Apparent Woes (2006, Ontario) 13:00
Writer/director: Lisa Robertson and producer: Karitsa Tye
After a long day at the office, Jake and Jane, two middle-aged, upper class professionals, find themselves at the mercy of Toddy, a fitful eight-month-old baby.
Redeemable in Merchandise (2003, Quebec) 13:00
Director/producer: David Finch and writer: Maureen Marovitch
Dorothy has been married for over three decade to a man obsessed with saving Canadian Tire money. Dorothy has sacrificed over the years to help expand his collection. But now it’s Dorothy’s turn to get a little something for herself.
The Auburn Hills Breakdown (2007, British Columbia) 13:00
Writer/director: Geoff Redknap and producer: Katie Weekly
A clan of cannibals struggle to stay together when they are forced to hide out in the terrifying country home of a lonely yuppie couple.
For more about Canada’s National Screen Institute, visit our website at www.nsi-canada.ca.
Thursday, November 4
Feature Film:
Passchendaele (2008, Alberta) 114 minutes
Writer/Director/Producer: Paul Gross
Set during the height of the First World War, Passchendaele tells the story of Sergeant Michael Dunne (Paul Gross), a soldier who is brutally wounded in France and returns to Calgary emotionally and physically scarred. While in the military hospital in Calgary, he meets Sarah (Caroline Dhavernas), a mysterious and attractive nurse with whom he develops a passionate love. When Sarah's younger asthmatic brother David (Joe Dinicol) signs up to fight in Europe, Michael feels compelled to return to Europe to protect him. Michael and David, like thousands of Canadians, are sent to fight in the third battle of Ypres, a battle against impossible odds, commonly known as "Passchendaele". It is a story of passion, courage and dedication, showing the heroism of those that fought in battle, and of the ones that loved them. (source: Tribute)
Friday November 5
Feature Film:
Heaven on Earth (2008, Ontario) 106 minutes
Writer/Director/Producer: Deepa Mehta
Chand (Preity Zinta) is a young woman who travels from India to Canada to marry Rocky (Vansh Bhardwaj), a man she has never met. Her dream of a new life morphs into a nightmare as marriage to Rocky and his family becomes a numbing spiral of confusion and pain. Chand finds hope in her friendship with Rosa (Yanna McIntosh), a street-smart woman from Jamaica who works with Chand at a laundry factory. Rosa gives Chand a magical root and promises that it will make Rocky fall deeply in love with her. The experiment ends in a surreal parallel life that mirrors an Indian fable involving a King Cobra. (source: Hamilton Mehta Productions website)