The current movie industry lacks originality – Veteran Actor Nathaniel Banini
Veteran actor Nathaniel Banini has expressed his dissatisfaction with the current state of Ghana’s movie industry, criticizing its tendency to emulate Western content rather than focus on original Ghanaian stories.
Banini lamented the lack of originality in the industry, emphasizing the abundance of untapped Ghanaian stories that could be scripted for movies.
He cited examples such as the stories of Yaa Asantewaa and Dr. Abdullah, which he believes should be explored for film adaptation. Banini argued that the industry’s focus on copying Western content instead of investing in local stories stems from a lack of belief and confidence in Ghanaian narratives.
Addressing issues of funding within the creative sector, Banini expressed skepticism that funding is the primary problem. Instead, he believes that the industry lacks faith in its own stories and is hesitant to invest in them.
Drawing a comparison with Nigeria, Banini praised Nigerian filmmakers for their willingness to invest in their projects, which often leads to profitable returns.
Despite his critique of the movie industry, Banini revealed that he has been pursuing a career in nursing for over 17 years after leaving the film industry.
He attributed his transition to nursing to a “travel and see” phenomenon, where exposure to different experiences led him to explore new career paths. Banini acknowledged the unexpected nature of his career change but emphasized the importance of adapting to new opportunities.
