Tag Archives: film
Multiverse Ghana available online
The documentary Multiverse Ghana – film that grew out of a research trip through Ghana for a documentary series on science in Africa – is available to watch online for free!
You can find it here
More on the journey creating this film, you can find on this very blog.
Enjoy watching!
Mirrored
Still from MULTIVERSE Ghana
There is something about screening a film in a place where it was actually shot.
Yesterday I was at AIMS Ghana – and for those who already have seen the film you might remember the AIMS students I interviewed and the shots that I took of the group working in their computer lab.
Well, we screened the film in that exact same lab.
There was a new group of students, as the ones I filmed had graduated in 2014. But this mix of students from all over Africa generates the exact same vibe: a lot of positivity, jokes and laughter.
But not only that, there also is a lot of hard mathematical work being done.
A lecture was being pushed backwards, so that everyone could watch the film – which made one of the Ghanaian students very happy, because it gave him more time to prepare the presentation he had to give for which he needed to solve a daunting mix of Algebra and Quantum Physics equations.
First time in Ghana
photo by Kweku Sarfo
The time had come to switch on the air conditioning in the brand new Auditorium. People were dripping in, and three high school classes took their seats.
I had arrived early to take it easy, and to be able to welcome Koo Nimo and his band when they arrived for their rehearsals. They had arrived that same morning after a 4 hour bus drive from Kumasi. We found ourselves all sitting in our chairs a little lost, because of the heat (at least for me) or the travel, under the brand new sign of the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences. Koo immediately took out his guitar to tune it and play. Next to us builders were very busy working on the rest of the building as only the Auditorium had thus far been finished.
Later, Prof. Allotey proudly talked about how he managed to get it through – the building plans for the new Academy. Which currently is located next-door in a relatively small and little bit worn down structure – reflecting the status of science within the country. The new building will be a massive beautiful white structure, which will contain its own guest house (to be able to take care of its own guests) and will be powered by solar panels to opt out of the power downs that have to be dealt with multiple times a day when relying on the national grid. It is Prof. Allotey’s way of physically establishing what the status of science and technology should be in Ghana.
So underneath the buzzing builders spread all over the fundaments of what is soon to be the New Academy I take some pictures of Koo’s band rehearsing. I have to say I must have stood out to these men at work – occasionally shouting to me “obruni” – being the only white person on the spot, as well as being a girl dressed up for a premiere. But to be honest I never felt as if I was standing out myself, not while traveling two years ago, not now at the premiere.
For a bit I escaped the heat to the AV-room. The place that always feels like home to me – like the guitar to Koo Nimo. And at the moment even more so because of its pleasant temperature inside. Technical equipment generally does not stand the heat so well, and hard working people setting up everything for a show neither. So although saving energy is high on the priority list – this room was allowed to have the air conditioning on already.
With the IT manager, about my age, also in charge of AV and as told by his superiors the power generator (which he has trouble with explaining that that is something that has nothing to do with his expertise in IT) I talk about graphic cards, jobs and whether the new building will actually be maintained well – the biggest challenge according to him.
Later, after the film, I found myself on stage with Ghana’s Greats.
photo by Kweku Sarfo
photo by Kweku Sarfo
Good questions.
photo by Kweku Sarfo
Kweku Sarfo facebook
Grand premiere MULTIVERSE Ghana IN Ghana!
I will need to pack my bags soon because I am flying back to Ghana!
This time I will be leaving with the finished film in my pocket, which feels quite special.
11 November 2015, 5pm
will be the date and time of
the MULTIVERSE Ghana Grand Premiere
at the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences.
So block it in your calendar, create a reminder in your phone, or write it on the wall… this is going to be good!
Of course I will be posting about the things happening next week (because, yes, I will be there for a whole week).
What I hope will happen when screening the film? I hope to get people talking about science and its shape and role within society!
Let’s see what happens…
On the Air!
Last Tuesday evening I was interviewed about MULTIVERSE Ghana on Radio 1 at VPRO’s Bureau Buitenland.
They published a very nice article here and if you’d like to listen to the interview, you can find it here.
Do need to note that it is all in Dutch!
Revealing the Poster
Look what the post delivered to me…
Lots of posters: let the offline promotion begin!
World Premiere MULTIVERSE Ghana: It is happening!
Madam Khadjia Tahiru, shea butter expert, stars in the film.
The first of hopefully many screenings, will take place in Amsterdam on the 24th of June 2015 at 8pm!
De Balie and ZAM magazine partnered up to host MULTIVERSE Ghana.
But that’s not all, Professor Allotey will come to Amsterdam for the event!
After the screening Bahram Sadeghi will facilitate a talk with me and the professor about the film and the meaning of science, focussing on culture and creativity.
If you want to immerse yourself in the colourful warm Ghanaian culture for a bit,
if you want to look at science from a different perspective
ánd/or look at Africa from a different perspective, do come along!
Tickets are EUR 10 (discounts apply, cineville is valid) you can book them here at de Balie website.
Hope to see you there!
MULTIVERSE Ghana – time to reveal the trailer!
Finally the time has come to present to you the trailer of MULTIVERSE Ghana!
Spread the word, show the love, big things are about to happen…
Keep track of this blog if you’d like to hear where, when or how you will be able to watch the full documentary in the near future.
Have a taste | three
I think it is important that most people start listening to people again. In real life, but also on television, in film, and let’s not forget on the internet. It feels like the future is in going faster, harder, stronger, sexier. But I like to think that is nonsense. Let’s go back to the retro concept of taking time and watch or see something unfolding. A real hip and vintage idea don’t you think?
I’d like to take you back to something I posted earlier, titled Mad about Maths. That day was all about listening, as I interviewed seventeen Master’s students from 16 different countries in Africa on their aspirations and their passion. I really enjoyed my shoot there, it was great to speak with people who are so driven!
In this ‘Have a taste’ episode I’d like to show a quote of one of the Ghanaian students at AIMS (the African Institute of Mathematical Sciences in Ghana of which Professor Allotey actually is founder).
Since this is all about giving a taste, I am not going to show you every student I interviewed (yet!). But I liked the spirit of this quote and the way Mary explains what it is that she likes about mathematics, so I did not want to keep that from you.
thinkthink 