The much-anticipated film “WILDFIRE” was successfully premiered on the night of 21st October, 2022 at the Alliance Française, Accra. The movie which casts A-list Ghanaian actors includes – Martha Ankomah, Adjetey Anang, Richard Kweku Asante (Kalybos), Gideon Kojo Boakye, Zimran Clottey (popularly known as “Aluta” in the TV series Things We Do for Love) among other top stars and rising actors comprising of Joyce Nana Ama Manu. The movie which was met with positive reception by the audiences had its attendance done strictly by invitation and saw some major dignities and industry players in its attendance.
WILDFIRE is a movie which dives into some issues experienced by Ghanaians during the immediate outbreak of the COVID19 pandemic. The Director of the movie – Michael Akinrogunde employed elements such as romance, comedy and drama to aid in his audio-visual narrative and this surprisingly worked in his favour as some sections of the audience (if not all) cheered and roared to scenes in the film as it progressed – by the end of the movie, audiences were still glued to their seats wanting more although some scenes of the film could have been shortened to pull maximum effect.
WILDFIRE is a film which deserves some accolades for its relevance and significant touch on the theme of human relationships and how people can work together to survive during crisis. This is projected by the main character (played by Martha Ankomah as Madam Tasty/ Mama T)’s willingness (though not free) to aid unknown passengers with affordable space at her motel when the bus the passengers were traveling with from Accra to Kumasi breaks down in the middle of nowhere – their encounter with Mama T made possible by the bus driver (played by Andrew Tandoh Adote) is one which must be seen and made widely opened to the public. The passengers condition worsens when they discover that their inconvenient stay in the motel is extended to two weeks (or more) due to a mandatory lockdown announced by the government leading to the development of the film’s theme.
The impeccable acting skills of Martha Ankomah is one much to be desired coupled with Adjetey Anang, Kalybos and all the cast who made this film possible.
The movie’s press release speech by Joyce Nyame, Programs Coordinator of the Youth Bridge Foundation (Producers of the film) reads; “Fast forward to 2022, We are serving our audience with an enactment of the impact of COVID-19 on the society especially marginalized groups in this thought-provoking movie, WILDFIRE with funding support again from OSIWA. For us, drama resonates with the African cultural method of storytelling – where cultures/heritage, values and systems are passed on hence its importance in how we carry out our advocacy. WILDFIRE presents to us how COVID-19 impacted our social, economic and cultural lives. It tells the untold stories of how individuals just like you and me had to find alternative means of survival and co-exist amidst the pandemic and ultimately during a lock-down.”