‘Do we know why Spike Lee was in Ghana?’ - Movie producer Peter Sedufia jabs critics

Ghanaian movie producer and Creative Director at Old Films Production, Peter Sedufia has defended claims that players in the movie industry didn’t show any commitment to meet award-winning American director and producer, Spike Lee on his visit to Ghana recently.

Stakeholders in the movie industry had been condemned for their lackadaisical attitude to work following a disclosure by Spike Lee that he had not been approached by any Ghanaian filmmaker during his time in Ghana.

Speaking in an interview on Accra-based Asaase Radio, the ‘Da 5 Bloods’ filmmaker stated that he would have loved to communicate with people in the film industry and share some trade ideas, among others but that couldn’t happen.

 “I did not know that there is a thriving film industry in Ghana, I know about Nigeria. And I made the point that it was publicised that I was coming and no one approached me from the film office. I would have loved to meet the people in the film industry here [in Ghana],” he said during the interview.

In a rebuttal on Facebook however, Peter Sedufia said it was quite unfortunate his colleagues and himself were being criticised and should be given a brief.

“These knee-jerk reactionary behaviours are part of the reason we're stuck as an industry...

“1. Do we know why Spike Lee was in Ghana?

“2. Do we know his itinerary before wishing to have bombarded him with our unplanned/unsolicited film industry appointments?

“3. Do we know who even invited him and on whose ticket he was here, and whether that person was opened to other people tapping into their investment?

“Eg. I invite James Cameron to Ghana, pay his travel expenses and accommodation for my personal purpose, only for random people to come and bombard him with unplanned and unintended appointments. Does this make sense to any right thinking person?

“If Spike Lee wanted to meet Ghanaian filmmaking Community, he would have mentioned it before coming, then we'd be aware of the invitation to treat. Or, whoever was inviting him would have made that known. He can't pretend not to know people make films in Ghana.

“If he was invited on the ticket of the government, then there's a communication failure somewhere. I cannot single-handedly make my way to Spike Lee to make an appointment to have an entire film industry conversation with him. Where's my access point?

“People should just chill about these whole brouhaha...

“We don't create our own opportunities, but we always want to jump and grab other people's creations. If you need Spike Lee, James Cameron, etc, for a film industry conversation, make a conscious effort to invite them, and they'll decide how to treat your invitation. Don't wait to parasite on someone else's investment. Give us a break!,” he said.