Director

Akosua Adoma Owusu

Cast list

Jojo Abot as Nyan Koronhwea
Koo Mino as Kwaku Ananse
Grace Omaboe as Aso
Karim Adam as Ntikuma

Credits

Producer: Akosua Adoma Owusu, Julio Chavezmontes, Lisa Cortés
Associate Producer: Jorge Fong, Rune Hansen, Mónica Reina, Mariana Martínez, Samuel Rosete, Hector Ruíz, Sumie Garcia
Writer: Akosua Adoma Owusu, Iram Paureen Bilal
Cinematographer: Pedro González Rubio
Production Sound: Fredrick Opuku
Sound Design: Uriel Esquenazi
Original Score: Hector Ruíz
Editor: Rodrigo Quintero, Akosua Adoma Owusu

Synopsis

A young woman, Nyan, travels from chaotic city streets to a rural village where she attends the funeral of her estranged father. Distant and seemingly unaffected, she eschews affection from his widow. Following the ceremony she finds herself drawn inexplicably into the forest. Nyan journeys through lush jungle, where a supernatural encounter occurs.

Shot on location in Ghana, Kwaku Ananse is visually saturated and lush.  Weaving together myth and autobiography, this short film is deeply affective and personal; a dedication to the young filmmaker's late father. More narratively driven than much of her previous work, it nonetheless demonstrates consistency with her oeuvre. Owusu's knack for formal experimentation animates the film. Rhythmic and pulsating, brought to life through visual contrast and music, Kwaku Ananse finds vitality in death.

Awards:

Winner - 2013 African Movie Academy Award, Best Short Film 
Nominated - 2013 Golden Bear for Best Short Film, Berlinale 
Special Mention - 2015 Cinemas D'Afrique Angers

Reviews

Obenson, Tambay. "'Kwaku Ananse' - A Fable, A Funeral And A Spider Coffin (Fundraising)." IndieWire, 1 Aug. 2012, http://www.indiewire.com/2012/08/kwaku-ananse-a-fable-a-funeral-and-a-spider-coffin-fundraising-143463/.

Sekyiamah, Nana Darkoa. "Akosua Adoma Owusu: From 'Kwaku Ananse' to 'Bus Nut.'" This is Africa, 21 April 2015, https://thisisafrica.me/lifestyle/akosua-adoma-owusu-kwaku-ananse-bus-nut/ .