NAKOM (World Premiere - Panorama) is a historic film - the first film from Ghana to ever play the Berlinale, and the first feature film made in the Kusaal language. Inspired by the pull of Western modern life in a remote African farming village, NAKOM is a tremendous achievement.
After his father's sudden death, Iddrisu, a talented medical student, returns to Nakom, his home village in northern Ghana, to repay a debt that threatens to destroy his family. Over the course of a growing season, Iddrisu confronts both the tragedy and beauty of village life, and must finally choose between two very different futures - one for himself in the city, or one for his family and entire village.
NAKOM is an intimate yet universal story, full of remarkable characters; about one man's search for independence while feeling the pull of responsibility for his family; about the contrasts and ironies of contemporary life versus traditional, ancient village ways. While the actual village of Nakom does not have electricity or running water, Facebook is accessible on mobile phones.
Star Jacob Ayanaba is a revelation among a cast of talented non-actors, nearly all from Nakom, and exquisite cinematography captures the dramatic seasonal transformation of the arid desert landscape to rain soaked fertile farmland.
A Ghanaian-American co-production, NAKOM was conceived by writers Isaac Adakudugu (a native of the title village) and TW Pittman (who lived and worked there with the US Peace Corps before becoming a filmmaker), and realized by U.S.-based directors Pittman and Kelly Daniela Norris.
2016 Berlinale
World Premiere - Panorama Section
NAKOM
Ghana-USA / 2016 / 90 min / Color
In Kusaal language, with English subtitles
Directed by: Kelly Daniela Norris, TW Pittman
Written by: Isaac Adakudugu, TW Pittman
Music: acclaimed Senegalese composer Daby Balde
Cast: Jacob Ayanaba, Grace Ayariga, Abdul Aziz, Justina Kulidu, Shetu Musah
Festival Info:
Festival Screenings:
Mon Feb 15 20:00, CinemaxX 7 (Premiere, P&I)
Tue Feb 16 22:45, CineStar 3
Wed Feb 17 14:00, International
Fri Feb 19 17:45, CineStar 3
Sat Feb 20 20:15, CineStar 3
Synopsis:
After his father's sudden death, Iddrisu, a talented medical student, returns to his home village in northern Ghana. Faced with a debt that could destroy his family, Iddrisu has no choice but to turn their farm and fortunes around. Over the course of a growing season, Iddrisu confronts both the tragedy and beauty of village life, and must finally choose between two very different futures.
Filmmaker Info:
Kelly Daniela Norris (Director)
Kelly's debut feature, SOMBRAS DE AZUL, won the Audience Award at its premiere at the 2013 Austin Film Festival, and has screened at more than a dozen domestic and international festivals. Her second feature NAKOM has garnered assistance from Ghana's Kwame Nkrumah University, the Austin Film Society, and the Global Film Initiative.
TW (Trav) Pittman (Co-Writer / Director)
Trav is a writer and producer with Rasquaché Films, and makes her feature directorial debut with NAKOM. She codirected the film on-location in Ghana, largely in the rural village where she once served with the US Peace Corps. Previously, she produced the Cuba-set feature SOMBRAS DE AZUL, which is among the only Cuban-American co-productions in 50 years of the U.S. embargo