NAFTI celebrates Chris Hesse

The National Film and Television Institute (NAFTI) is to celebrate and recognise the work of Rev. Dr Chris Tsui Hesse, Ghana’s foremost cinematographer, in its 2013  lectures. 

The five-day lectures, on the theme: “The cinematographer as a complete filmmaker: His role as the great visualiser and documentation”, would explore Rev. Dr Hesse’s work as a cinematographer, film director and documentary photographer.

Known to be the first war cameraman to shoot a film on the Congo Crisis in 1960, for worldwide distribution, Rev. Hesse’s work as a documentary historian would also be explored through viewing and discussions of his films. 

He is known for his Ghana Reborn documentary. He also was the official cinematographer from former Presidents Dr Kwame Nkrumah to Flt.Lt. Jerry John Rawlings and chalked up many other achievements.  

At the opening ceremony of the lectures in Accra last Monday, the Rector of NAFTI, Professor Linus Abraham, indicated that Rev. Dr Hesse’s work would provide the opportunity to take a closer look at the technical disciplines in film making.

This, he said, would help to examine the  importance and contribution of technical discipline to the growth and development of the film industry in the country. 

He said as the main training institution, NAFTI had a role to play in correcting ills in the industry to ensure  its development.  

“Unfortunately there are a lot of criticisms for poor quality narratives and its dissemination of negative stereotypes such as witchcraft,  drug dealers, sex, among others,” he said.

The Deputy Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Ms Abla Dzifa Gomashie, for her part, urged players in the industry to learn from the pioneers and uphold the culture and history of the country through their media.

She said short-changing what they had sacrificed for would make their work to be in vain.

The film industry, she said, was a powerful media that should be used to uphold the pride of the nation.

Therefore, she urged players in the industry not to abuse it but rather produce and direct films that would benefit the country as a whole.

The Chairman of the NAFTI Board of Governors, Professor Kofi Anyidoho, encouraged the students to undertake  more research and documentations. 

The NAFTI Film lectures, held annually, are intended to provide both academic and professional fora to reflect on developments in the Ghanaian motion picture industry through series of lectures, workshops and recognition awards. 

In 2011 and 2012, Messrs Kwaw Ansah and King Ampaw were celebrated respectively.

Story: Salomey Appiah