Culture

Controversial Moroccan movie, ‘The UnRedacted’, nominated for Bafta Award

Published

2 years ago

December 29, 2022

A controversial Moroccan movie which was rejected by major film festivals in the United Kingdom and the United States for allegedly propagating “Islamophobia”, has now been nominated a Bafta award which will hold early next year.

It was a dramatic turnaround for the the “infamous movie” which was formerly titled “Jihad Rehab”, before its American director, Meg Smacker, changed the name to “The UnRedacted”.

The Bafta Award Committee announced the nomination of the movie on Thursday despite the widespread criticism it recieved when it was premiered at the Sundance film premiere, which had critics questioning the ethics of the documentary-style production.

The storyline of the film follows four prisoners at Guantanamo Bay as they prepare for freedom, with the documentary-style film focusing on Yemeni men at a Saudi deradicalization center.

Following the criticism, Sundance issued an apology, saying “it is clear that the showing of this film hurt members of our community – in particular, individuals from Muslim and MENASA communities – and for that, we are deeply sorry.”

Among the reasons that ultimately led to the movie being canceled was the issue of consent and ethics behind the men featured in the film as the major movie makers questioned if participants had fully consented to being filmed.

The film was ultimately rejected by major film festivals in both the UK and the US, and some have even reported rejecting showing the film before watching it based on the bad press it had received.

This is not the first film to be banned this year due to hurtful and damaging content toward the Muslim community. In June, Morocco and other Muslim countries had banned a movie titled “The Lady of Heaven” for its “blasphemous” depiction of Prophet Muhammad.

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Culture

Ghana’s Supreme Court dismisses suit challenging anti-LGBT bill

Published

22 hours ago

December 19, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Ghana’s Supreme Court has dismissed two separate suits challenging the legality of one of the proposed anti-LGBT legislations awaiting assent into law by the president.

The separate suits were filed by two legal practitioners, Amanda Odoi and Richard Sky, challenging the bill, seeking to declare it illegal and prevent the president from signing it.

The two cases had challenged the constitutionality of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill.

But in a ruling on Wednesday, the Supreme Court unanimously decided to dismiss the legal challenges to the new anti-LGBT legislation that has been criticised by rights groups.

The controversial bill was passed earlier this year by Ghanaian lawmakers with three years imprisonment for people identifying as LGBT and five years for forming or funding LGBT groups.

While dismissing the cases, presiding judge, Justice Avril Lovelace-Johnson, who delivered the ruling on behalf of the seven-member panel, said the cases were premature.

“Until there’s presidential assent, there is no act, the two cases were “unanimously dismissed,” she said.

The ruling is the latest blow to the LGBTQ community in Ghana and paves the way for the president to sign into law what many say is one of Africa’s most restrictive piece of anti-LGBTQ legislation.

President Nana Akufo-Addo, whose term in office ends on 7 January, had delayed signing it pending the outcome of the Supreme Court challenge but the judges said the case could not be reviewed until it had been signed it into law.

It expected that incoming president, John Mahama, will sign the bill into law as he had always expressed his support for the bill during his electioneering campaigns.

Culture

UNESCO lists Ghana’s Kente cloth as cultural heritage

Published

2 days ago

December 18, 2024

Isaac Dachen

The iconic Ghanaian Kente, a piece of clothing, has been recognized as a cultural heritage on UNESCO’s Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

The global recognition, according to the UN body, is coming under the 2003 Convention for Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage highlights the cultural and historical significance of the vibrant, handwoven textile.

In a citation on its website, UNESCO describes the Kente cloth as “originating from Ghana’s Asante and Ewe communities and renowned worldwide for its bold colors, intricate patterns, and deep symbolic meanings, embodying the creativity and identity of the Ghanaian people.”

Ghana’s Tourism Minister, Andrew Egyapa Mercer, described the recognition as a testament to Ghana’s commitment to preserving its cultural heritage.

“This achievement places Ghana at the forefront of global efforts to safeguard and celebrate cultural traditions,” he noted.

In a statement acknowledging the recognition, Mercer said the “Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MoTAC) expressed gratitude to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, UNESCO, and the artisans, cultural institutions, and traditional authorities who contributed to this milestone.”

“Special acknowledgement is given to the Bonwire and Agotime communities for their enduring role as custodians of the craft.

“As Ghana celebrates this historic moment, MoTAC reaffirms its dedication to promoting and preserving the nation’s rich cultural legacy.”