After the successful world premiere at the Las Vegas Black Film Festival where the film took home three awards, and subsequent screenings in Memphis, Dallas and Orlando, Coming to Africa made its official African premiere at the Movenpick Ambassador Hotel in Accra, Ghana.
Actor Khalil Kain, who stars in the movie, and is best known for his roles in the feature film Juice and the sitcom Girlfriends, was in attendance with director Anwar Jamison and producer PY Addo Boateng.
The event began with a special surprise appearance by Ghanaian singer Adina Thembi. Following her performance, the film was screened to an enthusiastic audience, who laughed throughout, and enthusiastically applauded at the conclusion of the movie. Many other Ghanaian film and television personalities were in attendance including David Dontoh, who is featured in the movie, Ama K. Abebrese, Van Vicker, Gloria Sarfo, Peter Ritchie and Moesha Boduong.
Kain also visited several other sites while in the country. He visited historic locations such as the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park & Mausoleum, which was dedicated to the first president of Ghana, and Elmina Castle, one of the remaining structures that was used to house slaves before they were placed on ships headed for America. Ghanaian actress and television personality Nana Ama McBrown, the lead actress in the film, hosted Kain and the group at her home for a traditional Ghanaian dinner prior to the premiere. Kain expressed sincere appreciation for the country during his visit.
“I would be shock and amazed if most Ghanaians understand how much they have to offer the rest of the continent as a culture, and the people over in America as a culture,” said Kain. “This is my first time here, and it really is an emotional experience. It’s visceral. I feel it in my body.” Coming to Africa is currently streaming on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV and Google Play.
Coming to Africa | run time: 95 minutes | movie synopsis
Adrian (Anwar Jamison) has spent his entire adult life, climbing the Corporate America ladder and playing the necessary games to get ahead. He’s bought into the “American Dream” – hook, line and sinker — and he’s been extremely successful in the corporate world because of it. But, he’s not the most conscious brotha! As a Black man, he’s intentionally shielded away from any talk of social justice and racial inequality or leveraged his position to help the Black community. Instead, he believes that the richer Black people become, the better off they’ll be in the struggle. That’s all that matters to him in his rise to the top. He’s poised for a HUGE promotion on his job, making him the first African-American vice president in the history of his company. But, racism rears its ugly head, and he gets a reality check!
On the flip side, Adrian’s brother, Buck (Khalil Kain), is a barber and social activist, who routinely holds community meetings in his barber shop. He’s fully engaged in social change and the liberation of Black people in America — that is, when he’s not cutting hair. So too is Adrian’s other brother, Adonis (Powwah Uhuru), who’s been saving up for more than a year to celebrate his 10th wedding anniversary and gift his wife with the ultimate wedding gift – that is, a trip to Africa. After a perfect storm of disappointment and discrimination, Adrian finds himself in Ghana on an amusing adventure where he meets the beautiful Akosua (Nana Ama McBrown) and finds the nourishment he truly needs for his soul.
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