Journalists schooled on film criticism

Accra, Oct. 7, GNA - A five-day sub-regional workshop on film criticism in Africa ended in Accra on Friday with the establishment of the Federation of Ghana Film Critiques, which is to be an affiliate of the Federation of African Film Critiques.

The workshop, attended by Ghanaian and Nigerian Journalists as well as students of the National Film and Television Institute (NAFTI) equipped the participants with the fundamental realities of critiquing a film. It was jointly organised by the French Embassy in Accra in collaboration with NAFTI.

It also aimed at building the capacity of Film Critics, especially journalists to analytically assess productions from neutral, historical, technical, and professional perspective devoid of personal influences. Speaking at the closing ceremony, Mr Martin Loh, NAFTI Director noted film criticism would enhance the development of the entertainment industry in the country and called for collaboration between journalists and stakeholders in .

He, however, cautioned against the abuse of the power of criticism stressing, "Critics should use their professional competence, to educate both the film maker and the targets audience to understand the message of the film."

The aim of a film critic is not to run down the production but expose the inadequacies and enhance the understanding of the publics as view the film.

Mr Loh also called for international and sub-regional collaboration among film critics and players in the entertainment industry, "we are partners, as we all seek to educate, entertain and inform the public through different medium of communication, therefore we must put our resources and efforts together."

Mr Francis Ameyibor a Senior Journalist at Ghana News Agency, in a remark on behalf of the participants described the formation of the Federation of Ghana Film Critiques, as timely and a boost for Ghanaian journalists and urged other entertainment writers and critics to join the federation.

He appealed to the French Embassy and other stakeholders in the entertainment industry, to support the Ghana Federation. He acknowledged that, "the workshop was quiet insightful as the resource persons have not only refuelled our passion as journalists to write, but have also equipped us with additional stimulants to critically assess films.

"We have been exposed to the fundamental principles in critiquing, equipped to understand the role of a journalist and other basic ingredients necessary for effective critiquing aimed at enhancing the development of the film industry in Ghana".

Mr Ameyibor called for a permanent networking relationship with their Nigerian colleagues for the promotion of African films through the medium of film criticism.

Mrs Francine Neuer, Cultural Attach=E9 at the French Embassy who represented the Ambassador pledged the commitment of the embassy in promoting the development of arts and culture in Ghana. She commended formation of the Federation of Ghana Film Critiques as well as establishment of a network between Ghanaian and Nigerian Journalists.

Mr Oliver Barlet a French International Film Critic, who was the main resource person encouraged the participants to avoid the temptation of telling the whole story, being judgemental and imposing their views on the film maker and viewers.

He explained that the work of a critic does not consist adopting a point of view, which would involve deciding whether the film was good or bad.

"Admittedly, the public expect the media to help them decide whether to see one film or another, in the same way that we might seek a friends opinion.

"This is often where the problem lies because criticism is not intended to annihilate or deify a film in five lines but rather offer enlightenment and provide an analysis that would accompany the film be elaborating on the subject and analysing the extent to which this treatment tends to magnify the subject or not." Mr Barlet said the creator offers their audience a snapshot of their thinking at that moment to the extent to which intuition and symbolism were involved as they enable it to go beyond a strictly intellectual framework. 07 Oct. 05