Tsutsué, a Ghanaian short film written and directed by Amartei Armar and produced by Yemoh Ike has become, according to Amartei, the first film from sub-Saharan Africa to be nominated for the Cannes Film Festival, the world’s biggest film festival.
The 2022 edition of the festival, the 75th Cannes Film Festival began on May 17 and is expected to end today May 28 in France. Films from all over the world are submitted for consideration as well as being nominated for various awards.
Tsutsué reportedly competed with about 3,507 other short films to make it to the big screen.
According to the director, Amartei “After a lot of digging we realized that this is a first for Ghana and possibly Sub-Saharan Africa to have a short film be represented in this particular category. After many sleepless nights and two hospital trips by yours truly, I just want to extend the sincerest gratitude to the lovely cast and crew that made this possible!”
The film is set in a small Ghanaian town at the edge of a large landfill site that spills into the ocean, the sons of a fisherman, Sowah and Okai, struggle to cope with loss of their eldest brother who drowned during a fishing expedition. Haunted by his demise, Okai believes their brother is still out there and features new acting talents Kirston-Acquah Elisha, David Tontie, Incoom Kwabena Victor, Gabriel Narh Addo and Numo Ablorh.
The short film, which is about 15 minutes long was nominated for the Short Film Palme d’Or and La Cinef awards but has lost out on La Cinef at the time of this publication.
Upon completing his BFA in Film Production at the University of British Columbia, Amartei Armar completed his first film “ARC” which went on to screen successfully at many international festivals. “VAGABONDS”, his first film shot in his “fatherland” Ghana, also went on to screen at several festivals around the world. It’s highest achievement, winning the Oscar Qualifying 1st Prize Award in the Short Film World Competition at the Montreal World Film Festival. Other projects of his are Kilai and I like it here.
