Ghanaian actor, Abraham Attah, found fame with the Cary Joji Fukunaga directed film – ‘Beasts of No Nation’. He has since featured in ‘Spider-Man: Homecoming,’ making the US his new home.
Attah has featured in a new film (Tazmanian Devil). He plays 19-year-old Nigerian immigrant Dayo, who is hosted by his father in the US to undertake his college course. The trouble, however, arises when Dayo joins a fraternity in school against his father’s warning.
Dayo’s father is a pastor who relocated to the US leaving him and his mom in Nigeria. Although Dayo thrives in school landing a 4.0 GPA, his father believes as a pastor’s son he ought to be measured.
According to director Solomon Onita Jr. “Many Nigerian immigrants who move to America, they view fraternities as a very destructive, dangerous organization to join. They are pretty much like gangs that you see here in America,” adding, “This film was different from other films that deal with fraternity culture. This film makes a positive case for fraternities rather than just repeating old tired stereotypes.”
Meanwhile, not everyone is enthusiastic about Attah playing the Dayo character. Some Nigerians online reckon a Nigerian actor could have been used. Although both Ghana and Nigeria are West African countries, their rivalry in sports, music and film is well noted.
Watch: Abraham Attah Stars in Trailer for New Movie Tazmanian Devil. pic.twitter.com/0Xl8pxXtOr
— Isaac Lance Anning (@wifiwrld) July 27, 2020
‘Tazmanian Devil’ by the US-Nigerian director also featured Adepero Oduye (Pariah, 12 Years a Slave, Central Park Five, When They See Us), Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine (The Chi, Queen of Katwe) and Kwesi Boakye (Claws, Flight).
It is produced by Tricia Woodgett, Frank Cohen and Karl Soelter with Bryan “Birdman” Williams (Cash Money Films), Benny Boom (Groundwurk Studios) and Gerald Rawles (Groundwurk Studios) as executive producers. An official release date is yet to be announced.
Below are some of the reactions:
Did I hear, “you’re Nigerian right?”.. Man’s Ghanaian ?
— TheHubGh (@TheHubGh2) July 28, 2020
I’m not being negative buh why should he be stared as Nigerian though????
— jerry richard♈????? (@richphresh) July 28, 2020
Bro Pple are weird as fuck ..how can you have a problem with this ,it’s a movie !!! It’s not that deep ebei..he’s Nigerian iin the movie ??M O V I E
— flash errands-kumasi (@payne_blvck) July 28, 2020
I’m a film director and a script writer and we don’t do this when starring someone not from our country in movies. Show respect to the country his from, ask yourself why didn’t they go for a Nigerian to play that particular role. it’s disrespecttful and shouldn’t be encouraged.
— Kofi_Ramsberry ?? (@Ramsey_Ramzbery) July 28, 2020
So the Dad is from SA mum Nigeria boy Ghana and a mix of English and American accents
— Eann-brennen maame (@slickpam) July 28, 2020
