Nigerians unhappy as Ghanaian Attah plays Dayo role in new film ‘Tazmanian Devil’

Michael Eli Dokosi July 29, 2020
Abraham Attah with Kwesi Boakye via Instagram/tazmaniandevilmovie

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.

‘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:

Last Edited by:Kent Mensah Updated: July 29, 2020

Conversations

Must Read

Connect with us

Join our Mailing List to Receive Updates