Living an Artist’s Life – Portraits from Ghana and Malawi

The film portrays the everyday lives of seven ambitious artists from Malawi and Ghana who are torn between authenticity, making a living, global recognition, and stereotypical expectations. They are trying to secure their families’ existence through their art while also realizing their own potential. Wyson Bowman is a fashion designer in Blantyre, Malawi. He loves fashion, but is known as the “Suit Man” for his suits which meet quality standards usually only found in South Africa. George Spratz is a guitarist of traditional Palm Wine Music in Kumasi, Ghana, and also a pastor. In Accra, Teresa Menka photographs people in their daily lives, while Vivian Boateng runs a dance school that connects tradition with modernity. Samuel Ndalema, also from Blantyre, creates sculptures from scrap metal to raise awareness about the sustainable use of resources. 18-year-old Jackline Chimatula from Lilongwe dreams of becoming the best drummer in the world, while Ellastas Msiska dreams of becoming an actress. But due to her sick mother, she cannot leave.

Between art and everyday life, these seven individuals have their own worries, hopes, ideas – and good reasons to stay.

Cast

Teresa Menka
Teresa Menka
Samuel Ndalema
Samuel Ndalema
Ellastas Msiska
Ellastas Msiska
Jackline Chimatula
Jackline Chimatula
George Spratz
George Spratz
Wyson Bowman
Wyson Bowman
Vivian Boateng
Vivian Boateng
Living an Artist’s Life – Portraits aus Ghana und Malawi - Poster 1

Living an Artist’s Life – Portraits from Ghana and Malawi

Carina Nickel, Arne Dreske

  • Documentary
Production Country / Year
Germany, Malawi, Ghana 2024
Language
en. OF mit de. UT
Format
DCP, Color, 67min
1.78:1 (16:9), Stereo PCM
Original Title
Living an Artist’s Life – Portraits aus Ghana und Malawi

Director & Crew

Carina Nickel 1

Carina Nickel

Born in 1989 in Hanover. Studied Television Journalism in Hanover. Active a freelance filmmaker, television journalist, and cinematographer.

Filmography

2016 EIGENTLICH IST SIE MEIN KLEINER BRUDER, Dokumentarfilm

2017 DIE USA UND TRUMP: GEWÄHLT – GESCHOCKT – GESPALTEN, Fernsehfilm

2018 HYGGE - GLÜCKSEXPORT AUS DÄNEMARK, Dokumentarfilm 2018 7 TAGE IM KIOSK, Fernsehfilm

2020 DER MIT DEM WOLF LEBT, Fernsehfilm

2023 RETTET DIE BAUMRIESEN – WIE WALDGIGANTEN DAS KLIMA SCHÜTZEN, Fernsehdokumentation

2024 LIVING AN ARTIST’S LIFE, Dokumentarfilm  HOF 2024

Arne Dreske 1

Arne Dreske

Born in 1989 in Peine. Studied Cultural Studies and Aesthetic Practice with a major in Music at the University of Hildesheim. Active as a freelance musician and cultural scientist at the Center for World Music in Hildesheim.

Filmography

2024 LIVING AN ARTIST’S LIFE, Doku.. HOF 2024

Producer
Carina Nickel
Arne Dreske

News

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