The REX Cinema was built by Ghana’s first president, Kwame Nkrumah, who had a vision of creating a Ghanaian cinema industry that could be shared with the world. The REX, located in Accra, is just one of many cinemas built throughout Ghana, and like so many of the others, it’s in trouble.
Even though Ghana’s film industry has been incredibly successful, its early cinemas are on the verge of extinction, and could be sold for redevelopment. The REX Cinema hasn’t been used for the arts for years and is also at risk of being sold.
Here’s what I’m thinking: “Damn the Man, Save the Rex.”
My project is about preserving Ghana’s cultural heritage, and is extremely personal to me. My vision is to transform the REX into a creative space for art, music and film – where the next generation of Ghanaian filmmakers and artists can showcase their work. With your support, I can help strengthen a cinema-going culture in Ghana.
The backers of my first campaign helped me create Kwaku Ananse, which premiered in competition at the Berlinale, Toronto and London Film Festivals, and even won an Africa Movie Academy Award.
After making Kwaku Ananse, I moved to Ghana, my parents’ homeland, so I could embark on a new journey: reviving The REX Cinema.
I am extremely excited to use my creative experience and be of service to the Ghanaian film community, and I hope to encourage young African filmmakers to embrace our priceless resources.
I plan to open the renovated space and premiere Kwaku Ananse there before the end of the year.
I would like to raise $8,000 on Kickstarter to:
- buy video and film projectors
- install speakers and sound equipment
- buy lights to install in the venue for events
- paint the venue
- install lights on the exterior of the venue
- clean the facility
- pay the Kickstarter/Amazon fee
I am collaborating with local artists who are doing amazing work to push the Ghanaian creative movement. Africans and Africans of the Diaspora can offer something real and valuable to the world of cinema and we want to tell stories from our own perspective and want to share it.
I believe most people can relate to that, which is why I am reaching out for your kind support, to Damn, the Man, and Save the Rex Cinema House.
Even if you don’t have money, please help by spreading the ‘Damn the Man, Save the Rex’ Kickstarter page with hash tags #damntheman and #savetherex (on Twitter,Facebook, tumblr, blogs, etc), and joining the Ghanaian creative movement.
If you want to see the cinema house revived, “Damn the Man, and Save the Rex!”
Thank you,
Akosua Adoma Owusu
