The Boy Kumasenu
The Boy Kumasenu

Movie spotlight

The Boy Kumasenu

1952
Movie
60 min
English

It tells the story of a boy Kumasenu who moves to the city of Accra from a small fishing village, encouraged by his cousin Agboh's exaggerated tales of the wonders of city life. Hungry, he steals bread and is caught by police, but is rescued by a doctor and his wife who find him work. Agboh attempts to get Kumasenu to rob the doctor, but Kumasenu foils his cousin's plans.

Insights

Director: Stuart LeggGenres: Drama, Social

Plot Summary

The film follows Kumasenu, a young boy from a rural village in Ghana, as he navigates the challenges of modernization and traditional life. He leaves his village to seek opportunities in the city, encountering both the allure of urban living and the harsh realities of poverty and exploitation. Kumasenu's journey highlights the social and economic transitions occurring in West Africa during the colonial era.

Critical Reception

As an early documentary-style drama from the Gold Coast (now Ghana), 'The Boy Kumasenu' was primarily produced for educational and informational purposes, aiming to depict the social changes and challenges faced by young Africans. Critical reception at the time was largely focused on its ethnographic and sociological value, rather than artistic merit. It is recognized for its early insight into post-colonial African life.

What Reviewers Say

  • Offers a valuable historical snapshot of social conditions in colonial Ghana.

  • Highlights the complexities of tradition versus modernity for young Africans.

  • An important early film documenting the African experience.

Google audience: Information regarding Google user reviews for this specific film is not readily available due to its age and historical context.

Fun Fact

The film was made by the Colonial Film Unit and was one of the first feature films shot in Ghana, offering a rare glimpse into daily life and social issues during the colonial period.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

1 reviews
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

At times, this reminded me quite a lot of one of those Children's Film Foundation movies that were designed for, and starred, the kids. Only this one is set in warmer climes, and stars the young Nortey Engmann in the title role. He lives a ...