'Agony of the Christ' Premiered

By Stephen Kwabena Effah
Saturday,06 September 2008

Venus Film Production, one of the forces behind movie production in the country, last Friday premièred their latest and finest movie, yet to hit the market later this month, at the National Theatre in Accra.

The thriller, “Agony of the Christ,” is set in a small village called Ejukrom where human beings are at the mercy of fellow men as some are unluckily slaughtered like chickens and goats as sacrifices to appease their god.

Until the emergence of Christianity in the village, innocent people, especially virgins, were upon the orders of Azaazi, the priestess of the kingdom, killed at a spiritual durbar of the chief, elders and people of the land.

Although, many of the residents considered the consistent killing of their fellows inhumane, they were helpless. But the story began one day, when two virgins of Agya Asamoah, were surrounded by the chief’s executioners who wanted to take them for to sacrifice t to heir god.

Not comfortable with the situation, the son of Agya Asamoah, stood in defence of his sisters resulting in the death of one of the executioners. He was then given a wild chase by the executioners until he found himself in the evil forest.

After wallowing in the evil wood, Jama landed in another village with “strange” tradition altogether. But that was the turning point in his life as he was shown the light to the world, the word of God.

Being someone who stood against the gruesome killing of his people in the name of tradition, Jama embarked on a journey back to Ejukrom in the company of two men of God to liberate his people who have for years been living in the dark without.

At this stage, one would not be wrong to call the action this epic movie presents as fireworks or showcase of powers between God and the gods. The storyline is likened to story of the struggle that Jesus Christ went through to save the earth.

Talk about the betrayal, beatings and crucifixion, Jama who is the hero in the movie, went through them in his struggle to let his people know God who cares and loves but does not need blood as sacrifices.

Written and produced by Abdul Salam Mumuni, the movie portrays the sufferings of true believers of Jesus Christ the son of God in the latter days while showcasing the artistic beauty of African Culture.

Starring Nadia Buari (Azaazi), Majid Michel (Jama), Kofi Adjorlolo (Agya Asamoah), Naana Hayford (wife of Agya Asamoah) and a host of others, the movie was directed by Frank Arase.