BEX MORRTY TELLS MORE ABOUT MOVIE 'FREETOWN'

Freetown, a film about Liberian missionaries fleeing violence in their hometown, premiered at the Silver Bird Theatres in Accra Mall last Thursday night before the international release date, allowing viewers a sneak peak of the buzzed-about movie that was filmed exclusively in Ghana and stars popular African actors, thanks to Agbeko Mortty. 
 

Acclaimed producer Adam Abel and director Garrett Batty worked with London-born Ghanaian casting director, Mortty, popularly known in the industry as Bex, to hand pick some of Ghana’s best talent such as Nuong Faalongto star in the movie and bring the story to life on screen.

“I was thrilled to get involved with this film because it had such a clear message about the power of faith.  I knew that I had to find actors with the strength and spirit to really deliver a forceful performance in each scene,” said Bex.

The film, based on a true story, has been met with much excitement and positivity after showings at the 2015 Pan Africa Film Festival (PAFF) as well as the Latter Day Saints Film Festival (LDSFF), largely due to the cast’s ability to equip the film with a palpable honesty. Critics hailed it as a thrilling study of the consequences of the violence in Liberia as well as a testament to what conviction, hope and belief can accomplish.

 “There were members of the cast that had lived through this civil war we were trying to recreate. They had their own experiences to draw from, [and] that made it all the more palatable when we were recording,” Batty said, “[Bex] has a remarkable eye for talent, and an incredible way with people.”

Perfecting the cast of Freetown is just one project in the docket of Bex’s busy career. In addition to his involvement with that movie, he is also the casting director for the upcoming film Children of the Mountain and acts in it, playing the love interest of a woman who has a special needs child. On top of that, he is a hunter in the upcoming film The Cursed Ones. Both films are expected to be released this year.

Although Bex already owns a successful IT company, QNS and Q-Vision Productions, performing fulfils a dream Bex had as early as his primary school days in St. Theresa’s, North Kaneshie, where he first started acting and dancing. Today, his resume boasts international involvement with projects in theatre, television, dance and film, and he still finds some free time to pursue his passion for music, playing the saxophone, drums and percussion.

In London, Bex acted in the play Rainbow Uprising, a Reggae musical featuring the music of Bob Marley that featured at the Astoria West End theatre and Saddlers Wells theatres. He played a role in The Amen Corner as well, which opened at the Central School of Speech and Drama, and began his now lengthy career on film with a role in the film Back Home Again, the tale of a Ghanaian returning home filmed in both London and Accra. Bex spent five years honing his dancing craft with Brekete, a dance group that performs all over Europe in popular festivals including the World of Music, Arts, and Dance festival (WOMAD), Edinburgh Fringe, and the Reading Festival.

 After returning to Ghana, Bex wasted no time getting involved with both theatre and film productions, working with Rover man Productions in the plays Apartment N1 and Everyone Has a Secret, and delved into roles for television including The 5 Brides, Poisoned Bait and Ashes. Poisoned Bait can be seen on DSTV Africa Magic Channel 150 every Thursday at 8:30pm, and Ashes can be seen on Multi TV Joy Prime every Saturday at 8:30am.

His extensive credentials have enabled him to be a part of multiple projects with award-winning directors such as Leila Djansi. In addition to remarking about how Bex was so believable in his Poisoned Bait role that she had to hold her mouth to keep from laughing on set, when speaking about working with Bex on the film Trip to Hell Djansi said, “He came on set with his character prepared and it was perfect. That is an actor.”

Bex, an enstooled chief who serves as the Mankrado of Gbledi Gborgame in the Volta region, is enjoying his return to Ghana and has big plans for his future projects. One of those projects is the film Hosanna, a crowd-funded movie examining the hardships experienced by immigrants in America through one man’s compelling story. 

Support it on https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/hosanna–2.

“This is a great environment for inspiring creativity and getting involved in films and shows that really make an impact,” said Bex, I’m always excited to start the next project, and challenge myself to do something greater each time.”

USAID OUTDOORS PROMINENT GHANAIAN WOMEN

The United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) Ghana, in partnership with the Ministry of Gender, children and social Protection, in celebration of 2015 International Women’s Day, brought together leading women in business, entertainment, politics, health, education etc. under the theme  “Advancing, Women Empowerment” at the Labadi Beach Hotel in Accra.

It was a night of glamour, food, music and the celebration of the achievements of Ghanaian women with calls encouraging women to unite and support one another to progress as in unity lay strength from Her Excellency, Maltida  Amissah-Arthur(the second lady of the Republic of Ghana)Nana Konadu  Agyeman Rawlings(former first lady) and Mrs. Eva Lokko former Director General of GBC.

It was a vibrant night full of glamorous and influential women in Ghana with a key highlight of the night ,beong the screening of Shirley Frimpong –Manso’s film, “Love or Something like that”which  was followed with a dinner and panel discussion on women’s  issue and  HIV.

The film is being screened at various high schools and Tertiary Educational Institutions in Ghana,to educate younger people about HIV and sexual health.

Some prominent guests of the dinner included Efya, Gene West, Becca,  Wiyala, Yvonne Okoro, Stephanie Benson, Kokui Selormey, Jessica Opare  Saforo and many other leading women achievers in Ghana.

The founder of Ghana Women in Business and Leadership ,MD of OML Africa ,Anita Wiafe-Asinor expressed at the dinner that“ there is something amazing about when women come together, we love feeling inspired and motivated and  to do more.”

The night ended with a vote of thanks and networking when the women shared their experiences with one another  whiles enjoying each other’s company

THE TICK TOCK OF A CLOCK

As minute as it is, it has power

Our most valuable commodity
It offers you no luxury of waiting for you

 As events takes place the clock ticks

which turns  seconds into minutes,

Minutes into hours, hours into days

Whilst others  prioritize their tasks; others go about lazy in

What are you using yours for?

Unlike treasured gems , precious metals 

Other prized possessions, time can’t be hoarded;

Collected, earned or bought with hard work, money ,dignity, or  our soul

It slips away whether or not we choose to pack meaning into it.

Use it or lose it  

My hearts beat anytime I hear the clock tick tocks

Thoughts wavering through my mind;

Asking questions like  “can I  achieve my goals  on time”

I nod my head and say “I can”

Which intends   leads to unfulfilled plans.

We while away the finite number of hours in each day, thus

blaming others for our misfortune.

You are what you are because you never made that decision on time,

That idea that kept parading through your mind, yet were never written on time

So someone stole that opportunity that you long deserved.

 Ordinary people think merely of spending time, great   people think of using it.

The bad news is time flies , the good news is you are the pilot.

 So what are you?

Value the tick tock of a clock and you will be a  number one billionaire.

VLISCO WOMEN CAMPAIGN CONTINUES

The Vlisco Women’s Month Award, which is part of the celebrations, honors the outstanding achievements of West and Central African women by identifying and rewarding those who inspire others to realize their dreams.

The success of Vlisco Women’s Month in previous years has motivated the brand to continue the celebration of inspiring women of West and Central Africa during the whole month of March.

 This year’s theme is LIVE THE DREAM, a tribute to women who have the courage to turn their dreams into reality, despite the challenges they face in their daily lives.

As part of the celebration Babara Kanam an award-winning Congolese singer- songwriter   was unveiled as face of this year’s campaign.

The celebration has nominated three women in Ghana for the Vlisco Women’s Month Award 2015. Chosen by public vote, the winner, who becomes a Vlisco brand ambassador for 2015, will be revealed during the Vlisco Women’s Month Award Night on the 11^th April.

The public can find out more about the nominees and follow their activities at dream.vlisco.com. For a chance to win incredible prizes, they can vote for their favourite nominee online, by SMS or in-store.

The nominees for Vlisco Women’s Month 2015 in Ghana are:

Valerie Labi-Okudzeto

From an early age, Valerie Labi-Okudzeto, was always actively seeking opportunities that allowed her to innovate and create positive change. Today, she is the CEO of Clean Team Ghana, dedicated to improving sanitation services in Ghana. Her aim is revolutionise how waste is removed from households and furthermore catalyse innovation and commercialisation of municipal waste.

Vlisco nominated her because she is a young woman who has been making a difference from an early age. She is determined to use her business expertise in ways that will benefit the people of Ghana and to tackle a very important issue affecting Africa - sanitation. Her story is an inspiration to all especially the young people of Ghana.

Text Valerie to 1759 to vote for Valerie Labi-Okudzeto

Elizabeth Akua-Nyarko Patterson

Elizabeth Akua-Nyarko Patterson is the founder and executive director of the Girls Education Initiative of Ghana, a foundation that provides academic and financial support for girls including applicants with special needs. Her personal experience of acquiring a physical disability after a traumatic brain injury combined with academic research into this area compelled her to start the foundation and ensure that at least 10% of students admitted had a special need. 

Vlisco nominated her because we were touched by Elizabeth's story. The fact that despite all that had happened in her life she has proven that disability is not inability. She has strong values and a big dream of ensuring all girls and women have equal footing in Ghana and across the globe. Her story will inspire many women in Ghana

Text Elizabeth to 1759 to vote for Elizabeth Akua-Nyarko Patterson

Kokui Selormey

Kokui Selormey is the award winning co-host of a leading TV breakfast show and a classical singer. Her vocal talent has taken her to concert venues across the United States and Ghana with a repertoire ranging from classical music to traditional melodies. She uses her talents to help raise funds for many charitable causes and is an advisor to a non-governmental organization that supports the survival of children in Ghana.

Vlisco nominated her because Kokui Selormey is a leading Television and Radio personality in Ghana who inspires many young women who want to follow in her footsteps.  She also helps to educate Ghanaians on the beauty of classical music through her musical talent. She is very stylish and serves as an inspiration to most Ghanaian women.

Text Kokui to 1759 to vote for Kokui Selormey

 

The nominees in a pose at the event(from left Kokui,Elizabeth and Valerie)