Ghanaian actor and filmmaker Kwadwo Nkansah, popularly known as LilWin, has recounted the production challenges he faced while filming his upcoming movie, Journey to Africa (Nzulezu), revealing that several Nigerian actors initially refused to return to the set after three days of shooting because they were uncomfortable travelling on water.
LilWin became emotional while recounting the experience, explaining that the production was particularly demanding because the cast and crew had to travel by boat for about 40 minutes to reach the filming location in Nzulezu, a community in Ghana’s Western Region known for its houses built on stilts over water.
According to the filmmaker, the Nigerian stars asked for the production to be relocated after three days on set, creating a major challenge for the team because Nzulezu was central to the film’s storyline.
“After three days of shooting the movie, all the stars said they would not return to the set or travel on the water again,” he recounted. “They asked for the movie to be shot somewhere else, but the storyline was about Nzulezu, where people live on the water, and the entire story was based there. All the stars refused to go back on the water to continue shooting, and there was confusion.”
LilWin said relocating the production was not a straightforward option because the story was built around Nzulezu and its distinctive way of life. The team had also planned to complete filming within a week, putting additional pressure on the production.
He explained that he had to engage the actors individually and reassure them in an effort to persuade them to continue shooting at the location.
Despite the difficulties, LilWin said he understood the actors’ concerns, suggesting that a fatal drowning involving a fellow actor during the filming of a water scene may have contributed to their fears.
“I don’t blame the Nigerian stars because, not long ago, one of their colleagues drowned and died while shooting a water scene for a movie,” he said. “So, to some extent, I understood their concerns.”
Journey to Africa (Nzulezu) features several prominent Nollywood actors, including Kanayo O. Kanayo, Patience Ozokwo, Mike Ezuruonye, Charles Awurum, Zubby Michael and Destiny Etiko.
LilWin has described the project as an international production.
By: Mary Anna Cofie