Young Life in Freetown | Movies Here, There, and Everywhere



For many years, Sierra Leonean-made movies have lagged behind their West African neighbors. But movie productions are taking hold in Freetown once more, especially in local communities like Calaba Town.

One reason filmmaking slowed down was that almost everything collapsed during the war.  Another problem was the absence of experts. There were few people ready to nurse young talent with initiative or creativity for movies. Most of the people who are actors, actresses, and, directors have never had any real experience. They just felt the urge and started up with what they had. Now, experts are available on shooting movies, sound recording and reproduction, editing, and screening, all helping Sierra Leonean moviemakers reach their peak. The government is also helping to boost the entertainment industry.

Filmmakers in Sierra Leone are collaborating with partners in Liberia, Ghana, and Nigeria. Many a time, production teams come to Freetown to do movies. Similarly, production teams from Sierra Leone go to other West African countries. So far it's been a success because these titles are selling in the black African market. There are a lot of movies everywhere. Sierra Leone now has famous movie industry names like Jimmy B, Zainab Sillah, a.k.a. Gina, and Janice.

Calaba Town in Freetown has its own famous filmmakers too. Alusine Vidal Sesay is a director. He owns Island Movies and he's been training many young people who are interested in acting. Island Movies is currently shooting, “Highway Must Die,” a detective movie with horror, suspense, love, and loss. Sesay says private donors abroad are sponsoring the production.

Mohammed Turay, everyone calls him Mickey, studies photography at Milton Margai Teachers College in Freetown. He's showed his skills in movies like Ropoli, Bitter Experience and more. He's very good at what he does and wants to do more. His mentor is Ibrahim Kanu, a well-known photographer in Freetown. Mickey got his first camera from his brother who lives abroad. Now, he uses cameras like the 5D Mark, a Canon 5D Mark, 2.5D, Canon 7D, and Canon 600D. He charges Le 20,000 per scene. --- Inyilla Borteh Conteh reporting
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