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Heart of Gold

Arts and Humanities Research Council

Documentary, 40 minutes, 2006.

Set in the Akim Abuakwa region of Ghana, Heart of Gold is a poetic documentary exploring the changing relationship people in the region have with gold. Traditionally considered to possess a spirit like any other sentient being, gold has played an imprtant part in the history and mythology of Ghana. This is still evident today, though this relationship is rapidly changing, as gold becomes a crucial part of the Ghanaian economy, controlled almost exclusively by multi-national companies.

By treating the mythology as equally factual as the observed empirical world, Heart of Gold is built on stories told by various people in the Akim Abuakwa region and these stories are woven together by an over-arching story of a young boy who finds a lump of gold in the river Brim and wonders what to do with it. This quest leads him to meet a number of people and have a number of experiences which enlighten us to the spiritual relationship that people still have to gold.

Featuring Kwasi Akufo as the boy, others appearing in the film include a retired jeweller, a chief’s elder spokeman, a fetish priestess, galamsay miners and other people from the small town of Kibi, situated in the heart of the region. Heart of Gold builds on some stylistic and thematic themes which Erik Knudsen first explored in his previous film set in Ghana, One Day Tafo.

While researching and shooting the film, Erik Knudsen wrote three reports which you can read on this site. Report one and two were written during his first research trip to Ghana, while report three covers the period of principal photography.

During the research for the film, Erik Knudsen conducted a number of interviews with people in the Kibi area of Ghana. These interviews formed the basis for the development of Heart of Gold and in some cases were creatively incorporated directly into the film.

FEATURING

Kwasi Akufo

with

Nana Kofi Asimei

Yaw Barima

Osei Hanson

Nana Afoakwa

Dartey Kumordzi

Yao Graham

Writer, director, cinematographer and editor

Erik Knudsen

Music by Lionel Lawson

Co-producer

Doris Adabasu Kuwornu

Heart of Gold Research Interviews

Research Interview with Kwasi Akufo

Research Interview with Yaw Barima and Osei Hansen

Research Interview with Nana Afuakwa

Research Interview with Dr Dartey Kurmandzi

Research Interview with Yao Graham

Project Research Question Production Report One Production Report Two Production Report Three Research Summary Report
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One Day films Limited is a small independent film production and distribution company based in Todmorden, just north of Manchester in the United Kingdom. The company is currently primarily engaged with the production of work by Erik Knudsen, but has active plans to develop a range of work by other filmmakers.

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  • Home
  • Films
    • True Calling
    • Cleft Lip
    • Doubt
    • The Rabbit
    • The Raven On The Jetty
    • In Waiting
    • The Silent Accomplice
    • Vainilla Chip
    • Heart of Gold
    • Sea of Madness
    • The Yoruba Tree
    • A Dog’s Farewell To His Master
    • Brannigan’s March
    • Bed of Flowers
    • Signs of Life
    • Reunion
    • One Day Tafo
  • Photography
    • Cuba In Waiting
    • Doubt Project
    • Farewell Papa Fidel
    • Lockdown Walks
  • Writing
  • StoryLab Research Network
  • About
    • Erik Knudsen
    • Janet Knudsen
    • Paul Clarke
    • Privacy Policy
  • Contact