Gambian features in Dream Kweens Movie

Pa Ousman Joof, a Gambian based in Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America was recently featured in the first movie exclusively acted by Africans in the USA which finally came out on Saturday November 25th 2007.
Produced by the  African-all-star Cameroonian Lady Kate Atabong Njeuma who is also the organizer of the Miss Africa USA Pageant, "Dream Kweens", set in Atlanta, Georgia, made its world debut on August 11, when it was screened at a red carpet premiere which took place at the Elegance Lounge in Decatur, Ga – USA.

Dream Kweens" tells the story of a young Cameroonian immigrant invited to America by a family that promises to help her through university. While in  America, she realises that her family cannot afford to give her the education promised. This leads her to chase her childhood dream of becoming a model, a career that is culturally unacceptable. Challenged on all fronts, she is  determined to succeed. The movie is a story of struggle, cultural bias, passion and the sweetness of success. Will she succeed? Find out in the movie.

The film  is very African with actors from six different African countries: Cameroon, Congo, Nigeria, Benin, Gambia and Kenya. The main character, Jamillah, is played by Congolese artist Soleil Diva. The bodyguard is played by Nollywood actor Robert Peters from Nigeria while Pa Ousman Joof from the Gambia plays Mr. Palace (the Director of the Modeling Agency to which Jamillah belongs). Other lead roles are played by Sammy Ngalame, Herman Mbiki, Louise Nunga, Becky Eko Samuel, Lady Kate Njeuma and Nabillah Ndansi -- all Cameroonians. Director Ebeny Amstrong is a well-established cinematographer in Georgia.

Pa Ousman Joof is the only Gambian in the movie which stars Robert Peters,the famous Nigerian actor. What a plus for the Gambia. When asked how he got involved in the movie, he explained: “as the president of Gambian Talents Promotion, I have been working with Lady Kate for the past 3 years in helping to recruit the Gambian girls in to the ANNUAL Miss Africa USA Pageant.

As an organizing committee member, I help with some of the logistics and promoting the pageant.  Over the years, our relationship grew and when she told me about her desire to produce a movie, I could not do any better than join her in doing what I love to do (acting) even though I have been involve with other projects so much that I did not have time to be involved in any drama related projects.

Therefore, she motivated me to get back to my hobby and future career at the right time. I had fun acting the role of Mr. Palace and I did enjoy every stage of the production process,” he said. The Gambian-born started acting at the age of 5 while attending the Papa Kebba Memorial Nursery School in Farafenni. He acted during Commonwealth days as well as Gambia's Independence Day Celebrations. He continued acting through his primary and junior secondary school days and at the Scout Association in Farafenni.

As a result of his dynamism, versatility and active participation in those institutions, he was elected as the public relations officer of the Farafenni Community Drama Troupe ‘HAMSA BOPA DRAMA TROUPE which he served very well until he moved to the Greater Banjul Area. His total involvement in the activities of the community created a name for him in the 4 corners of the North Bank Region where he was very popular representing the region in a lot of regional events and gatherings across the length and breath of the Gambia and neighbouring Senegal offering voluntary services.

Through out his life, he has acted different roles at different places including the role of a King, Chief, a sickler, a mad man, a clown, a diplomat etc. He has featured in several movies including “Attaya boys” “Child of my inheritence”, “Badou boy” “Xew xew  jamano” “Can life be the same again, hekhs hekhs”, “sun set at dawn” (which won the Jury Award in Ghana 2003).

He was  former president of the St Augustine's High School Drama group and featured in several movies and series which were aired on both the radios and TV in the Gambia.  One of his plays ‘Dishonest Beggars' won a runner up position during the Search for Young Gambian Writers 2001 usually organized by the American Embassy in the Gambia. His excellent acting skills made the Nova Scotia Gambia Association (NSGA) hire him as the coordinator of its street drama troupe in 2002. He has also worked for the National Youth Council of the Gambia as their regional drama team coordinator and trainer until he moved to the USA. Since he came to America in March 2004, he has been mostly concentrating on writing scripts and trying to adapt to the American society while establishing himself. He has written several scripts, which are yet to be produced. Pa is currently working with Saidou’s photography and Video Production in Atlanta in tapping, nurturing and promoting various talents exhibited by Gambians all over the world.
 
He has ever had the Gambia at heart and is doing everything possible to put our beloved country on the map.

For more information on the movie, you may log onto  www.shrineofafrica.com
 
Mbaye Nderr warms up for new year concerts

Barely two months after the successful release of his new CD album, the  Senegalese king of mbalax Alioune Mbaye Nderr and Le Setsima group is back again with full force. He is currently warming up to storm the Smiling Coast of The Gambia on the 5th,6th and 7th at various entertainmet centres. Organised by Champion Sounds Promotions, this will be his first appearance after the release of his new CD called “Confiance”  which comprises ten tracks sounds. Meanwhile, some of the hit tunes in this newly released album include “Confiance, Sans Abri, Netali, Manayla, Takk-Tayle, Mandingo, Lennen”. According to Lamin Cham this show will be an elctricfying moment as the the Senegalese King of Mbalax is back once again with full force.

‘Don’t wait to be told, come and see for your self.This is the moment Gambian people have been yearning for. He is now coming to town,” he said.

According Pa Malick Secka, programme coordinator of Champion Sounds Promotions, this will be the return of the king of Mbalax adding that it will also concides with the lauching of his newest album ‘Confiance,”. This album will be launched on the 6th at Jama Hall, Kairaba Beach Hotel.