Freetown (film)

Freetown
Directed by Garrett Batty
Produced by Adam Abel and Garrett Batty
Written by Garrett Batty and Melissa Leilani Larson
Starring Henry Adofo, Michael Attram, Alphonse Menyo
Distributed by Excel Entertainment
Release date
  • April 8, 2015 (2015-04-08) (USA)
Running time
 113 minutes
Language English

Freetown is a 2015 film based on a true story[1] about Mormon missionaries in Liberia seeking to escape the Liberian Civil War to safety in Sierra Leone.[2]

Plot

Father Aboubakar and six missionaries stuck in Monrovia city that currently in First Liberian Civil War. In order to continue teaching they set an escape plan towards northern border with Sierra Leone, so they can practice preach without fear of being killed. Out of 6 Young Missionaries Forkpah,Menti,Meyers,Nyaforh,Selli and Gaye only Gaye are from Krahn tribe. The local rebellion leader, Ansa are targeting those from Krahn Tribe that killed his father no matter the Krahn men or women. He also seek revenge since the President in office, Samuel Doe are Krahn. Luckily, one of the local rebellion Momulu, recognize him since he regularly preached at the same church. Took him away then released him to join Aboubakar on a trip to border. The seven escapee congested in 5 seater old red painted drive by Aboubakar. Ansa, furious over the missing of the local father track them into border to ensure Gaye did not leave the country to Freetown.

In every checkpoint, they sacrifice all their belongings to pass through any checkpoint. The team made it to nearest small town that has petrol pump, unfortunately with left no money. They traded all they had with litres of petrol to helped them reaching nearest border. Once they reached the border, they found out the bridge are closed for any tresspasses. Adding salt to the wound, Father Aboubakar dissapointed with them after no ID paper, Passport since none of them ever leave the country. The escapees seems to have no hope to cross onto Sierra Leone. With some prayer, Father Aboubakar heard a sound of ferry carrier. They are just an inch closed to get to Sierra Leone, out of the sudden they caught by Ansa & Momulu. Anse furiously tried to kill Gaye before he able to do so, Momulu with escorted from Army stopped him and arrested. Momulu abandone Ansa then join side with the Missionaries. The 7 missionaries are safe to crossing border and reach freetown to united with Mr & Mrs. Cunningham. They settled in Freetown for 7 years until the civil war ended.

Principal Photography

The filming was done entirely in West Africa.[3][4]

Nomination

The film was nominated for several Ghana Movie Awards: Actor in a Leading Role (Henry Adofo), Screenplay (Melissa Leilani Larson and Garrett Batty), Original Score (Kirk Sharpe), Visual Effects (Davin Bekins), Production Design (Albert Aidoo and Courage Wormenor), Cinematography (Jeremy Prusso), Sound Editing and Mixing (George Dankwa), Directing (Garrett Batty), and Best Picture. It won the screenplay award over the also-nominated films If Tomorrow Never Comes, Beasts of No Nation, The Cursed Ones, and Silver Rain.[5]

The film is shortlisted for an AML Award.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Mason, Kara (23 March 2015). "Film 'Freetown' inspired by LDS Liberian missionaries' real-life struggle for survival". The Digital Universe. Provo, Utah. Retrieved 11 Feb 2016.
  2. ↑ Jennings, Abby (3 July 2015). "Story of Liberian Missionaries Depicted in the Movie Freetown". Church News. Salt lake City. Retrieved 11 Feb 2016.
  3. ↑ Means, Sean P. (7 Apr 2015). "Movie review: 'Freetown' a solid drama of LDS missionaries in peril". Tribune. Salt Lake City. Retrieved 11 Feb 2015.
  4. ↑ Gambles, Sarah (7 Apr 2015). "'Freetown' is an inspirational movie of faith-filled missionaries fleeing for their lives". Deseret News. Salt Lake City. Retrieved 11 Feb 2015.
  5. ↑ "Full list of winners at Ghana Movie Awards 2015". GhanaWeb. Retrieved 11 Feb 2016.
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