Living an Artist’s Life – Portraits aus Ghana und Malawi

The film portrays the everyday lives of seven ambitious artists from Malawi and Ghana who are torn between authenticity, making a living, global recognition, and stereotypical expectations. They are trying to secure their families’ existence through their art while also realizing their own potential. Wyson Bowman is a fashion designer in Blantyre, Malawi. He loves fashion, but is known as the “Suit Man” for his suits which meet quality standards usually only found in South Africa. George Spratz is a guitarist of traditional Palm Wine Music in Kumasi, Ghana, and also a pastor. In Accra, Teresa Menka photographs people in their daily lives, while Vivian Boateng runs a dance school that connects tradition with modernity. Samuel Ndalema, also from Blantyre, creates sculptures from scrap metal to raise awareness about the sustainable use of resources. 18-year-old Jackline Chimatula from Lilongwe dreams of becoming the best drummer in the world, while Ellastas Msiska dreams of becoming an actress. But due to her sick mother, she cannot leave.

Between art and everyday life, these seven individuals have their own worries, hopes, ideas – and good reasons to stay.