Actor James Gardiner has responded to the comments made by renowned American filmmaker and actor, Spike Lee, that he was not aware that Ghana had a thriving film industry until he came to the country as part of the Creative Arts team that accompanied Vice President of the United States, Kamala Harris, during her three-day visit to Ghana.
Speaking in an interview on Accra-based Asaase Radio, the ‘Da 5 Bloods’ filmmaker also stated that he would have loved to communicate with people in the film industry and share some trade ideas, among others.
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“I did not know that there is a thriving film industry in Ghana, I know about Nigeria. And I made the point that it was publicised that I was coming and no one approached me from the film office. I would have loved to meet the people in the film industry here [in Ghana].”
🇺🇸Veteran filmmaker, Spike Lee says nobody in a 🇬🇭Ghana's film industry leadership has approached him on issues of the craft.
— Kenneth Awotwe Darko (@TheKennethDarko) March 30, 2023
"It was publicized that I was coming and no one has approached me frm the film office in Ghana."
How're we fumbling the bag at this point?
🎥Asaase Radio pic.twitter.com/5GQRXMGEr3
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James Gardiner in his response to these remarks of the award-winning American movie star stated that his response was not smart, probably because he was taken aback by the question.
He added that any smart person will not state emphatically that he was not aware that the country he was in at the time of making the remark did not have a thriving industry in a particular space when the reality on the ground was the opposite.
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James added that he felt Spike could just have been diplomatic and suggested that there were no plans that he meets people in the film industry so maybe, they will plan and do something in the future.
He further stressed that all things considered, Spike Lee’s comment can best be described as loose talk.
Watch the video of James Gardiner speaking about this below…
