Nakom

Nakom is a 2016 internationally co-produced drama film directed by Kelly Daniela Norris and T. W. Pittman.[1] The film had its world premiere at the 66th Berlin International Film Festival in the Panorama section[2] and was invited to have its North American premiere at the New Directors/New Films Festival in New York.[3]

Nakom
Film poster
Directed byKelly Daniela Norris
T. W. Pittman
Produced byIsaac Adakudugu
Kelly Daniela Norris
T.W. Pittman
Giovanni Ximénez
Written byIsaac Adakudugu
T. W. Pittman
StarringJacob Ayanaba
Music byDaby Balde
CinematographyBob Geile
Edited byTomas Vengris
Distributed byCorinth Films
Release date
  • 15 February 2016 (2016-02-15) (Berlin)
Running time
90 minutes
CountryGhana
United States
LanguageKussal

Plot

An intimate narrative from Northern Ghana, Nakom follows Iddrisu, a talented medical student who must return to his home village after his father's sudden death and fight for his family's survival.

Cast
  • Jacob Ayanaba as Iddrisu Awinzor
  • Grace Ayariga as Damata
  • Justina Kulidu as Senior Mother
  • Shetu Musah as Junior Mother
  • Abdul Aziz as Kamal
  • Esther Issaka as Fatima
  • James Azure as Chief of Nakom

Reception

Nakom won the Audience Choice Award at the 37th Durban International Film Festival.[4] It was nominated for the Best First Feature Award at the 66th Berlin International Film Festival. At the Hong Kong International Film Festival, it was nominated for the FIPRESCI Prize, the Golden Firebird Award, and the SIGNIS Award.[5] At the Seattle International Film Festival, it was nominated for the New Directors Competition.[6] It has been nominated for the 2016 Independent Spirit John Cassavetes Award.[7]

Dennis Harvey for Variety positively reviewed Nakom after its world premiere at the Berlinale. He wrote "for U.S.-based co-directors Kelly Daniela Norris and TW Pittman, [Nakom] doesn't have the outside-looking-in feel of similar international co-productions, but there's an air of authenticity as well as a pleasingly laid-back yet substantive narrative engagement to this polished effort."[8]

John DeFore for The Hollywood Reporter wrote "a cast of non-actors acquits itself very nicely here, and the nature of the shoot — in which locals played key roles in the low-budget production — make the film's polish all the more impressive ... a strong performance from star Jacob Ayanaba should win fans at fests and play well to a niche audience on video." [9]

In Manohla Dargis's "favorites" for the New Directors/New Films program, she wrote "NAKOM is made memorable through the graceful visuals, gentle pacing and deep feeling that the directors T. W. Pittman and Kelly Daniela Norris bring to this story.[10]

"Kelly Daniela Norris and T.W. Pittman's Nakom immediately announces itself as a modest triumph of world-building," says Wes Greene at Slant. "Nakom depicts a culture rarely ever shown on screen, and yet Iddrisu's struggle to move forward without betraying his upbringing reflects feelings that are unmistakably universal."[11]

References
  1. "Nakom". Berlinale. Retrieved 16 February 2016.
  2. "Berlinale 2016: Panorama Celebrates Teddy Award's 30th Anniversary and Announces First Titles in Programme". Berlinale. Retrieved 20 December 2015.
  3. "Complete Lineup Announced for 45th New Directors/New Films". Film Society of Lincoln Center. 18 February 2016. Retrieved 27 November 2016.
  4. "Durban International Film Festival - Audience Choice Awards at the 37th Durban International Film Festival". Retrieved 27 November 2016.
  5. "Awards - The 40th Hong Kong International Film Festival". 40.hkiff.org.hk. Archived from the original on 17 June 2016. Retrieved 27 November 2016.
  6. "CAPTAIN FANTASTIC, GLEASON, GIRL ASLEEP WIN TOP AWARDS AT THE 42ND SEATTLE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL". Seattle International Film Festival. 12 June 2016. Retrieved 27 November 2016.
  7. D'Alessandro, Anthony (22 November 2016). "Spirit Awards Nominations: 'Moonlight', 'American Honey', 'Manchester' & 'Jackie' Rally". Deadline. Retrieved 28 November 2016.
  8. Harvey, Dennis (26 February 2016). "Film Review: 'Nakom'". Variety. Retrieved 27 November 2016.
  9. "'Nakom': Film Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 27 November 2016.
  10. Dargis, Manohla; Scott, A. O. (15 March 2016). "At New Directors/New Films, a Glimpse of the Otherworldly". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 28 November 2016.
  11. "Nakom | Film Review | Slant Magazine". Slant Magazine. Retrieved 28 November 2016.
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