The 2022 season will be marked in Cameroon and French-speaking Africa by the release of the film KANKAN, a biopic about the life of the famous Cameroonian humorist Jean Miché Kankan of his real name Dieudonné Afana. A film directed by Joseph Akama with Landry Nguetsa in the double role of Dieudonné Afana/Jean Miché Kankan.
This is certainly one of the most anticipated films of the 2022 Fall in Cameroon. On October 21, Cameroonian and French-speaking African film lovers will be able to discover the film KANKAN. First Cameroonian biopic and first feature for Cameroonian director Joseph Akama, the film traces a part of the life of famous Cameroonian humorist Jean Miché Kankan. Jean Miché Kankan of his real name Dieudonné Afana Ebogo, has marked entire generations by his character known from almost all Francophone Africa. With sketches broadcast on radio stations throughout Africa and numerous shows around the world, he is one of the key figures of humour in French-speaking Africa. The film is therefore a nice tribute for a pioneer who unfortunately could not enjoy the benefits of his immense talent. For the film’s producer, Claye Edou: “25 years after his death, he is still remembered but never had the honors of the big screen. In addition, despite his international reputation and the richness of his work, he never knew the financial ease.This was a good subject for a film and the biopic was the genre best suited to it. The fact that this is an area [genre, editor’s note] so little explored in Cameroonian cinema added to the appeal of this project.”
But before its official release on October 21, the film had a world premiere in Canada during the Montréal International Black Film Festival . After the screening of the film on September 24 during the festival, the audience was satisfied. And to top it all the festival has awarded the film a Special Mention.
The trailer unveiled on July 31, 2022 has begun to reveal a part of what will be the plot of this highly anticipated film. In the 2 minutes 30 that the video lasts, beyond the pieces of intrigues revealed, it is also the opportunity to discover the casting of this film with headliner Landry Nguetsa who plays the double role of Jean Miché Kankan and Dieudonné Afana. Two roles tailored for this Cameroonian actor and director who thus embodies his first major role in a feature film. The images of his performance are convincing, no doubt that he will reap many rewards with this role. There are also several other Cameroonian actors in the cast who have been on the rise in recent years: Assala Kofane (Enterrés), Virginie Ehana (Innocent-e, One Week), Félicité Asseh (The Eagle’s Nest), Manoella Nguetse (Innocent-e), Christian Aliguena (Bendskin), Arnaud Ndong (Jericho). And as a guest star, the production choose Eshu Tamwa (Nganu, Innocent-e, Madame Monsieur), a key figure in Cameroonian theatre, television and cinema. A cocktail of actors that lets consider a memorable film in the image of the icon that was Jean Miché Kankan.
Rostand Wandja
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