Culture

A letter to Geldof: Documentary challenges the role of celebrities in Africa

by worldwrite | March 15, 2007 at 04:57 am

623 views | 2 Recommendations | 8 comments

Bob Geldof visited Ghana for the TV series Geldof in Africa and wrote about it in the accompanying book, describing his crowning as the Chief of Development in a town called Ajumako-Bisease. This documentary follows in Geldof's footsteps one year on, and finds a town still waiting to hear from him. A timely reflection on the meaning of promises, the role of celebrity, and the true impact of "awareness campaigns" that leave those we are meant to better understand with nothing but
shattered dreams. This year it’s the 50th anniversary of Ghana's independence from British colonial rule; for the full story - a 28-minute documentary now available on DVD - please visit our website at www.worldwrite.org.uk/lettertogeldof/buydvd.html

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yurikotaki

at 06:09 on March 15th, 2007

This film was sensational. I started to be interested in how celebrity people will deal with a African issue: if they do have a real commitment or they are just abusing an issue to build a good image of themselves.

angieWW

at 04:41 on March 20th, 2007

A great film on what's really happening in Africa.

sobrelaluna

at 04:09 on April 17th, 2007

I can't believe this man would rope an entire village into his lies to uphold his "image!"

Theresac

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 10:27 on May 26th, 2007

I think it would be better if celebrities and Western politicians stop using Africa to make their lives mean something. It is perfectly sick making. I think this film reveals valuable incites and at least challenges tiresome rock stars like saint Bob who have treated this town with utter contempt, i wish this story was much better known and perhaps fewer people would believe the hype.

sadsme

at 12:56 on July 11th, 2007

Geldof and his coterie of self-important people - read Bono and Blair have tried too hard to place themselves on the map of 'development'. Of course, any meaningful development is off the map of <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />Africa. Good job WORLDwrite, on challenging the sham. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />