Curious director wins at Docs without Borders

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AUCKLAND, Thursday: Curious is celebrating the achievement of London-based NZ director Sasha Rainbow, whose short documentary Kofi and Lartey was a hit at the Docs without Borders Film Festival in Paris over the weekend, winning an Award of Excellence in Direction, an Award of Excellence in Cinematography, an Award of Excellence in Human Spirit and, an Award of Excellence in Environmental Issues.

Filmed in Agbogbloshie, a commercial district at the centre of Ghana’s e-waste problem, Rainbows’ film follows the story of a former resident, Abdallah, who spent years extracting copper from e-waste to eventually fund his education.

Now, his mission in life is to help educate the children of Agbogbloshie, and this is what forms the origin of Rainbow’s project with two 12-year-old boys, Kofi and Lartey, at the heart of the story.

“She’s also a sought-after global commercials director, and has directed spots for Puma, Toyota and Lancome.”

This isn’t the first accolade for the talented filmmaker – earlier this year ‘Kofi and Lartey’ won the Audience Award at the Sunday Shorts Film Festival.

Agbogbloshie is also the setting for English band Placebo’s Life’s What You Make It music video, also shot by Rainbow.

Rainbow is a vivid storyteller who weaves bold and alluring visuals with authentic performances, earning her scores of screenings at festivals all over the world. Casting a light on social issues is pivotal to her filmmaking, with ‘Kofi and Lartey’ being no exception.

She’s also a sought-after global commercials director, and has directed spots for Puma, Toyota and Lancome.

“Sasha’s work is both incredibly cool and vibrantly powerful. ‘Kofi and Lartey’ is a stunning piece of cinema, with an important message and we’re so proud Sasha has been recognised for this.”, says Curious Managing Director and Executive Producer Kate Roydhouse.

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