Ghanaian highlife band Kwan Pa is expanding its artistic horizons by venturing into film, with the premiere of their movie titled Sweet Palmwine set for October 26, 2024, at the Silverbird Cinemas in Accra.
In an interview on Showbiz A-Z with Kwame Dadzie, band leader Asah Nkansah explained that the film is part of their mission to promote and preserve palmwine highlife music. “We released a six-track EP and instead of working on individual videos for all the songs, we decided to pick the stories in the songs and then put together a movie. Basically, we wanted to do something that will have palmwine music in there, so that even if the band is not there physically to perform, once you get the movie and you watch, you still experience palmwine music,” he said.
Sweet Palmwine is designed as a music drama and romantic comedy, modeled after Egbert Adjesu’s 1970 film I Told You So. “This one is a music drama and it is also a romantic comedy rated ‘Universal’, which means it is safe for all age groups to watch,” Asah added.
The film’s production was managed by Wahala Entertainment and features a talented cast that includes Aaron Adatsi, Pascaline Edwards, Fred Amugi, and Willie Chambers, among other notable Ghanaian actors.
The premiere will take place at both the Accra Mall and Westhills Mall locations of Silverbird Cinemas, with two showtimes at 7 PM and 9 PM. Tickets are priced at 100 cedis.
Kwan Pa, formed on July 31, 2017, has gained a significant following for its unique blend of traditional and modern highlife music. The band has performed at numerous national events and toured internationally. Known for their use of traditional instruments alongside contemporary styles, they released their six-track Palmwine Music EP in 2022, featuring hits such as “Mr. Traveller,” “Culinary Battle,” “Gyato,” “Ice Water,” “Aduane Nyinya,” and “Immediate Effect.”
The band consists of four members Frederick Kwame Minamor, Bismark Kwabena Safo, Evans Ntieh, and Andrew Asah Nkansah who each play a musical instrument and contribute vocals, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of palmwine highlife music.
