Sunday 2 July 2023
Movie review: Gold Coast Lounge
by Vive Akugha
Gold Coast Lounge is a 2020 movie that tells a story of post-independence Ghana surrounding the events happening at the Gold Coast Lounge. The lounge is considered the number one spot for highlife, with a surplus of joy and alcohol. Daniel(Alphonse Menyo), the vice president of the Gold Coast Lounge and Wisdom(Pascal Aka) were recruited to help John Donkor (Adjetey Anang). John, the president and co-founder of the Gold Coast Lounge was released from prison. Daniel and Wisdom are not on the same page regarding a lot of things which intensifies with the return of John. The old government imprisoned him for the lounge’s long criminal history and despite his connections, he’s told to have a cleaner business.
He is told to stop the drugs and prostitution at his lounge before the new president’s inauguration in three weeks. He is told this to avoid any further hassles as the new government will be taking a firm stance against crime and corruption. He receives this information and accepts it as a challenge. With this, we experience the crossings, murders, conspiring, restructuring, ownership, and more as we follow along.
There are several topics including the need for an escape, rivalries, family, preferential treatment, betrayal, dignity, beliefs, and identity. There is an infusion of cultural and Western aspects including language and attire. The movie confronts neo-colonialism as well. This movie is a well-shot. It’s a great example of film noir and is well executed.
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Vive Akugha is a graduate from the Bachelor of Arts degree program at the University of Ottawa, majoring in Communications. She writes on social issues, well-being, and out of curiosity. Her major platform for writing is on Medium.com as @veevehhswritings. As a follower on there, you can sign up for her email list to be up-to-date on her posts. She is @Veevehhwrites on Twitter and Instagram. Feel free to share your opinions with her as she is with you.