Past screening

Sakawa

Directed by: Ben Asamoah
Runtime: 1hr 21min Year: 2018
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Details

Directed by: Ben Asamoah
Runtime: 1hr 21min Year: 2018
Country: Belgium, The Netherlands
Last Screened: Wed 17th Jul 2019

The electronic waste in Ghana is a treasure trove of information. With a mine of personal details among the detritus, a group of internet scammers develop romantic relationships through dating websites, in the pursuit of an income.

There’s a treasure trove of information to be found in the poisonous e-waste in Ghana. It’s a relatively simple matter to open up hard drives and gain access to photos and the personal details of their former owners. Equipped with a name and address, almost anybody can be found online.

The film follows Ama, a young mother, who tries to become an internet con artist. A more seasoned scammer tries to teach her the craft, but she doesn’t appear to have much of a knack for it.

One Dollar is a master at his craft and knows how to use his fake account to drive men crazy: they fall for the photo of a buxom woman—and for his high-pitched voice. But how much compassion can you expect from someone who is buying €250 worth of fish for his boss every week, while he is only earning €12 a month himself? Sakawa shows these fraudulent activities from the perspective of Belgian-Ghanaian director Ben Asamoah.