Chris Attoh: Sky Is Not The Limit
When television show host and meteoric master of ceremonies, (MC), Chris Attoh went missing suddenly from his favourite Miss Malaika beauty pageant in September this year, observers began spinning stories about his absence.
Some people even suggested that Charterhouse, the organisers of the pageant, had fired him. "No! I was in Nigeria shooting a new television series for M-Net," the ebony black beau told Showbiz in a chat but stopped short of giving out details of the TV series for contractual reasons.
According to Chris, some Nigerian directors had also being throwing offers at him to star in their movies but it is now clear that the smooth talking Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology-trained fine artist has "swerved" the Nigerians and "come home to act".
Chris said though the monetary offers from the Nigerian directors were quite good, his heart was not in Nigeria but he was looking for a local director who could challenge him enough to take up a role in a Ghanaian movie.
"I have turned away some offers from Ghanaian directors too because I did not see what was happening here as good enough to get involved but the Life And Living It project was different," he said.
When Miss Ghana pageant organiser cum film director, Shirley Frimpong-Manso invited Chris to star in her maiden production, "Life and living it," the young host of popular television music and celebrity show, "Rhythms" was more than tempted — he fell for the offer and grabbed the opportunity with both hands.
And why not, Chris saw the opportunity to launch his movie career on the same set with his ex sister-in-law and celebrated actress, Rama Brew and, her sister, Bibie Brew too exciting to overlook.
Again with seasoned and professional actors and actresses like Brew Riverson Jnr, Adjetey Anang aka Pusher, Fritz Baffour, Vivienne Achor and Irene Opare in the cast, Chris saw good company.
"Not just that, I also realised that the director, Shirley, was also very open minded, had a good story that was not about 'juju' and she was also ready to share ideas," Chris pointed out.
He added that his ultimate dream is to become a world renowned film director and expressed the hope that his association with Shirley and his role in Life And Living It will serve as a spring board for the achievement of his long term dream.
Chris Attoh's father, Fred Attoh was said to be the first man to bring colour photography to Ghana with the establishment of the popular “Studio Fred Attoh”.
That may explain why the young man is so comfortable in front of the camera — still or motion. His niece, Michelle Attoh and her mother, Rama Brew are simply thrilling on set and Chris' romance with the movie industry could be said to be a chip of the family's acting block.
Chris maiden movie, Life And Living It is the director, Shirley's look at four thirty-something-year-old friends who have to shed off their idealistic outlook on life and embrace the harsh realities of adulthood.
The movie is a heart-warming realistic work that touches on life, sex, instant attractions, tough decisions, imperfections and insecurities as well as the consequences of sometimes taking easy roads in life.
Other actors who caught the eye of the National Film and Television Institute (NAFTI)-trained director, Shirley Frimpong-Manso, were Nana Kwame Osei Sarpong of M-Net Survivor Africa fame, Caroline Yankson, Deconte Thompson, Selima Awudu, Benny Fiifi Ashun, Zynnel Zub, Valentina Lawerh, Mary Magdalene Mensah and Benita Calvin Asem.
According to Shirley, after a successful showing in Ghana she hopes to present Life And Living It at various film festivals around the world.
By William A. Asiedu