The best of Shirley Frimpong on Showmax

Shirley Frimpong-Manso always wondered why women were weak and passive in the Ghanain films she watched growing up. They were a stark contrast to the strong, independent women who raised her. Worried about the damaging effects of these films, Frimpong-Manso decided to change the image of Ghana’s women on-screen. And she did. In her movies, women are not subjects of men. They lead their world. They are tough and can handle international investigations as in the crime thriller Potomanto. They can make relationship choices that suit them despite society’s expectations as in The Perfect Picture.

Showmax has a wide-ranging catalogue of her films and series, check them out below.

Dede

Dede is a naïve but ambitious teenager who’s hated by her stepmother and adored by her father. Her stepmother deceives her into leaving her father’s home to work as a maid for the Robertsons, a wealthy family with a house of a commotion.

Why you should watch it: It is a charming series with plenty of life lessons on kindness, love and chasing dreams.

Who’s in it? Adomaa Adjeman, Joselyn Dumas, Adjetey Anang.

Shampaign 1 & 2

Naana Bruce Quansah is a determined single mother who wants to be the first female president of Ghana. To succeed, she must wrestle with political opponents who do not see beyond her femininity and her team members, who have secrets that could hurt her chances.

Why you should watch it: It is one of Shirley Frimpong-Manso’s most impressive female-centric stories because it examines the Ghanaian political terrain from a woman’s point of view.

Who’s in it? Joselyn Dumas, Blossom Chukwujekwu, John Dumelo, Jot Agyeman, Nana Aba Anamoah.

Grey Dawn (2015)

A thought-provoking drama about the futility of integrity. Harold, a government minister, has to choose between aiding his father-in-law escape jail time or allow the rule of law to take its course. He makes a decision that alters his home forever, one that he lives to regret.

Why you should watch it: Frimpong-Manso explores the human condition; there are neither villains nor heroes, just flawed humans.

Who’s in it? Bimbo Manuel, Funlola Aofiyebi-Raimi, Marlon Mave and Sika Osei.

Love or Something Like That (2014)

It’s rarely a good thing when an ex reappears in your life, but in this romantic drama, it is the worst thing that could have happened. Kwalay seems to have it all. She is happily married to the man of her dreams and has a thriving career as a medical doctor. But when she discovers she has gotten HIV from her ex-boyfriend who raped her, her life is turned upside down.

Why you should watch it: A film by a female director tackling rape and its lingering effect is always a good watch.

Who’s in it? Joselyn Dumas, John Dumelo and O. C. Ukeje.

Devil in the Detail (2014)

The premise is simple: a man’s infidelity threatens his perfect marriage. But while most (male) directors would put the wife at the husband’s mercy, Frimpong-Manso brings in other ideas into this entertaining, edgy romance thriller. Laced with suspenseful flashbacks that give the film a psychological edge, Devil in the Detail is one of her best movies yet.

Why you should watch it: Lead actors Adjatey Anang and Nse Nkpe-Etim are excellent. Also, the film is masterly suspenseful.

Who’s in it? Adjetey Anang, Nse Nkpe, Ama Ampofo and Smith Asante.

Potomanto (2013)

An excellent African take on organ harvesting. Taking a break from her glitzy stories, Potomanto focuses on a heartbroken ex-cop, Andane, who now works as a private investigator. He is hired by the elderly Bankole to monitor his young fiancée. This investigation leads Adanne into a murky world of organ trafficking and brings him face-to-face with the demons of his past.

Why you should watch it: True to Frimpong-Manso’s style, there are a few strong female characters, including an ass-kicking detective.

Who’s in it? Olu Jacobs, Adjetey Anang, Yvonne Okoro and Marie-Humbert.

The Perfect Picture (2009)

A hilarious romantic drama about love, the pursuit of it and the challenges that come with that. The Perfect Picture follows three Ghanian women – Aseye, Dede and Akaysie –  and documents their relationship issues. Aseye is recently married to a man who can’t get it up, Dede seems only to meet married men who are single and Akaysie is a career lady who’s being begged to settle down, but she doesn’t want to settle for less.

Why you should watch it: The film shows how women from different walks of life are affected by a patriarchal society.

Who’s in it? Chris Attoh, Jackie Appiah, Adjetey Anang and Lydia Forson.