Toronto Pictures: The Present and Future of Socially Conscious Filmmaking
OM-Times: Were you familiar with the practice of Trokosi before this film? How did your family members feel about you being part of the movie and were they supportive?
Tonye Akagbo: I come from a town called Atiavi in the Volta Region of Ghana where Trokosi is practiced. PUNCTURED HOPE has personally enlightened me about how our women are brutally treated after being sent to the shrine to serve the fetish priests.
Nobody in my family has ever experience Trokosi. I was very happy about starring in a movie that reveals the evil deeds of our people who practiced it. My family was initially non-supportive, but after I explained the importance of the movie and its benefits to our country, they understood and gave me all of their support.
Ruffy Quansah: Yes, I was familiar with the practice of Trokosi but, thankfully, my family was never directly affected. Participating to this groundbreaking production has been an experience of a lifetime!
OM-Times: What was your experience working with Director Bruno Pischiutta and Producer Daria Trifu?
Tonye Akagbo: My experience working with Bruno and Daria was and continues to be wonderful, amazing and challenging.
Ruffy Quansah: Bruno is one of the greatest directors of our time and definitely the best director I have ever worked with!
OM-Times: What character did you play in PUNCTURED HOPE and how did you prepare for your role?
Tonye Akagbo: I played the character of Tonye. Tonye is a young woman who was born in the shrine and was sexually abused by the fetish priest and his guards. As a result, she grew-up very timid and afraid. One day, as she goes to the river to fetch some water, she meets two of the girls who are running away from the shrine. She believes that the one way to help those girls is to report them to the priest because, to her, they – the Trokosi slaves – have no home apart from the shrine. I prepared for my role through the rehearsals conducted by Bruno.
Ruffy Quansah: My character’s name is Amegatse. The role is a very important one because my character argues against everything that Trokosi stands for. The practice of Trokosi is forcing young girls to pay for crimes that they have never committed and, as part of the atonement, they are forced to sleep with old men. Trokosi is practiced in the name of tradition.
OM-Times: Were there moments during the filming when you became emotionally overwhelmed?
Tonye Akagbo: Yes. Often.
Ruffy Quansah: I was overwhelmed when they had to shave the lead actress’ hair in preparation for her induction into the shrine.
OM-Times: What effect and message do you hope viewers take with them after they watch PUNCTURED HOPE?
