The film tracks the highs and lows of Paa Joe’s life as the elder statesman of Ghana’s fantasy coffin trade tries to get himself back on top and secure a legacy for himself and his family.
Paa Joe was an early pioneer of the Ghanaian tradition and has taught many of Accra’s greatest carpenters.
Paa Joe is a renowned Ghanaian coffin sculptor whose eccentric and colourful coffin designs have been exhibited all over the world. Taking inspiration from everyday objects, Paa Joe’s work is embedded in the Ghanaian tradition to honour the dead and is reminiscent of the extravagance of ancient Egyptian royal tombs. From aeroplanes to mobiles, sharks to beer bottles, each coffin has its own personal stamp to reflect and celebrate the character of the deceased.
‘Paa Joe & The Lion’ was directed by British filmmaker,Benjamin. Read about how he set up a crowdfunding for the project here:
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