THE NEW GHANAIAN | 26 | FOCUSING MORE ON THE COMMUNITY
Sports & Leisure
Majid Michel heads to Hollywood in September
Although the muchanticipated Ghana premiere of the movie ‘Somewhere in Africa’ never happened as advertised in July, the excitement and anticipation is moving to the US as the Los Angeles premiere has been slated for September 24. Erawoc Bros Group and Zebrachild Enter tainment (Majid Michel’s North American management) have collaborated with Heroes Productions (Executive Producer Kwame Boadu) and Raj Films (Director Frank Rajah Arase) to premiere the “Somewhere in Africa” in Los Angeles, California, Miami, Florida and Atlanta, Georgia. Other US Cities are in the works including collaborations with promoters in Maryland, Minesotta, Texas and New York. Majid has visited Hollywood leisurely, but this time around it’s for his fans. This is officially his first appearance in California and his promotional team in L.A. say the anticipation is just so crazy probably because most of Majid’s appearances have been in the Eastern part of the
United States. But of course L.A. is definitely ready for him. Reggie Erawoc comments, “We want to expose Majid to his fans in markets such as California and Miami where Majid has a much broader fan base that travels deep into the West Indies with demographics including Haitians, Jamaicans, Trinidadians and recently Central and South America. Coming to L.A. is significant, Majid’s Hollywood journey has already started and there are things in the works, hopefully with time, his fans will have the opportunity to see him on the big screen of Hollywood.” ‘Somewhere in Africa’, which has already been nominated for twelve Nollywood and African Film Critics Award and 10 Zafaa Awards, has been reported to be one of the biggest budget films coming out of Ghana. Majid Michel (nicknamed Shaker, born September 22, 1980) is a Majid was born in Cantonments, Accra, Ghana, the son of a Lebanese father and a Ghanaian mother. Along with
his other nine siblings, Majid grew up in Accra, Ghana. He attended St. Theresa’s Primary School, and later, the Mfantsipim School, the alma mater of Van Vicker and also of former United Nations Secretary-General, Kofi Annan. In secondary school, Majid was actively involved in theater and was a member of the school’s Drama Club. As a member of the drama club, Majid received a Best Actor Award in one of their performances on Emancipation Day in Cape Coast, Ghana. Majid entered professional acting by chance. He was invited to join the modeling agency, Super Model Agency, on the behest of his next door neighbor. The director of the modeling agency, now turned producer, invited him to participate in a new TV series (GTV), dubbed Things We Do for Love. Majid acquired his nickname “Shaker” on the set. His role on Things We Do for Love, was to be played by a Lebanese boy, and Majid attributes his acquiring the role to his Lebanese heritage. “Thing We Do for Love” became a success and propelled Majid into the mainstream. On the strength of his performance in “Things We Do for Love”, Majid was cast in his first movie “Divine Love” as the male lead, alongside Jackie Appiah as the female lead with Van Vicker in a supporting role. All three used their roles in the movie to debut their movie careers. “Divine Love” was a huge success turning Majid Michel, Jackie Appiah, and Van Vicker into household names across Ghana and to a large extent Nigeria. In 2008 Majid starred as the lead role in the film “Agony of the Christ”. This film received seven nominations at the African Movie Academy Awards in 2009.
Ace Actor, Sam Loco Efe Dies At 66
8 August 2011 - Lagos — Ace multi-talented actor Sam Loco Efe died yesterday in an hotel room in at Rapour Hotel, Amakaohai along Orlu road in Owerri, Imo state shortly after returning from location. He was in Owerri, to direct a film titled "Unknown Prophet". Sam Loco was said to have
asked the cast and crew of the new film to return to their hotel rooms, hoping to continue the shooting the following morning. S o u r ces t o l d Va n g u a r d yesterday that his colleagues who were worried when he didn't come down for breakfast had alerted the hotel management and after banging on the door of
his room, forced the door open only to discover his lifeless body on the bed. T h e r e w e r e c o n fl i c t i n g reports as to the real state of health before his demise. While some said he was hale and hearty before his demise, others said he was ill while on the movie set. Eye witness account said the Edo State born actor had gone to sleep after concluding the day's shooting and was reported to have complained of a heart problem. Our reporter gathered that he had shared his usual jokes with colleagues before retiring to his room. Sam Loco 66, died less than a month after the remains of another veteran actor Ashley Nwosu was laid to rest in his home town, in Umuahia.