|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
iShowSpeed Joins Obamas as Producer of The Eyes of Ghana Documentary
American streamer iShowSpeed has joined former US President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama as a producer of The Eyes of Ghana, a documentary about veteran Ghanaian cinematographer Rev. Dr. Chris Tsui Hesse. The 90-minute film was directed by two-time Academy Award winner Ben Proudfoot.
Furthermore, it premiered at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival and will have a special one-night North American cinema screening on Wednesday, October 28, 2026.
iShowSpeed joined the project after visiting Ghana earlier in 2026 and connecting deeply with the country’s history and his own Ghanaian ancestry.
Who Is Chris Hesse and Why His Story Matters
Rev. Dr. Chris Tsui Hesse is a veteran Ghanaian cinematographer, filmmaker, photographer, and Presbyterian minister born in Osu, Accra. He began his career in 1954 and later documented presidential activities under Ghana’s first President, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah. Moreover, he documented major political developments and produced newsreels and documentaries including contributions to celebrated Ghanaian films such as Love Brewed in the African Pot and Heritage Africa.
Furthermore, following the 1966 military coup, Hesse safeguarded a vast collection of more than 1,000 reels of historical footage that captures pivotal moments in Ghana’s post-independence history. As his eyesight deteriorated, he embarked on a race against time to preserve and make the material accessible to the public.
iShowSpeed’s Personal Connection to Ghana
iShowSpeed, whose real name is Darren Watkins, visited Ghana during his Speed Does Africa tour earlier in 2026. The 21-year-old creator described himself as being back home and spoke about his Ghanaian ancestry during the visit.
Furthermore, he visited the Kwame Nkrumah monument in Accra, a landmark that features prominently in The Eyes of Ghana. He said learning about Chris Hesse’s work deepened his understanding of Ghana and its people. Moreover, with more than 200 million followers across platforms, his involvement connects Hesse’s historical work with a younger global audience who may not have encountered the film during its earlier festival screenings.
Obamas, International Awards and North American Cinema Release
Barack and Michelle Obama serve as executive producers through their production company Higher Ground. Ethan Lewis, Head of Non-Fiction at Higher Ground, described Hesse’s six decades of work protecting Ghanaian and African history as extraordinary and significant. Furthermore, The Eyes of Ghana has already earned major international recognition including the Special Jury Prize and Best Documentary at the Africa International Film Festival in Lagos and audience awards at the Hamptons International and Annapolis Film Festivals.
The original score was composed by Academy Award winner Kris Bowers and recorded with the Chineke! Orchestra and Ghanaian musicians at Abbey Road Studios. As a result, the October 28 theatrical release across Regal, AMC, Cinemark, and independent cinemas marks a major moment for Ghana’s film heritage on the world stage.