Kofas Media and Miracle Wave International, producers of Easter premiered movie, ‘John & John’, are being accused of ‘copying and lifting’ the plot from a South African film titled ‘Skeem’.
Some movie fans were over the weekend disappointed to find out that the movie’s story bears a striking resemblance to the storyline of the 2011 South African film directed by Timothy Greene.
But the Ghanaian producer came up with somewhat resistance that it was an ‘adaptation or remake’ of the South African movie.
Usually before one adapts the story of another film, it must have gone through a legal agreement and also adding a disclaimer to the new film that it is based on another movie.
But Kofas Media is yet to clear the air if it had exhausted all the essential channels of adaptation before finally going ahead to shoot the story.
‘Skeem’ was released in October 2011. It received nominations around the world, while ‘John & John’ is now out in the cinemas.
Both movies tell the story of two guys who after doing a big money deal are off to deliver the money to their boss. Their car gets faulty along the way and since they are not able to find a mechanic, they decide to spend the night at a resort they chanced on along the way. Upon reaching the resort, they accidentally spill the cash out in the open with all the other guests at the resort looking on.
That is where all their trouble starts. Greed turns all the guests at the resort into scheming thieves and these two guys would have to find ways to survive and make it through the night without losing the cash. All the guests have their reasons why they need to get the money for themselves and they would do anything within their means to have it, even if it includes backstabbing their friends or family they are with.
The Ghana version of the story had a colourful mix of budding and veteran actors such as Kalybos, Kojo Nkansah (Lil Win), Nigeria’s Pete Edochie, Funny Face, KSM, Maame Dokono, Ahoufe Patri, John Dumelo, James Gardiner, Kobi Rana, Yaw Dabo, Nana Ama McBrown, Salma Mumin, Fella Makafui, Moesha Boduong, Roselyn Ngissah, Selly Gally, Bishop Bernard Nyarko, Zynel Zuh, Umar Krupp, among others, in it.
Early this year, the cast members of the movie reportedly paid a courtesy call on former President Jerry John Rawlings at his Ridge residence to discuss the themes of the film, as well as other related issues with him.