Kafui scores highly with Happy Deathday

Happy Deathday, is about a vice president’s only child, Umar Karim, played by Alexx Ekubo from Nigeria, whose friends decide to throw him a surprise birthday party after ‘ponding’ him. But things didn’t go as planned as the four friends; Kafui Danku, James Gardiner, Too Sweet Annan and Elikem Kumordzi ended up killing the birthday boy.

Unknown to the four friends, their birthday boy was not dead but in an unstable condition. The movie took viewers through series of thoughts and actions regarding how to dispose off the supposed dead body without being caught.

Some of the options that were suggested included throwing him into the sea, dumping him at the refuse dump or leaving him in the pool. Later, an agreement was reached to bury, Umar Karim, the birthday boy, in a forest.

Perhaps, the ending could have been constructed differently but the emotional twist, suspense and comic reliefs got the patrons laughing.

It has to be said that Kobi Rana did an impressive job directing the movie, judging from the camera angles and acting. The choice of location was on point as the story was around the vice president’s son so using plush residences were just perfect.

Elikem de Tailor played the role of a stubborn cocaine snorting youth who loves to face issues head on with no room for self-doubt or regrets. James Gardiner also did well with his portrayal of a drinking addict.

Kafui Danku herself, the girlfriend of Umar Karim did not disappoint viewers in capturing the essence of her role. She got her characterisation right and her emotional transitions were remarkable.

Dancehall artiste, Stonebwoy, who did fairly well with his brief appearance in the movie as an artiste that he is in real life who had been invited to thrill the birthday boy and his guests at the surprise birthday party.

Nana Ama McBrown, who was a sister to Too Sweet Annan as usual was on point and dressing like a tomboy in addition to riding a motor bike gave her out as an interesting character to watch.

Other appearances in the movie included Ben Brako, Vivian Achor, Vincent McCauley and Salma Mumin.

In an interview with producer Kafui Danku about how the process went, she said:  “it was not an easy thing for me and my team but all I can say now is that, this is just the beginning. There is more from where this came from”.