'The Burial of Kojo' Is Ghana's First Golden Globe Entry

Blitz Bazawuke, also known as Blitz the Ambassador's critically-acclaimed directorial debut The Burial of Kojo is officially in the running for a Golden Globe nomination, making it the first Ghanaian film ever to be considered for a nomination.

The musician, writer and director took to Twitter on Friday to share the news along with a picture of the list of contenders for the Golden Globe's "Best Foreign Language Film" award, which also includes Senegal's Atlantics (which is also in the running to become the first Senegalese film nominated for an Oscar) and Malawi's The Boy Who Harnessed Wind. Ninety-five films from 65 different countries are being considered for nomination in the category.

READ: In Conversation: The Cast & Crew of 'The Burial of Kojo' On Representation, Power & Filming in Ghana

The mystical and visually striking movie, which premiered at the Urban World Festival in NYC last year, tells the story of two brothers through the eyes of its young protagonist Esi, played by Cynthia Dankwa. The film takes viewers on a surreal journey exploring family bonds and the complexity of life and death. "Usually movies about Africa are very dystopian, more about survival mode. We never get a chance to break down our people," the director told OkayAfrica in an in-depth interview last year. "We just end up with a war, and in a war you can't show nuance in family relationships—the film is about survival. The hardest thing to do is humanize a people that has little history in cinema. Hopefully this film brings father and daughter closer, especially back home."

Much like the Academy's rules for its Best International Film category (formerly the "Best Foreign Language Film"), the Best Foreign Language Film at the Golden Globes must contain a predominantly non-English dialogue track—a rule that came under fire earlier this week after it was announced the Lionheart, Nigeria's first-ever entry to the Oscars, was disqualified from consideration in the Best International Film category on account of it being primarily In English.

Nonetheless, there are more films by African filmmakers in the running for major awards this year than ever before. There was a record-breaking 10 films from the continent submitted for Oscars consideration this year.

Golden Globe 2020 nominations will be announced on December 9 and we hope to see The Burial of Kojo on the list.