The Knell
On his first day at an Oklahoman university, a student from Ghana with hopes of achieving the American Dream encounters a beautiful yet mysterious campus tour guide who sends him down a deadly path to an American nightmare.
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Joseph Osei-BonsuDirector
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Joseph Osei-BonsuWriter
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Joseph Osei-Bonsu, Bevelyn Osei-BonsuProducer
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Kevin RichardsKey Cast"Kwaku"Creed 2, Power
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Demetria MarshallKey Cast"Téa"
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Kolesa MooreKey Cast"Nana Yaa Asantewaa"
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Danny OroscoKey Cast"Mr. Olyphant"
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Prince Boakye-YiadomAssociate Producer & Storyboard
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Jack OttoCinematographer
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Joseph Osei-BonsuEditor
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Sarah SarpongCostume Design
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Allen GreyMusic by
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Joey WestAssistant Camera Operator
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Project Type:Short, Student
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Runtime:14 minutes 56 seconds
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Completion Date:April 12, 2021
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Production Budget:7,000 USD
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Country of Origin:Ghana
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Country of Filming:United States
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Language:English
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Shooting Format:Blackmagic URSA 2K
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Aspect Ratio:16:19
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Film Color:Color
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First-time Filmmaker:Yes
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Student Project:Yes - Seton Hall University
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Toronto International Nollywood Film FestivalToronto
Canada
October 31, 2021
BEST DIRECTOR (Africa): Nominee -
Blackstar International Film FestivalAccra
Ghana
September 23, 2021
African Premiere
BEST STUDENT FILM: Official Selection -
Festival International du Film PanafricainParis
France
October 19, 2021
European Premiere
Official Selection -
London International Web & Short Film FestivalLondon
United Kingdom
June 26, 2021
BEST STUDENT FILM (May) : Winner -
Bronzelens Film FestivalAtlanta
United States
August 20, 2021
North American
BEST STUDENT FILM: Official Selection
Joseph Osei-Bonsu's filmmaking blends afrofuturism, dark-comedy, history, and elements of fabulism to relate unique diasporic African stories. He grew up in Ghana, West Africa, and emigrated to the U.S. at 20. "The Knell" is Joseph's debut narrative short film which also doubles as the first act of an original, one-hour, TV-drama pilot he wrote in 2020. He will graduate as a Creative Writing Major and Filmmaking Minor from Seton Hall University in December 2021. Joseph resides in New Jersey, where he continues to work on his second original TV pilot...or watching too much TV.
I created this short film from the first act of an original, one-hour, TV-drama pilot I wrote. I wanted my potential audiences to embark on the emotional journey I experienced while creating it sooner rather than later. In "The Knell," I bring back my great-great-great grandaunt and the Ashanti warrior queen, Nana Yaa Asantewaa, back from the dead. Having fought against British colonialism some 120 years ago, Nana Yaa resurrects to strike fear into her new foreign enemies in America. The film also explores the myth which is the "American Dream." It presents it as a mirage which continues to elude many immigrants and citizens of America, especially, people of African descent. Borrowing from my personal experiences, first, as an international student; and then, as an African American, I hope to take you through the full gamut of my American experience in 15 minutes! I have personified all its highs and lows in these interestingly unique characters via a simple, yet, unconventional plot. And I know very well that it will be different for each individual who watches it. But above all, "The Knell" is a story of reconciliation. It is a story about two people of African descent--long separated by the Transatlantic tragedy--who must now find solidarity in what unites them instead of focusing on what divides them. All the while, contending against the white supremacist world thrust upon them. "The Knell" confronts the obvious disconnect between continental and diasporic Africans and people of African descent. Thus, addressing pertinent issues across both sides of the aisle in hopes of achieving a sense of reconciliation between the two "African" families.