‘Probably our funniest film yet’ – Shirley Frimpong-Manso on ‘Agency for the Dead’

Film producer Shirley Frimpong-Manso says her latest movie Agency for the Dead is set to deliver plenty of laughs, potentially making it the funniest film her team has ever produced. Speaking after the movie's media premiere, she explained the film aims to offer a light-hearted spin on ghost stories, inspired by Ghanaian myths and childhood memories. "We wanted to make something light and funny. I love ghost stories," Frimpong-Manso said.

While many ghost stories evoke fear and suspense, Frimpong-Manso enjoys exploring alternative possibilities, a philosophy she also applied to her previous film, A Sting in the Tale. For Agency for the Dead, this means a strong focus on comedy. "I can say that perhaps Agency for the Dead is probably the purest comedy we have done," she stated.

Despite her experience in film production, Frimpong-Manso believes this project stands out for its humor. "There's a lot to take away, but I think most importantly, Agency for the Dead is entertaining," she emphasized.

The film revisits familiar Ghanaian beliefs about ghosts, invoking nostalgia for viewers. "There's also a lot here that would remind you of our childhood, the Ghanaian myth about ghosts, and we speak about some of that in the film," she added. "So it will remind you of Ghana in the old days and some of our myths, and then, of course, perhaps you catch a glimpse of what happens on the other side."

Creating laughter in a film is no simple task, according to Frimpong-Manso. "People think that comedy is too easy, but to let people laugh, it's a big thing," she noted. She praised the cast for their dedication, highlighting the talents of Joselyn Dumas, Anita Erskine, George Quaye, Mawuli Gavor, David Dontoh, and Omari Dwamena.