Chris Tsui Hesse

Rev Dr Chris Tsui Hesse is Ghana’s foremost cinematographer, filmmaker, film administrator and photographer who is known for his outstanding cinematography in several award-winning films such as the critical acclaimed Love Brewed in the African Pot (1980) and Heritage Africa (1989).^[1] He was the personal photographer of Ghana’s first President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah. Rev Dr Chris Hesse helped to document the visual history of the political leadership and development of the country. He also worked for the United Nations, serving as a photographer, documenting the Congo crisis.^[2]

Early life

Rev Dr Chris Tsui Hesse was born on 29 August 1932 at Osu, Accra. He attended the Osu Presbyterian Junior and Senior Boys School and Odorgonno Secondary School, obtaining the Cambridge Overseas Certificate in 1954. In the same year he was employed at the Ghana Film Industry Corporation (GFIC).

Education

He attended the Film and Television school, Lodz, Poland and graduated in 1960. He also obtained a post-graduate certificate in Film and TV Arts, University of Sorbonne, Paris, France. His other academic credentials include a Bachelor of Divinity (1985) and Doctor of Philosophy in Film and Arts from the University of Southern California, USA (1989).

Career

His entire working career spans a total of 40 years (1954–1994), spent in the service of the Gold Coast Film Unit (became the Ghana Industry Corporation after independence). He worked on the British Academy Film Award nominated film for Best Film from any Source, The Boy Kumasenu (1952) directed by British director Sean Graham.^[3] Rev Hesse rose through the ranks to become the Managing Director of the Ghana Film Industry Corporation (GFIC) for 10 years until his retirement from government service 1994.^[4] Rev Dr. Chris Hesse has a wealth of Experience in Film Production, including being the head of NEWS Department of the GFIC for 10years (1974-1984) within which he produced several newsreels, magazines, adverts and short documentaries, some of which have won international awards. He won the Golden Camera Award (First Prize in Cinematography in Africa) at the Pan African Film Festival in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso (FESPACO) in 1985. He was the director of photography for Kwaw Ansah’s award-winning films Love Brewed in the African Pot (1980) and Heritage Africa (1989). He was also the director of photography for the late Ace filmmaker Ato Yanney Snr’s His Majesty’s Sergeant (1984).^[5] He also traveled extensively throughout the world filming conferences at the UN, Commonwealth, OAU, Non-aligned, visits of Heads of State and various international seminars.^[6]

Rev Dr Chris Hesse is known to be the first war cameraman to shoot a film on the Congo Crisis in 1960 for worldwide distribution in the capacity as an Honorary Captain in the Peace Keeping Force in 1960. From Pre-Colonial to Post-Colonial Ghana (1956-1966), he was the official cinematographer to President Nkrumah (1956-1966) and also to subsequent Heads of State namely: General J. A. Ankrah, General A.A. Afrifa, Prime Minister Dr. K. A. Busia, General I. K. Acheampong, General Akuffo, President Dr Hilla Liman and Flt. Lt. President J. J. Rawlings. In the service of God, he was ordained into the Ministry of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana in 1985 and served in several congregations. He also became the Executive Director of the Prisons Ministry of Ghana. Rev Dr Chris Hesse has been married to Mrs. Regina Hesse (a retired Officer of the Bank of Ghana) since 1959 and they have five grown children and grandchildren. His hobbies include lawn tennis, jogging, cycling and yoga exercise. He speaks English and French.

In 2014, Rev Dr Chris Hesse was honoured for his enormous contribution to cinema and the nation at the 3rd NAFTI Film Lectures on the Motion Picture Industry which focused on his work as a cinematographer, film director and documentary photographer.^[7] Rev Hesse is one of the individuals who have consistently called for the passage of the film bill which is intended to put in place all the necessary structures and systems for the film industry.^[8] Rev Dr Chris Tsui Hesse is a founding member and former President of the Ghana Academy of Film and Television Arts (GAFTA).^[9]

Filmography

• The Boy Kumasenu (1952)
• Progress in Kodjokrom (1953)
• Mr Mensah Builds a House (1956)
• Beyond the Volta (1956)
• Plebiscite of Togoland (1957)
• Freedom for Ghana (1957)
• Operation Congo (1960)
• Love Brewed in the African Pot (1980)
• His Majesty’s Sergeant (1984)
• Heritage Africa (1989)
• Harvest at 17 (1994)
• Cross Road of People, Cross of Trade (1994)

References