The Eyes of Ghana documentary trailer highlights preserved historical archive

The official trailer for ‘The Eyes of Ghana’, a documentary directed by Ben Proudfoot, has been released. The film focuses on Chris Hesse, a 93-year-old Ghanaian cinematographer who served as the personal cameraman to Ghana’s first president, Kwame Nkrumah.

Hesse preserved an archive of more than 1,000 reels of film documenting Ghana’s march to sovereignty and liberation. Much of the recorded material was targeted for destruction following the 1966 coup that removed Nkrumah from power. The documentary follows Hesse’s efforts to rescue and repatriate the surviving footage, which represents a significant historical record of African history.

Produced by Higher Ground Productions and Breakwater Studios, the film features executive producers Barack and Michelle Obama, alongside producer Darren Watkins, known as IShowSpeed. Following its premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, the documentary is scheduled for a limited theatrical release in October 2026.