Chris Tsui Hesse

Christian Tsui Hesse, popularly known as Chris Hesse (born 29 August 1932) is a Ghanaian cinematographer, filmmaker, film administrator, photographer[1] and Presbyterian minister who is known for his cinematography in several award-winning films such as the critically acclaimed Love Brewed in the African Pot (1980) and Heritage Africa (1989).[2] He was the personal photographer of Ghana's first President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah. 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 in 1960.[3]

The Rev. Dr.

Chris Hesse
Born
Christian Tsui Hesse

(1932-08-29) 29 August 1932
Osu, Accra
Education
Occupation
Years active1954–1994
Spouse(s)Regina Hesse (m. 1959)

Early life and education
Further information: Hesse family

Chris Tsui Hesse was born on 29 August 1932 at Osu, Accra. He attended the all-boys' Presbyterian boarding middle school, the Salem School and the Odorgonno Secondary School, obtaining the Cambridge Overseas Certificate in 1954. In the same year he was employed at the Ghana Film Industry Corporation (GFIC). He attended the National Film School in Łódź in Poland and graduated in 1960. He also obtained a post-graduate certificate in Film and TV Arts from the University of Sorbonne in Paris. His other academic credentials include a Bachelor of Divinity (1985) and a PhD (1989) in Film and Arts, both earned from the University of Southern California.

Career

His entire working career spans four decades (1954–1994), spent in the service of the Gold Coast Film Unit, later called the Ghana Industry Corporation. 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.[4] Hesse rose through the ranks to become the Managing Director of the Ghana Film Industry Corporation (GFIC) for ten years until his retirement from government service 1994.[5] Chris Hesse has a wealth of experience in film production, including being the head of News Department of the GFIC for ten years (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 filmmaker Ato Yanney Snr.’s His Majesty's Sergeant (1984).[6] He also travelled extensively throughout the world filming conferences at the UN, Commonwealth, OAU, Non-Aligned Movement, visits of Heads of State and various international seminars.[7]

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-colonal to post-independent Ghana (1956–1966), he was the official cinematographer to Kwame Nkrumah (1956–1966) and also to subsequent Heads of State namely: J. A. Ankrah, A. A. Afrifa, K. A. Busia, I. K. Acheampong, Fred Akuffo, Hilla Liman and J. J. Rawlings.

He was ordained into the Christian 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. Chris Hesse has been married to Regina Hesse (a retired Officer of the Bank of Ghana) since 1959 and they have five adult children and grandchildren. His hobbies include lawn tennis, jogging, cycling and yoga. He is fluent in English, French Ga and Twi.

In 2014, Chris Hesse was honoured for his immense contributions 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.[8] 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.[9] Chris Tsui Hesse is a founding member and former President of the Ghana Academy of Film and Television Arts (GAFTA).[10] In 2017, Hesse has been honoured at the National Film and Television Institute Awards night in Accra.[11][12]

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)
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References
  1. "Video: Nkrumah's photographer tells his story on PM Express' Personality Profile". myjoyonline.com. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
  2. "The Award Ceremony for the 2013–2014 Lectures takes place on June 20, 2014". nafti.edu.gh. Archived from the original on 14 August 2014. Retrieved 26 February 2015.
  3. "NAFTI honours Rev Dr Chris Hesse". graphic.com.gh. 25 June 2014. Archived from the original on 26 February 2015. Retrieved 26 February 2015.
  4. "BAFTA Awards". bafta.org. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 26 February 2015.
  5. "The Award Ceremony for the 2013–2014 Lectures takes place on June 20, 2014". nafti.edu.gh. Archived from the original on 14 August 2014. Retrieved 26 February 2015.
  6. Yanney, Ato. ""His Majesty's Sergeant" Out Finally". www.modernghana.com. Retrieved 26 February 2015.
  7. "The Award Ceremony for the 2013–2014 Lectures takes place on June 20, 2014". nafti.edu.gh. Archived from the original on 14 August 2014. Retrieved 26 February 2015.
  8. "NAFTI honours Rev Dr Chris Hesse". graphic.com.gh. 25 June 2014. Archived from the original on 26 February 2015. Retrieved 26 February 2015.
  9. "The Industry needs a film bill – Chris Hesse". www.vibeghana.com. Retrieved 26 February 2015.
  10. "Sale of GFIC Has Affected Film Industry – Rev Chris Hesse". www.modernghana.com. Retrieved 26 February 2015.
  11. Amponsah, Charles. "Outstanding film makers in Ghana honoured". gbcghana.com. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
  12. Africa, Daily Guide. "Ghana Film Industry Receives Boost". Retrieved 22 February 2020.
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