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NEW PROJECT: Director and writer Koby Adom

A UNIVERSITY student is hoping to raise at least £10,000 to fund his new film project which will focus on the abuse of domestic workers in West Africa.

House Girl is a London Film School (LFS) graduation project, written and directed by student Koby Adom and produced by Joy Gharoro-Akpojotor.

Based on a true account, the short film discusses the maltreatment of domestic workers in Ghana and other West African countries.

The story is told through British teen, Jennifer, who is visiting Ghana for the
first time. She sees the violent abuse of young domestic worker Efua at the hands of her
aunt. In an environment completely alien to her she feels compelled to rescue Efua but a
twist in the tale brings Jennifer crashing back down to reality.

Contemporary issues such as child abuse, modern day slavery and the African diaspora are explored also but most of all, director Adom wants to show off the beautiful landscape in Accra with this film.

The story is based on similar real life events - one of Adom's close family members told him a story about witnessing the abuse of a domestic housemaid at the hands of the home owner. However this particular case took place in the 70s so the young filmmaker did some research to find out if such cases still happen in West Africa today.

During his research, Adom realised there was a lot of material online which suggested that the abuse of domestic workers, especially that of young female maids, is still an issue in Ghana.

The article Adom remembers the most is one by Kwaku Adu-Gyamfi on Modern Ghana entitled Corpses Have More Respect Than House Maids.

This article highlighted the very reason why Adom decided to write this script; to raise awareness of the issue of modern day slavery and the abuse of young female domestic workers.

Adom said: "I care so much about this project because the subject matter is something I have been researching for many years and I think it is about time a conversation is started in order to begin to tackle this issue. This is project is also my graduation film so I am working extra hard to make sure this film is one to remember."

To help make this vision a reality, Adom is currently running a Kick Starter campaign to raise £10,000 to fund the ambitious project.

The film, which has been aesthetically influenced by the films Beasts of No Nation (2015), Blood Diamond (2006) and 12 Years a Slave, will be shot in February 2016 in Ghana.

Having visited Accra in August 2015 for the first time in 18 years, he cannot wait to go back there to shoot his third film.

For more information about the House Girl and filmmaker Koby Adom, visit: www.housegirlfilm.co.uk or www.kobyadom.co.uk