The Barbarians Movie Poster - Hand Painted Ghana Art

This hand-painted movie poster representing "The Barbarians" vividly captures the essence of the 1987 fantasy adventure film. The poster is an excellent example of the unique style of Ghanaian hand-painted movie posters, showcasing vibrant colors and dynamic illustrations that bring the movie's action-packed scenes to life. The artwork is created on recycled flour sacks, a testament to the resourcefulness and creativity of the local artists.

Cultural and Artistic Significance

Ghanaian hand-painted movie posters are a rich form of African art born from the necessity to advertise mobile cinema screenings across Ghana. This tradition began in the 1980s with the rise of video cassette technology, leading to the creation of a mobile cinema industry. Local operators, equipped with a television, a video player, and occasionally a portable generator, traveled from place to place to show films. To attract audiences, they needed large, eye-catching posters, which were created by talented artists using oil paint on recycled flour sacks sewn together.

Each poster is unique, reflecting the artist's interpretation of the film. The artists often added or changed scenes to make the posters more appealing. These posters were subjected to harsh conditions, being transported, folded, or rolled, and displayed in the sun and rain, which led to their distinctive worn and weathered look. By the mid-1990s, the popularity of mobile cinemas declined due to the wider availability of televisions and videos, leading to a decrease in demand for these hand-painted posters. Today, these posters are highly collectible and have been exhibited in museums worldwide.

For more on this unique art form, you can read "Extreme Canvas: Hand-Painted Movie Poster from Ghana," which showcases over 350 examples of these colorful posters.

Film Information

"The Barbarians" (1987)

• Genre: Fantasy Adventure
• Director: Ruggero Deodato
• Cast: Peter Paul, David Paul, Richard Lynch, Eva LaRue, and Michael Berryman.
• Plot: "The Barbarians" follows the story of twin brothers, Kutchek and Gore, who are separated as children and enslaved by the evil warlord Kadar. As they grow up, they become strong and skilled warriors, eventually reuniting to seek revenge against Kadar and rescue their enslaved people. The film is a classic tale of heroism and adventure set in a fantastical world of magic and brutality.

The movie, directed by Ruggero Deodato, is known for its action-packed sequences and the strong performances of the twin brothers, Peter and David Paul. "The Barbarians" combines elements of fantasy and adventure, providing an engaging and thrilling cinematic experience.