Reclaiming
Cocoa

The film’s voice is carried by ALLYSA MARTINEZ, a Filipino-Mexican narrator whose sober, captivating tones guide viewers through the complexities of Ghana’s cocoa industry.

Behind the scenes, SABRINA RÜCKER, a Berlin-based editor, pieced together hours of footage, crafting a seamless narrative that interweaves historical context, investigative journalism, and personal stories.

Philippe’s commitment to investigate this unique value chain was matched by his partnership with Ghanaian Director of Photography NANA YAW ASIEDU APPENTENG and his assistant BENJAMIN ADDO, who ensured that the film captured the vivid, lived realities of cocoa farmers on the ground.

The sonic experience is further enriched by the sounds of KING KETELBY JAMES, an Accra-based Swiss music producer who composed the film's score. His music, a blend of traditional Ghanaian rhythms and modern beats, underscores the narrative, evoking the spirit and pulse of the cocoa farms and bustling markets.

To add a visual flourish, animations painted by WHITNEY CHINONYE ERNEST, a young Accra-based Nigerian artist, bring a touch of vibrant artistry, transforming complex ideas into accessible and engaging visuals.

Swiss-based visual artist MARTIN RIESEN brought life to Whitney’s paintings and Adelaide’s words by animating them into dynamic visuals, helping viewers grasp the economic and emotional complexities of the cocoa industry.

"Reclaiming Cocoa" is brought to life by an international team of storytellers, each bringing their unique perspectives and skills to the project. Produced and directed by Swiss investigative journalist PHILIPPE STALDER, the film represents a deep dive into the complex world of cocoa production.

Interspersed throughout the film are moments of poetic reflection, brought to life by ADELAIDE A'ASANTE, a UK-based Ghanaian griot, whose spoken word bars add a layer of lyrical depth, grounding the documentary in the oral traditions of West African storytelling.