Emmanuel's Gift (2005)

If you are born disabled in Ghana, West Africa you are likely to be poisoned, or left to die by your family; and if you are not poisoned or left for dead, you're likely to be hidden away in... See full summary »

Directors:

Lisa Lax, Nancy Stern

Writers:

Lisa Lax, Elizabeth Massie,

Stars:

Robin Williams, Oprah Winfrey

Cast

Credited cast:
Robin Williams	...	Himself (archive footage)
Oprah Winfrey	...	Narrator

Storyline

If you are born disabled in Ghana, West Africa you are likely to be poisoned, or left to die by your family; and if you are not poisoned or left for dead, you're likely to be hidden away in a room; and if you're not hidden, you are destined to spend your lifetime begging on the streets. Of the twenty million people in Ghana, two million are disabled. This is the story of one disabled man whose mission-and purpose- is to change all that forever. In Emmanuel's Gift, filmmakers Lisa Lax and Nancy Stern have uncovered a story as compelling as it is important. Narrated by Oprah Winfrey, the film chronicles the life of Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah, a young Ghanaian man born with a severely deformed right leg, who today, against incalculable odds, is opening minds, hearts and doors-and effecting social and political change throughout his country. While Emmanuel's message is vital: people with disabilities are valuable contributors to any society, his method is inspirational. Emmanuel begins his ...

---

Plot Keywords:

disability | athlete | character name in title

---

Taglines:

He's like no one we've ever known, but he's all we aspire to be.

---

Genres:

Documentary

---

Certificate:

G

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

30 June 2007 (Japan)

Filming Locations:

Ghana

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$14,642 (USA) (21 October 2005)

Gross:

$23,578 (USA) (4 November 2005)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Lookalike Productions LLC

Technical Specs

Runtime:

80 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color Black and White

Did You Know?

Connections

References Forrest Gump (1994)

---

Soundtracks

"No Saint"
Written by Abdoul Aziz Diop & Lena Fiagbe
Performed by Wasis Diop
Courtesy of Universal Music S.A. France
Under License from Universal Music Enterprises

User Reviews

The story of a disabled man born in Ghana who is doing incredible things to change perceptions of the disabled in his country.

This is an incredible film. telling a story that Hollywood couldn't hope to imagine. An amazing effort for first time feature directors. Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah is the main focus of the film, a man who rode his bicycle (donated by the Challenged Athletes Foundation) across Ghana to prove to his countrymen that the disabled can make valuable contributions to society. In addition, Rudy Garcia Tolson and Jim Maclaren share their incredible stories.

Guaranteed you will leaves this film feeling differently about the world than when you went in. This film proves that a documentary can be cinematic ally beautiful as well as tell a thematically compelling Not to be missed. Oh, and bring tissues.