The incredible true story of how an ordinary man became a King.
"Togbe" is the real-life
story of a simple man summoned to greatness.
Henk Otte lives on disability with
his wife and son outside of Amsterdam. Though the Dutchman is white, he
has been found to be a reincarnated king in the West African nation of
Ghana - his wife's homeland.
The documentary follows Otte from
Holland to Ghana, where he's set to celebrate his fifth anniversary as the
leader of Mepe, the region of 300,000 people who installed him. The story
begins with the discovery that Otte's visa is being withheld by the Ghana
embassy in Holland due to a controversy in the press.
Once in Ghana, Otte is called
before the chief's council to explain what happened. He then begins his
official duties as development chief of Mepe by assessing the needs of the
schools and hospitals. Later, Otte distributes the donations he's
collected throughout the year.
The latter part of the film
examines the forces both political and religious, that led to Otte's
unusual appointment. As well as a study of Mepe's demise; an American made
dam that stopped the flow of the river which fishermen depended on for
survival. It also touches on the encroachment of Christianity brought by
the missionaries, which is at odds with Mepe's tribal and traditional
roots.
"Togbe" is the moving story of an ordinary man whose life is given new meaning by a people worlds from his own.
Running Time:
56 minutes
Language: English
copyright Reel Films, 2003