To Fall Off The Horse (2017)

To Fall off the Horse follows the turbulent experience of Nigerian-British actor Oris Erhuero during the production of an independent film being shot in Ghana. The film, titled 'The Cursed Ones', addresses the problem of false accusations of child witchcraft in West Africa. These accusations are a disturbing reality for much of the region, including the village that the film was shot in. The serious nature of this epidemic provides the backdrop for the production itself, and thus also for the documentary. Known for his role in the popular 90s television series Adventures of Sinbad, Oris is enthusiastic and outspoken. He comes across as an individual seeking purpose and recognition amongst the highs and lows of a claustrophobic, low budget film production. Nurtured by the social pressures and expectations of the entertainment industry, his overt self-confidence and behaviour lend the documentary an uncomfortable and, at times comical, edge. Oris rapidly succumbs to an overwhelming sense of frustration, beneath which his self esteem and machoism struggle to survive. It is through this struggle that the parallels between Oris' disillusioned character in the film and the reality of the actor's persona begin to emerge. With subtle imagery and implicative dialogue, To Fall Off The Horse explores Oris' unique personality whilst demonstrating how the processes behind acting can be a catalyst to revelation.