MY LIFES ON THE LINE Movie Poster - Hand-Painted Ghana Art

This hand-painted Ghanaian movie poster for "My Life's on the Line" beautifully captures the essence of this 1978 Taiwanese martial arts film. The poster’s bold and vivid colors depict intense combat scenes and larger-than-life characters, symbolizing the high stakes and action-packed narrative of the film. Like many hand-painted movie posters from Ghana, it reflects the local artists' creative freedom, often adding their own artistic interpretations of the movie.

Cultural and Artistic Significance

Ghanaian hand-painted movie posters are a unique form of African art. In the 1980s, with the rise of mobile cinema in Ghana, local artists began painting posters on recycled flour sacks to promote movies across rural areas. These posters, often larger than life, were used to attract large audiences for screenings in open-air venues. Over time, this art form gained global recognition, with many posters exhibited in international galleries and museums.

Each poster is a one-of-a-kind piece, as artists had the freedom to add or alter scenes based on their interpretations of the films, making these posters an integral part of Ghanaian cinema history. The rough and weathered texture, often from being folded and displayed outdoors, only adds to the poster’s charm and authenticity.

Film Information

"My Life's on the Line" (also known as 60 Second Assassin)

• Genre: Martial Arts, Drama
• Director: Chester Wong
• Cast: Bryan Leung as Chow Sau-tung, Dean Shek as Master "Handsome", and Man Lee-pang as Minute Fong Chin
• Plot: The story follows Fong Chin, a lethal contract killer infamous for his ability to eliminate opponents in under sixty seconds. However, as Fong begins to question his life choices, especially after the tragic suicide of his girlfriend, he contemplates leaving his violent life behind. One last job leads him to a town where he must locate and kill a man named Lai. Throughout the assignment, he forms emotional bonds with a local family, forcing him to choose between loyalty to his ruthless employer and his newfound sense of morality.

"My Life's on the Line" is a Taiwanese martial arts classic known for its intense fight choreography and deep emotional narrative. The film explores themes of loyalty, redemption, and the conflict between duty and personal values. Directed by Chester Wong, the movie features strong performances, particularly from Bryan Leung and Man Lee-pang, whose characters embody the moral struggles of the martial arts world. The movie's thrilling fight scenes and dramatic twists have earned it a place in martial arts cinema history.