Paa Joe & The Lion is a remarkable and beguiling documentary that pays homage to the craftsmanship, talent, and determination of Ghana’s most prominent fantasy coffin artisan, Paa Joe. The film, directed by Benjamin Wigley and released in 2016, delves into an enigmatic world of creativity and artistry. The focus primarily is on Paa Joe's charismatic personality and immense artistic flair, which is used to craft exquisite 'fantasy coffins' meant to represent the lives and passions of the deceased.

Paa Joe and the Lion document a transformative journey of the titular character Joseph 'Paa Joe' Ashong. For more than fifty years, Paa Joe has been crafting with his hands and his imagination coffins that are much more than a simple box to lay the dead. These coffins are colorful, vibrant, expressive, and personalized sculptures, ranging from lavish lions and proud eagles to opulent automobiles and more. Each piece encapsulates symbolism, cultural heritage, and the personal narratives of those departed, turning a sacred object associated with grim rituals into a form of celebratory art, expressing joy and individuality even in death.

Joseph Ashong, a humble artist from Ghana, and his son, Jacob Tetteh-Ashong, create these unique works of art that underpin the cultural fabric of Ghana and Africa as a whole. These aren't just coffins as western societies perceive them, but bespoke works of symbolic art that demonstrate Paa Joe’s and Jacob's skill at realizing someone's hopes, dreams, or occupation into an expressive piece of artistry.

However, Paa Joe's journey is marred by many challenges. The film sheds light on underlying themes of securing economic stability, rivalry, and loss, which add layers to Paa Joe's life, revealing the struggles that often exist behind the glitz and glamour of talent and craftsmanship. The film centers on a specific project of constructing a magnificent lion coffin for an upcoming art exhibition in the United Kingdom. This project serves as the central narrative of the film, where Paa Joe faces trials and triumphs to accomplish the task.

The viewer follows Paa Joe’s artistic process from start to finish, learning about the techniques used to craft these multidimensional pieces along the way. This narrative journey also closely observes the father-son dynamic between Paa Joe and Jacob, illuminating the layers of their relationship as they collaborate on the lion’s creation.

Paa Joe’s son, Jacob, serves more than just an assisting role. He is portrayed as the potential successor, the heir apparent who could carry on his father’s legacy. The film delves into Jacob’s role as a son, an apprentice, and an artist in his own right. His character offers a refreshing perspective on transferring traditional skills to a new generation, interwoven with his own ambitions, responsibilities, and challenges as an emerging artist.

The film uses impressive cinematic footage, offering both close-ups of the artists at work and expansive shots of the Ghanaian landscape. While the narrative follows the ups and downs of Paa Joe's career, the stunning representation of Ghana provides a sumptuous backdrop that exposes the viewer to a culturally rich and vibrant environment, adding contextual depth to the story.

In the milieu of mainstream documentaries, Paa Joe & The Lion offers an unusual and intriguing narrative. This film celebrates life and death through the art of crafting fantasy coffins and personifies the spirit of survival against adversity. It presents a journey that is both rousing and inspiring, showcasing the magic that gifted hands can create, transporting audiences right into the heart of Paa Joe's workshop and the magnificence of his craftsmanship.

This compelling exploration of Paa Joe and his son Jacob’s talent serves as a testament to their creativity, resilience, and determination. Paa Joe & The Lion is an insightful and moving film that skillfully blends familiar documentary storytelling with a touch of magic realism that the art of fantasy coffins embodies. It's an unforgettable journey celebrating the universality of creativity, craftsmanship, and the human spirit. As such, it serves not just as an homage to Paa Joe’s and Jacob’s work but to every artist who challenges the conventional and creates the extraordinary.