Documentary Review: ‘Destination Ghana – Pim’ – Journey of Identity, Belonging and Self-Discovery

Identity is an interesting thing. For some, it is something inherited without question. For others, it becomes a lifelong search, pieced together through memories, scanty information, and unanswered questions. ‘Destination Ghana – Pim‘ is built around that very search, delivering a deeply personal documentary that is as much about finding a father as it is about finding oneself.

Directed by the Ghanaian-Belgian actor and filmmaker Adams Mensah, and written by Adams Mensah and Pim Van Hooreweder–Van der Vliet, the 30-minute documentary continues Mensah’s penchant for telling stories rooted in personal experiences. Following the success of his previous documentaries “Me a Belgian, my mother a Ghanaian” and “Ghana For You”, Mensah continues to avoid chasing spectacle and instead allows emotion and real experiences to take centre stage, trusting that the journey itself is compelling enough.

Pim grew up in the Belgian city of Mechelen with a foster family who adopted her. Her biological mother struggled with mental illness and was deemed unfit to care for her as a baby, not because she willingly gave her daughter away, but because the circumstances left her with little choice. Years later, she handed Pim a letter containing the name and phone number of her biological father. Alongside it was a postcard from a man in Ghana. At the time, Pim was content with the life she knew and paid little attention to either.

Now an adult, however, those unanswered questions have become impossible to ignore. Wanting to understand where she came from and why her father never raised her, she is committed to finding him and hopefully getting to understand what her identity really is. She enlists the help of Adams Mensah, who has Ghanaian roots and shares in her predicament in his own way.

One of the documentary’s strongest decisions comes almost immediately. Before the second minute, we are introduced to Pim’s adoptive parents, Frieda and François. Their presence instantly grounds the story, reminding us that while this is a search for biological roots, it is never a rejection of the family that raised her.

Perhaps the documentary’s most touching moment comes when Frieda reads a line from a letter that accompanied Pim’s adoption papers: “We are all coloured, just that some of us are whitely coloured.” It is a beautifully simple statement that captures the warmth, acceptance and unconditional love with which Pim was embraced from childhood. Even now, as an adult embarking on an uncertain journey, her adoptive parents remain her biggest supporters, encouraging her at every step in her search for the mysterious man known only as “Darko.”

As the search moves from Belgium to Ghana, the documentary takes on the feel of a real-life mystery. Every lead carries promise, yet every dead end threatens to undo the optimism built before it. The search eventually leads Pim to Kwahu, the ancestral home associated with the Darko name, where the documentary briefly introduces viewers to the area’s history and its clan system.

Admittedly, I found myself wanting a little more here. I believe a lot more could have been explored here. The cultural context surrounding the ‘Darko’ lineage and the traditions of Kwahu are fascinating, and a deeper exploration could have added another educational layer to the film. That said, this is ultimately not a documentary about Ghanaian history or anthropology, so that’s fair. Its focus remains firmly on Pim’s emotional journey, and spending too much time elsewhere may have diluted that central narrative.

What ‘Destination Ghana – Pim’ captures remarkably well is the emotional unpredictability of searching for answers that may or may not exist. Hope gives way to disappointment, only for another clue to reignite optimism. That emotional rhythm becomes contagious. As Pim rides the rollercoaster of anticipation, heartbreak and renewed determination, we find ourselves experiencing those same highs and lows alongside her.

The choice to avoid sensationalising Pim‘s story pays dividends. The film rather embraces quiet moments of reflection, allowing conversations and genuine reactions to carry the emotional weight. It feels less like watching a documentary and more like accompanying a friend on one of the most significant journeys of her life.

At just 30 minutes, ‘Destination Ghana – Pim‘ makes efficient use of its runtime, capturing the essence of Pim‘s search without overstaying its welcome. More importantly, it reminds us that identity is rarely defined by a single discovery. Sometimes the journey itself offers as many answers as the destination itself.

I will score this documentary film 3 out of 5 stars. It is a heartfelt exploration of belonging, family, heritage and the universal desire to understand where we come from.

Destination Ghana – Pim has been officially selected and will have its world premiere at the European Film Festival Ghana on 7th of October at Alliance Française at 7 pm.