Man Of The Soil documentary by Pierre Deschamps is the portrait of a man called Jerry Maka West, a simple man, a Nom Tèw, creole for “a man of the soil” shot in Dominica, “the nature isle”. The documentary illustrates Jerry working his garden in the island’s lush interior juxtaposed with the hustle and bustle of city life. In his garden, his Zion, Jerry grows and prepares his food just as his grandparents did.
The modern world’s complexities passes him by as he weaves in and out, circumventing it, never really being caught up in it. Instead he prefers to live close to nature, working hard and putting back just as much in as he taking out.
Harmony with a living earth, Dominica, the nature island, Jerry Maka West lives the kind of life most of his contemporaries have forsaken, yet many would no doubt envy in a world that has become a confusion of questionable priorities and trivia.
Man Of The Soil documentary has been accepted at eighteen international film festivals including the prestigious International Berlin Film Festival and was awarded for Best Editing and A Special Motion for Best Cinematography. The documentary also won an award for Best Film in the Short Films category at the International Forests Film Festival. The film also won Special Motion for Cinematography/Bridgetown Int. Film Festival 2009 and Coup de Coeur/Terra Festival 2011.
Man Of The Soil has been presented at a number of Caribbean film festivals which include: Barbados Bridgetown International Film Festival, BIFF Bahamas International Film Festival, Trinidad & Tobago Film Festival, International Berlin Film Festival.
HBO Documentary films on Monday aired Sing Your Song which tells the inspirational life story of Harry Belafonte that coincides with his new autobiography, My Song: A Memoir, which was released last week.. For those of us that missed it, underneath the interview below, please see dates and times for alternate showings.
Recently Joshua Jelly-Schapiro of New York Magazine sat down with Mr. Belafonte. Below is the interview courtesy of NYMAG.com
In 1956, a Harlem-bred child of Caribbean immigrants released the first million-selling LP in history—Harry Belafonte was bigger than Elvis. But where Elvis built Graceland, Belafonte used the proceeds from Calypso to bankroll his friend Martin Luther King Jr.’s movement for civil rights. In an absorbing new memoir, My Song, as well as an HBO documentary, “Sing Your Song,” Belafonte recounts a life that took him from an impoverished childhood in Harlem and Jamaica to studying theater, as an angry young man in the postwar Village, with his close friend Marlon Brando; to finding pop success, in the fifties, as a smiling folksinger and America’s first black matinee idol; to becoming, in the years surrounding John Kennedy’s assassination and the March on Washington, perhaps the key go-between for King’s movement and the federal government. The only man to speak to both King and Bobby Kennedy on a daily basis through those years, Belafonte also persuaded JFK to approve airlifting a planeload of Kenyan students to America in 1961. That a certain Barack Obama Sr. was on that plane, one feels, isn’t the sole link to draw between his son and a figure whom the future president’s mother grew up adoring as “the handsomest man in the world,” according to one account. West Indian–American, angry charmer, elder radical, critic of a president who would not have been possible without him—Belafonte is a man of many conflicting identities, all of which he’s needed to help change the world.
You were born in Harlem, but your mother who raised you was a Jamaican immigrant. How do you think your Caribbean roots shaped your experience growing up?
Harry Belafonte: People from the Caribbean did not respond to America’s oppressions in the same way that black Americans did. We were constantly in a state of rebellion, constantly in a state of thinking way above that which we were given. My people were gangsters and lived in the underworld. And I don’t mean major American crime; I mean, as an immigrant, if you can’t find work inside the law, you find work outside the law. Running numbers and so on. Which is, of course, a characteristic of the poor, who find ways to break the rules, since the rules are always stacked against them.
You moved back and forth often between Jamaica and Harlem, sailing on the banana boats your father worked on as a cook. How do you think that movement, going between New York and the islands, shaped your understanding of race?
I had no particular crisis with white people. Because I never really saw them as in any way superior. Americans—black Americans—had crises, because not only were they forced to believe that white people were superior, but in many instances they bought it. And they made peace with it; we didn’t.
When you began singing folk songs in the early fifties, you were really coming out of the theater.
That’s right. I had come out of the dramatic theater, where the great writers of the day—Clifford Odets, Sean O’Casey—were concerned with politics, with working people. And those were the concerns I heard in Lead Belly, Seeger, when I was first hearing that music. Being involved in a lot of campaigns, helping people unionize, at rallies, helping them organize, picking up a picket sign, and walking in a picket line. And you sang songs on the picket line. So my engagement with the politics of music, and music as a political force, and using it specifically for that, came very early.
When you hit with Calypso in 1956, you gained fame very quickly. But just as quickly you sought to use that platform for other ends: in your work with Martin Luther King and then in your friendship with Jack and Bobby Kennedy, Bobby especially. In the beginning, though, you and Martin were quite suspicious of them; Bobby had been an ally of McCarthy, the blacklist.
We knew [before the 1960 election] that we must deal with reality. Somewhere down the line, we knew, we’re going to have to make the federal government yield to us. And I suspect that somewhere in this young man lies … good. So let’s put aside all his transgressions—the House Un-American Activities Committee, etc.—our task is to find his moral center and win him to our cause. Up until the day he died, we had a strong bond. But it wasn’t that way in the beginning. We circled one another for a long time; we kept a distance, even if we found reasons to use one another.
According to the directors, Noel Dernesch and Moritz Springer…
“JOURNEY TO JAH has been a 6-year journey so far. During the development of this project, we have been in Europe, followed Gentleman in Jamaica for three weeks and met Alborosie in his house in Kingston. We have talked to reggae artists like Luciano, Tony Rebel, Gregory Isaacs, Lutan Fyah, Rootz Underground, Mikey General and many more. We met the well known Jamaican Professor Carolyn Cooper, we followed the young, ambitious Terry Lynn around in Waterhouse, one of the numerous ghettos in Kingston, and we met Rastas, like Natty, Gentleman’s friend.
What has always impressed us, is the positive way Jamaicans confront their problems and their life in general; this is the power that forms the core of their actions adfn as well the core of our film. We want „Journey to Jah“ to be a positive story, about to youn men, who left their homes to seek spirituality and truth in a different cultural context. The film follows them on their search for authenticity, identity and acknowledgement in the context of Jamaica’s daily struggle for a better society.
Reggae is a big part of Gentlemans and Alborosies lifes, Reggae is Rebel Music, in Reggae lies the power of change. Reggae is much more than just music; it is an expression of their way of life, of their political and spiritual dispositions.
In Jamaica music is politics and the key to transformation, but it also carries discrimination and enemy stereotypes. Reggae encourages freedom and justice, yet at the same time, it turns into commercialism, causes agitation and exclusion, and is, with reference to the system of values of the Old Testament, often in contradiction to a liberal worldview.
Now we are at a tourning point of the film. We know, where we want the film to go, we have all the people togehter to make it and we were able to raise a great part of the money, we need. Now it depends, if we reach our kickstarter goal to finally start with real filming!”
The film is being showcased on Kickstarter which is an online community of creatives that allows the public to follow and fund creative ideas and endeavors.
The film makers would like you to know This Film is not finished jet!!!!!
The material of the trailer is from our research! We need to go to Jamaica at least once more to get the material for a feature documentary, that stands up for cinema!
Now it is in our hands, if we succed! Let us reach the $60.00on Kickstarter and make the film happen!!!.
The Story Of Lovers Rock – Reggae Feature Length Documentary
A few months ago we posted the trailer for The Story Of Lovers Rock by Menelik Shabbaz. Airing for the documentary is set to start in the UK theaters this Friday.
THE STORY OF LOVERS ROCK by MENELIK SHABBAZZ is a feature length documentary tells the story of an era and a music that defined a generation in the late 70s and 80s. Lovers Rock is romantic reggae that was uniquely British. It developed from a small UK scene to become a global brand through the likes of UB40 and Maxi Priest
Lovers Rock was particularly influential to a new generation of black British young women and men who identified with this music that reflected their experiences. Female artists like Louisa Marks, Janet Kay, Brown Sugar, Carroll Thompson led a ‘girl power explosion in it’s early phase.
The music provided a coping mechanism against a backdrop of racial tension and riots across the UK as well as being a counterpoint to the male dominated ‘roots’ scene.
The film combines live performances with some of the Kings and Queens of Lovers Rock with comedy sketches, interviews and archive material.
Interviews include Denis Bovell, UB40, Levi Roots Linton Kwesi Johnson, Angie La Ma, Maxi Priest, Mykaell Riley, The comedy sketches are provided by the likes of Eddie Nestor, Robbie G, Wayne Rollins, Glenda Jaxson. Rudi Lickwood, John Simmit., Annette Fagon.
Below are a few of the “Ten Quintessential British Lovers Rock Tunes” from the folks over at Largeup.okayplayer.com Be sure to visit Largeup.okayplayer.com for their full Toppa Top 10 list.
T. T. Ross – Last Date
Aswad Didn’t Know At The Time
Deborahe Glasgow – Give Me That Touch
June Lodge & Prince Mohammed – Someone Loves You Honey
Be sure to visit http://www.loversrockthefilm.com/ for details on showings.
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, Thursday, September 8, 2011 – Caribbean television stations, video stores, movie theatres, and even video pirates could find their businesses under threat when Netflix, the world’s largest Internet movie and TV series subscription service starts rolling out its service in the Caribbean from September 12.
According to Netflix, the United States-based movie giant who drove its larger more established rival Blockbuster into the ground within a few years of its existence, subscribers will be able received popular movies and television series streamed from Netflix straight to their computers and even game consoles and other Internet connected devices for a single monthly price from next week.
This online presence in the Caribbean will mark the final stage of their service roll-out, which started in Brazil on September 5 and continued its launch across 43 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean over the past week.
“We are excited to be bringing Netflix to Latin America and the Caribbean,” said Reed Hastings, co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Netflix. “People throughout the region are online in ever-greater numbers and they love movies and TV shows. We are proud to bring them the Netflix experience of instantly enjoying as many movies and TV shows as they want, when they want for one low price. “
Based on the debut novel by Hunter S. Thompson, “The Rum Diary” tells the increasingly unhinged story of itinerant journalist Paul Kemp (Johnny Depp). Tiring of the noise and madness of New York and the crushing conventions of late Eisenhower-era America, Kemp travels to the pristine island of Puerto Rico to write for a local newspaper, The San Juan Star, run by downtrodden editor Lotterman (Richard Jenkins).
Adopting the rum-soaked life of the island, Paul soon becomes obsessed with Chenault (Amber Heard), the wildly attractive Connecticut-born fiancée of Sanderson (Aaron Eckhart). Sanderson, a businessman involved in shady property development deals, is one of a growing number of American entrepreneurs who are determined to convert Puerto Rico into a capitalist paradise in service of the wealthy. When Kemp is recruited by Sanderson to write favorably about his latest unsavory scheme, the journalist is presented with a choice: to use his words for the corrupt businessmen’s financial benefit, or use them to take the bastards down.
In theaters October 28, 2011!
The Rum Diary Starring Johnny Depp
The Rum Diary Movie
GHETT’A LIFE – Jamaican Movie – Tanya Stephens – Lead Single From The SoundTrack
GHETT’A LIFE is an “against the odds” action drama set in a politically turbulent inner city community of Kingston. Derrick, a determined inner city teenager realizes his dream of becoming a champion boxer despite a country, community and family conflicted by divisive political system.
The film features Kevoy Burton, Reggae songstress Etana, Lisa Williams, Karen Robinson, Kadeem Wilson, Lenford Salmon, Winston Bell, Carl Davis and Teddy Price. The film is written and directed by Chris Browne.
The Skin’ a modern story filled with Caribbean folklore set in Antigua & Barbuda is about Michael and Lisa (Brent Simon & Aisha Ralph) who are a young married couple on the verge of losing their home. Their luck changes when Michael, while on a photo-shoot at the historic Betty’s Hope Estate discovers an ancient vase and sells it to an antique dealer (Jeff Stewart).
The couple gets little time to celebrate their good fortune before strange things begin to happen. They are introduced to a Jamaican mystic (Carl Bradshaw) who informs them that the ancient relic was not really a blessing but a curse.
The Skin is written and directed by Howard Allen, produced by Mitzi Allen. Executive Producers HAMAfilms & First Run Entertainment.
After a turn of unfortunate events in Jamaica, Everton leaves his home to make it big in the music business in America. Everything is not a bed of roses in Hollywood, but with struggles and perseverance he finds love and success, only to have it all threatened when the Don of LA (Paul Campbell) wants his dues. Written by Far I Films, Inc
Out The Gate, is directed by “The Village Brothers’ Stevie Johnson, Qmillion and starring Paul Campbell, Shelli Boone, Everton Dennis, Oliver Samuels.
Far I Films has announced May 13th as the opening date for the grittyJ amaican action/drama motion picture ‘Out the Gate’ in New York City. Showing in National Amusement Multiplex Cinemas and AMC Theatres, the highly anticipated feature has the distinction of being the first Caribbean movie to have a multi-theatre opening since the 90’s.
The film stars two of Jamaica’s most celebrated actors, Paul Campbell (Shottas, Dancehall Queen) Oliver Samuels (Oliver at Large), as well as Shelli Boone (Holla, Southland) and Everton (E-Dee) Dennis, The story follows a dreamer (Dennis), who after a turn of unfortunate events, leaves his home in Jamaica to follow his dream of making it big in the music business in Los Angeles. Life is not a bed of roses in America, but with struggles and perseverance he finds love and success only to have it all threatened when the Don of LA (Campbell) demands his dues.
Barbados’ tourism is expecting to cash in on the publicity from actress Gwyneth Paltrow retracing her family links to the island.
In last Friday’s episode of NBC-original genealogy show, “Who Do You Think You Are?”, local and international viewers witnessed the Academy Award-winning actress’s visit to the island where she traced the roots of her paternal grandfather.
“Gwyneth Paltrow digs in to her family’s past and finds a surprising connection to her spiritual roots, a new appreciation for her great-grandmother and ancestors on the island of Barbados,” the blurb for the episode said.
Paltrow discovered that her great-grandmother was white Barbadian seamstress Rosamund Stoute, who migrated to the United States in 1868, at the age of 18.
“It definitely takes guts to travel at such a young age to a place you know nothing about. I can see where I get my sense of feeling I can do anything,” the actress says in the episode.
Director Marketing Services for the Barbados Tourism Authority (BTA), Averil Byer said her agency was excited about “this windfall”.
“Barbados stands to gain substantial publicity from this episode. It also opens up future opportunities now that we know that the iconic actress has ties to Barbados,” she said.
NBC’s series “Who Do You Think You Are?” follows some of today’s most popular celebrities as they embark on personal journeys of self-discovery to trace their family trees around the world.
After receiving an esteemed photography scholarship to the university of his dreams, Darnell Smith’s life is turned upside-down when his mother’s ongoing illness suddenly becomes severe. With no one to provide for his family, Darnell takes measures into his own hands.
The first collaboration between screenwriter Mark Owens and director Evan Kaufmann, Chance is a sun-soaked drama that doubles as an exposé on the seedy underbelly of organized crime and human trafficking in the US Virgin Islands.
Chance chronicles the actions of Darnell Smith, a young, big-hearted St. Thomian, who is the sole breadwinner for his family and whose skills as an amateur photographer have landed him a scholarship to an esteemed school in the States. But with graduation inching closer, Darnell’s mother slips closer to death from an undiagnosed disease.
Lacking the funds to afford treatment and with no one to look after his brothers and sisters, Darnell forgoes school to team up with a local crime lord in a desperate move to take care of his family and save his mother’s life.
Telling a tale of redemption, Chance reveals the lengths to which many have to go in order to survive and take care of those they love, but reminds us that with faith, it is never too late for a miracle
CREW
Director Evan Kaufmann
Producers Mark Owens, Evan Kaufmann, Brittany Owens, Katie Kaufmann
Screenwriter Mark Owens
Cinematographer Cameron Schmucker
CAST
Darnell Smith Terrance Bartley
Letisha Collar Ashley Wilkerson
Edge Akin Chinnery
Prince Sean Joseph
Denise Smith Lynn Joseph-Porter
“A West Indian Story” Brooklyn Labor Day Parade The Movie
The story follows a young West Indian couple’s last day in BK before going on to experience the world outside their block. The events take place during Brooklyn’s biggest bash, “THE WEST INDIAN DAY PARADE”.
This short piece is done by Belizian American writer/director/Capoeirista Kamal Robinson and his film company Redefinition films or ReDef. The goal of ReDef Films is to produce entertainment that encourages positive growth which is clearly seen in this piece.
We do believe the possibilities are endless for this up and coming writer/director.
Kamal Robinson grew up in the North East from Baltimore to the Bronx and Belize City, Belize. He currently live in Los Angeles, CA and is currently working on his debut feature film in addition to writing to ads for Gatorade.
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados — The Barbados premiere of “A Handful of Dirt”, a debut feature film by Barbadian Russell Watson, will kick off the CaribbeanTales Film Festival (CTFF), Symposium & Marketplace on March 14, 2011.
This was disclosed at the launch on Wednesday, which was attended by media, sponsors and a cross section of persons in the film and cultural industries as well as the wider business community.
CEO of CaribbeanTales Worldwide Distribution (CTWD) and award-winning film maker, Frances-Anne Solomon, in her address at the launch, disclosed an exciting follow up to last year’s programme, which is designed to further boost the local and regional film industry, particularly in the area of content development.
“Our motto for this year is vision, momentum and action… Our aim is to provide an injection of creativity with good business sense into the exploding Caribbean industry.” Solomon said.
She revealed that the CT2011, which will run to March 20, will feature a five-day intensive content incubator aimed at developing market-driven audio-visual content. The programme will also include screenings, workshops, a symposium and market place.
“Our focus for 2011 is on the exploration of popular indigenous stories and characters that will attract large audiences and funders, and contribute to a sustainable regional industry,” Solomon noted.
Dr Terrence Farrell, a director of the CaribbeanTales Worldwide Distribution, revealed that the 2011 event will once again feature a symposium. Farrell, who is the coordinator of the symposium and a former CEO of One Caribbean Media, noted that the symposium aims to bring together key players from around the world to build a viable regional audio visual industry.
“The first symposium laid out the obstacles and presented some models. This year we want to get more precise and we are bringing together regional and international players to help us create an actionable blueprint,” he said.
The original CTFF, held in Toronto for the last five years, has been described as “bringing Caribbean films to the world”, while the Barbados event aims to bring the film world to the Caribbean, with a view to developing the regional audio-visual industry.
In 2010, the inaugural Barbados edition of the festival attracted 76 film makers, buyers, media professionals and visitors from the Caribbean, North America, the UK and South Africa to these shores and was a major boost for the fledgling Barbadian film industry.
CaribbeanTales Worldwide Distribution was launched internationally during the 2010 Toronto International Film Festival. 40 top producers and industry stakeholders from the Caribbean Region and its Diaspora participated in a Market Incubator Program to make their projects market ready. For more info on CaribbeanTales Worldwide Distribution please visit http://caribbeantales-worldwide.com/
