Cinema: "Paradise" Come! Wells' passion project to hit Jamaican screens

Kingston Paradise, awarded Best Diaspora Feature in the prestigious Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA 2014) - and praised by this column after a screening at last year's Jamaica Film Festival - will screen commercially for the first time to audiences in Jamaica (at Palace Amusement Cinemas and other theaters across the island.)Written and directed by Mary Wells Kingston Paradise hits local screens June 15

With a mostly foreboding look and feel, the film's tight shots follow Rocksy (Chris 'Johnny' Daley), a taxi driver and a colourful misguided small-time hustler who journeys to steal a car, while his lady friend, Rosie (Camille Small), dreams for peace that is depicted in a watercolour painting (a beach paradise). As the crime ensues, in reckless desperation, it changes their lives forever as they fight to survive the chaos of their broken dreams and aspirations.

On their journey, the quintessential paradise painting represents what Rosie (and Rocksy) deeply desires, (freedom, choice, equality). But what appears unattainable is just moments away. They are moments away from lifting themselves out of poverty or moments away from being better human beings. Better yet, just moments away from spending a quiet day at the beach; just moments away with no worries or pain, but with dignity and happiness.

Film: Once again, its GATTFEST

ATFFEST Film Festival 2016 call for entries

 

Join one of Caribbean’s most exciting and fastest growing community film festival

Deadline for submission - April 29, 2016

School Competition introduced to harness young talent

 

Kingston, Jamaica: Filmmakers from across Caribbean are being invited to submit their entries of short films, and be a part of one of the Caribbean’s fastest growing community film festival – GATFFEST, held under the auspices of the UWI Community Film Project (UWICFP).

 

GATFFEST, organised annually, is a catalyst for social commentary, expression and community participation. Now in its fourth year, continues its quest to be a platform for showcasing local, Jamaican and Caribbean filmmakers, and to harness their talents and works. The grand finale will be in June, when the winners will be announced at a glittering awards ceremony.

 

“GATFFEST is ever evolving,” said Professor Ian Boxill, Professor of Management Studies and Director, Centre for Tourism and Policy Research. “This year we have expanded the scope and introduced a School Competition, to encourage and showcase talent of upcoming independent film makers.”

 

The film festival has expanded its footprints across the shores, the entries are not restricted to a region, and GATFFEST welcomes international entries. Last year 36 international and regional films were screened, and films were received from every continent except Africa.

 

For the first time, this year’s festival is targeting high schools students with GATFFEST School Competition. “We have seen where these students have the capability and creativity to create entertaining and thought provoking short films,” Savannah Peridot, Business Development Manager, UWICFP said.

 

“We are targeting 25 High Schools in Kingston and Montego Bay,” Peridot informed. “We will choose 10 of the best film submissions, which will be shown at the film festival.”

 

Professor Boxill, who is the head of the GATTFEST Film Festival, reaffirmed the commitment to make a positive impact on the communities, nurture, develop and encourage young and upcoming talent.

 

“This is a platform for Caribbean’s budding and emerging filmmakers,” he said. “The objective is not only for them to get excellent visibility, but make meaning contribution to the communities through the medium,” Professor Boxill said.

 

GATFFEST is an excellent opportunity for filmmakers across the board to harness their talent, get a chance to interact with the best of Caribbean creative minds, tell their stories and be recognised for their talent and creativity.

 

 

The deadline for submission of entries is April 29, 2016.

A Beatle, a "Crazy Horse" and other film creatures

http://movies.yahoo.com/news/martin-scorsese-george-harrison-doc-frederick-wiseman-crazy-074001764.html;_ylt=AmL55Fbge3OydUKG5wloFgX1X4sC;_ylu=X3oDMTM3aWZrcnF0BHBrZwNiMGZmOTQ2ZS0yMGE4LTMwMzgtYTE2Mi0xOWU1MmNiYWEzZDEEcG9zAzEwBHNlYwNsbl9USFJfZ2FsBHZlcgNjNzM3YWY3MC1jMzQ1LTExZTAtOTNkZS02ZDIzNTdjYmM5M2U-;_ylv=3

The San Sebastian Film festival offers a fair feat for real movie buffs, ad the above link will attest. The mention of a Scorcese- helmed biopic on former Beatle, the late George Harrison, brought to mind the Bob Marley biopic that Marty was set to direct, beforevthe project passed to Johnathan Demme (Philadelphia) and then the Weinstein Co. apparently reached a deal with Rita Marley ( Bob's widow) for the rights to her memoirs.

Will a Marley movie be made -and released - in my lifetime? Remains to be seen.