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A Flashpoint Of The Jamaican Film IndustryWhat would Admiral Lord Nelson have thought, I wondered, as I listened to the howls of laughter, hoots of joy and shouts of acclaim that boomed across Port Royal from the Quarterdeck where he had one surveyed the coast of Jamaica. Instead of the crash of cannon fire Where the sea Lord had warred in the historic era of the infamous pirate town, there was now a happy celebration of the premieres of three new Jamaican films in the Flashpoint Film Festival that occupied the national historic monument Fort Charles for three nights.
With rows of seats in the well of the Fort guarded by the protection of four ancient cannons, seating on the Main Deck provided Balcony and VIP area, while upstairs on Nelson's Quarterdeck -- a brick walled boardwalk with gun emplacements -- the crowd of young fans cheered the real 'stars' of the Festival -- young film makers Joel Burke, Nile and Storm Saulter who presented three well made, enjoyable and even controversial films that mark a new era in Jamaican film making.
Flashpoint's move to the quiet village of Port Royal from its Negril origins for its third event to hopefully capture the larger Kingston audience, made sense to those seated in the midst of so much history to participate in an event that was making its own unique history. This centered around the premieres of the films by Flashpoint's producers -- Firefly Films, whose CEO Paul Bucknor ('The Full Monty') was the sponsor, producer and mentor of them all. That the film makers Storm, Nile and Joel whom Bucknor has mentored are all under 25, deserves celebration and brings to the fore the determined effort by Firefly films to make an important contribution to encouraging a truly Jamaican film industry, where Jamaicans tell their own stories, rather than simply working on the films of non-Jamaicans. That the three film makers who made history at Flashpoint are all members of the computer and internet generation, underscores the fact that today's global film industry has been made accessible to new creators because the new breed of high definition digital video cameras facilitate minds raised on computer games and cable TV to present their creativity using computer-based film technology from script through production, to editing, screening and distribution.
As Jamaican films, all three had fresh and unusual plots set in real-life Jamaican situations that are not often captured on film. Opening the Festival on Thursday night was Part One of "Soundrel", Nile Saulter's feature about a small, unsanitary restaurant and its proprietor's efforts to avoid the health inspector, that raised guffaws of laughter and ancitipation for its promised second half -- which the director informed is yet to be scripted and filmed.
Joel Burke's "Candy Store" which screened Friday night to a much larger audience, describes itself as 'the first Jamaican teenage comedy' about three high schoolers whose quest for a 'gentleman's club' lapdance after CXC graduation exam day, leads them into hilarious situations that accurately display Jamaican teenage life, home life and as well as some typical social situations. It was given a raucous, standing ovation for its director-writer Joel Burke. Special mention must be made of the young actors, especially Everaldo Creary, whose comic timing is so sharp he captures attention continually, reminding of Carl Bradshaw and Charlie Hyatt. Female lead Melissa Fearon also did an excellent job in the dual role as "Eve/Steve', adding to the humour and plot twist.
On Saturday night it was time for the controversial and much-anticipated "Betta Mus' Come" by Storm Saulter was screened to a crowd that filled the venue and included such celebrities as singer Wayne Marshall.
Set in the 70s when the film's title was a popular political slogan, it's a fast-paced action film set in a Kingston ghetto where the orange-and-green factions are constantly at war. One witnesses the swift and violent death and vengeance that arises from the political guerilla war and leads to events that show the lead up and reality of the infamous Green Bay Massacre. It's a surprisingly accurate view inside the ghetto, gritty and real with well-directed action and way-too-realistic violence, but it is an extremely well-made film -- from all angles. It will be interesting to see other critical opinion on this film as, with only the brave present cultural forms that examine Jamaica's recent political history -- this one certainly does.
To get the reality for a film shot in 12 days, the main actors were moved into the Cassia Park ghetto where it was shot and for several weeks of casting, preparation and shooting, the entire crew became a part of the neighbourhood which, in return gave their full participation. It helped the realism of the entire film.
Though I think the film could do with a little tightening to make the story flow faster (and Storm admitted in his post screening thank-you that he was still finishing editing touches up to half hour before the show), I give the film high commendation. It makes me proud of what Jamaican film is today and I think this is one film that is going to become one of Jamaica's most controversial. Hollywood actor Roger Guenevere Smith as 'Manley" is believable, and Everardo Creary plays a serious role as well as he does comedy. From the cinematic aspects of direction, acting, script and editing, all three films display a level of professionalism usually seen only in major Hollywood movies.
Though it may have seemed that Flashpoint was only about the Firefly films, there were screenings of other films that, though the daily schedule changed randomly, were worth a look. One of these was "Kapskilla - Chapter One" by Allan "Endless" Tenant, well-known 27-year-old director of edgy music videos for artists like Richie Spice. Starring dance hall DJ Raw Raw, this intense 20-minute action thriller sticks to the guns-and-drugs-in-the-ghetto scenario, but does so with the electric energy and fast-paced editing typical of the MTV generation, that made it riveting.
