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week ending September 26, 2013 | www.caribbeantimesinternational.com
New documentary puts focus on Grenada revolution A
lmost 30 years have passed since a bloody coup in Grenada saw the assassination of the leader of the People’s Revolutionary Government, Maurice Bishop, along with his colleagues. As that island readies itself to observe the 30th anniversary of the coup next month, director and producer Bruce Paddington has focused his lens on that island with ‘Forward Ever: The Killing of a Revolution’—a 2 1/2 hour long epic documentary, which highlights the revolutionary government of Grenada that came to power by a coup in 1979, and its demise with the bloody killings of October 19, 1983. The documentary tells the story of the Grenada revolution as never before. ‘Forward Ever: The Killing of a Revolution’ 2013), is a feature length documentary (150 minutes) di-
Director and producer Bruce Paddington (TT Express photo)
rected and produced by Paddington. It explores the achievements and shortcomings of the People’s Revolutionary Government (1979-1983) as it attempted to forge a new revolutionary society. It focuses on the year 1983 through use of ar-
chival footage and first hand recollections of persons who witnessed the events of October 19; the execution of prime minister Bishop and his close colleagues whose bodies were never recovered. This was followed by the American invasion and over twenty
years later the gradual release of the prisoners from jail. The film, with it’s multiple perspectives and different narratives, explores this key event in the history of the Caribbean. The eloquence and passion of Maurice Bishop is apparent as he defends the revolution on such critical issues as human rights and the need for a true peoples’ democracy. The film also includes excerpts from a feature address by George Lamming at a memorial service for Bishop in 1983 as well as the music of calypsonian Brother Valentino. Paddington felt compelled to create this documentary. He was in Grenada just two months before the coup working on a documentary commissioned by United Nations on Science and Technology. He met with Jacqueline Creft, who was Grenada’s Minister
of Education. Creft was killed alongside Bishop at the confrontation at Fort Rupert. At the time, Paddington was impressed with what he saw in Grenada. He
Leader of the People’s Revolutionary Government Maurice Bishop, who was assassinated along with his colleagues
described the island as a “different type of Grenada”. “They wanted democracy. I had dinner with the Minister of Education Jacqueline
Creft, and there seemed to be a type of feeling of hope and the building of a new society. The minister was confident and hopeful. She wanted to promote what was happening with Grenada. This was in August. There were major problems, but she wasn’t discussing the government. There was no threat of anything in the air. Two months after my meeting with Jacqueline Creft she was machine-gunned down. I was shocked to find out what happened,” Paddington said. Three decades later, Paddington has completed the film, which he hopes will be a tool for healing and education. The world premiere of ‘Forward Ever: The Killing of a Revolution’ was screened at the University of the West Indies during the Trinidad and Tobago Film Festival last week. (Excerpted from TT Express)
It has never been easier to discover Curacao from Toronto!
“B
on Bini” to Curacao! More Canadian visitors than ever will be saying those words as they touch down in Curacao beginning this October. That’s when the first of three airlines will begin additional flights from Toronto to Curacao. The flights have been added as demand for the destination has increased in recent months and visitors clamor to spend more time on the island. Airlines flying from
Toronto to Curacao include WestJet, Sunwing and Air Canada. WestJet and Sunwing will fly nonstop on Sundays, while Air Canada will fly every Friday. It is a schedule that accommodates many different vacation itineraries. “The Curacao Tourist Board has been working diligently to increase air lift from Canada to Curacao because we know how important it is to accommodate eager travellers,” says André
Rojer, Curacao Tourist Board Marketing Manager North America. “The decision of these carriers to schedule these flights and to increase the number of available seats demonstrates a clear demand for the destination and also benefits the number of tourists, who are keen to visit Curacao and experience our unique country and its culture.” The first flights from Toronto–on WestJet--begin on October 27 through April
Canadian film ‘Home Again,’ inspires two new songs from Jamaican artiste
T
hough he knows persons who have been sent back to Jamaica for illegal activity in other countries, Brian Brown was unaware of the challenges deportees face. Brown, who has a feature role in the movie ‘Home Again’, has released two songs from his album ‘Skitsofreenia’ called ‘Coming Home’ (with Toya) and ‘It's All Music’ (with Vdezdra). He said they are inspired by the movie which focuses on three persons deported to Jamaica from Canada,
the United States, and the United Kingdom. ‘Coming Home’ is produced by Delroy Green and ‘It's All Music’ co-produced by Brown and Doneida Simpson. A past student of Cornwall College, Montego Bay-born Brown stated that he knows several deportees, some of whom have been deported more than once. "Being a deportee doesn't mean one has committed a major crime. I am not saying that one should not
be punished for his/ her crime but imagine a person that migrated as a toddler and is sent back to the country of his birth...a country which is really foreign to him," he reasoned. Brown argued that the government should put in place proper systems for deportees to reintegrate into society. ‘Home Again’ was written by Jamaicanborn Jennifer Holness and directed by David 'Sudz' Sutherland, a Canadian of Jamaican descent. (Excerpted from Jamaica Observer)
20, 2014. Sunwing will offer its flight service from December 15 through April 27, 2014 and Air Canada’s flights are scheduled from December 20 through April 25, 2014. Hotels and resorts in Curacao are offering special early booking deals. With its pristine dive sites, secluded beaches, championship golf course and rich local cuisine, Curacao offers a little something for everyone–from the adventure
traveler who wants to dive and hike to the leisure traveler who simply wants to unwind and enjoy the ideal climate and beautiful beaches. Curacao also boasts an eclectic mix of history and culture with the UNESCO Heritage capital city of Willemstad and the first Jewish synagogue in the Western Hemisphere among many other sights. It’s an unexpected place, ripe for a multitude of experiences. (CaribbeanNews)