Barbadian Paul Doyle is seeking to pay homage to literary giant Jeannette Layne-Clark through the production of a film Villa in Paradise, from a book of the same name written by Layne-Clark.
The well-known newspaper columnist, broadcaster, PR specialist, TV presenter and playwright, who died in 2009, was of Guyanese parentage. Her book was published in 2005.
Executive Producer Doyle who is seeking funding to produce the film, secured the rights from Layne-Clark’s niece Rosemarie Layne. He revealed that it is about the meteoric rise of character Adam Carrington within the legal fraternity from humble beginnings and his subsequent demise at the hands of greed, mismanagement of assets and the ‘big life’ he could not sustain all at the hands of those considered his subordinates.
According to Rosemarie Layne, who wrote a compilation of notes as a biography of her aunt titled, “The life and times of Jeannette Layne-Clark.”
It quoted the writer as saying: “I have always wanted to do a novel and in fact I made several attempts to start. I almost finished one years ago… when I lived in Paris, and then two years later when I looked back at it, I thought it was such a load of rubbish that I just dumped it.
“From time to time, I’ve been meaning to do one. I’ve always had plots (of) stories in my head, but… have been distracted.” Questioned on the authenticity of a Villa in Paradise, she said, “There will be people who may think of it as a roman cliché – and perhaps there are parts which will inspire such a thought – but it is fictitious, but… based on contemporary life in Barbados… it’s the kind of thing that people can relate to.”
According to the article Jeannette wanted the novel’s plot and setting to be easily identified as Barbados, and so retained many of the place names and societal landmarks, while also drawing on her own experience to a certain extent.
Paul Doyle says that in addition to Jeanette’s storyline, his will become important as it shows what an individual will do and the lengths to which he will go, to keep pace with the characters.
“I saw a great opportunity to place the region, particularly Barbados’ cinema graphic skills at the fore. We are not only well known for our sun, sea, and sand. Our contribution to the arts is exemplary,” Paul said in an online interview with The Scene.
The movie will be shot in Barbados and directed by young director Marc Gibson of Payday fame (another Barbadian film). In keeping with the Guyanese theme, Errol Trotman, a Guyanese living in Germany is targeted to portray the lead (Adam Carrington). His adversary, ‘Cuffy Burke’ is to be played by Tony Thompson, while Howaida Moussa Weel will play the role of Adam’s wife, Miriam.
The movie’s target audience are all those over 21.
“The movie is not your ordinary rags to riches story. Several subplots exist. Like the faith of Adam’s mom in realising her lifetime dream. Like the uneducated Cuffy using his tact and resources to his advantage. Even by Miriam in her life choices knowing that all that glitters is not gold. The movie theme delivers,” he promises.
Although Paul’s attraction to this particular film is to pay homage, respect and to ensure that Jeannette’s legacy never dies or is forgotten it is Rosemarie’s inspiration mixed with the storyline that intrigued him.
Marc Gibson wrote the screenplay overseen by Paul and Jeannette’s executrix. Production started in late August and release date is expected to be early 2015.
Funding from the movie comes from private investments and crowdfunding through a web-based platform.
The production of this movie is een well anticipated by Paul. “It represents a departure from Jeannette’s writing style to address a more pertinent issue: Greed!” he said.
He revealed that even while major distribution is and will always be the target several International Film Festivals have been targeted.
However the movie will be premiered in Guyana and Barbados for obvious reasons.
The distribution structures include the primary market which is the big screen, networks as the secondary market and even distributions online. “As you can see, we are ensuring that the movie is always available and that Jeannette’s Layne-Clark’s legacy lives on,” Paul explained.
Paul suffered a stroke in New York some four years ago and spent eight months in Albany Medical Hospital. In the interim he lost his home, his fiancee and son due to choosing to rehab in the place of his birth, Barbados. “We communicate by Facebook but the personal relationship is non-existent,” he wrote on Indegogo.com. “I remain in a wheelchair but nevertheless, I’m happy since finding God! As a matter of fact, He found me. His lost sheep.”
Paul has several independent films under his belt, but he considers this movie his very first individual movie. “Before I marketed for others, now it is for me, he said.” (Jairo Rodrigues)
