After years of planning, Delleana Anderson was finally able to fulfil a dream last Friday, when she launched a film and media centre as well as released her first film, Zoey, in her hometown, Mackenzie, Linden.
“I feel awesome. It’s a dream come true,” enthused Delleana, who is also a medical doctor, and currently Dr. the acting Medical Superintendent at the Kwakwani District Hospital attached to the Linden Hospital Complex.
Zoey tells the story of a teenage girl who is sexually abused and becomes pregnant as a result. She is from a middle-class family and has a mother who has dreams for her life. Her mother has a secret; she also became pregnant while a teenager and Zoey learns of it.
Delleana’s younger sister, 13-year-old Deyonce played Zoey, while the doctor, who wrote the script, played the mother. Another sister of the doctor and two of her nieces were also members of the cast.
Delleana had shown much interest in English Literature in high school and her teacher who picked up on her writing skills often called her before the class to share what she had written. After high school, she began journaling and writing poems.
Delleana then left to study medicine in Cuba. When she finally returned in 2019, she created Delz Productions and registered the business. However, she was doing rotations at a hospital and found it difficult to pursue writing and film production. Once she was more settled, she was able to launch Delz Productions, Film and Media Art Centre.
In the runup to the launch, she realized that many people were interested in seeing the film as she had sold all of her tickets. Delleana noted that knowing the severity of the pandemic, she ensured that all COVID protocols were followed. To minimize the number of people in the audience during one sitting, she had the film shown on three days.
At the end of the film, viewers said they were thrilled with it. Some were surprised at how exceptionally well the shooting of the film was done, and credited photographer and videographer Aderemi Glascow who owns the photography business, Expression, and was able to pull off all of the filming in six days. Many called for Zoey Part 2 and Delleana has confirmed that there will be a second part, which is expected to be out before the year ends.
As for part one of the film, she has plans of having another showing sometime in mid-July. The writer intends to release the film in a soft or hardcopy format but is still unsure. She considered a DVD but because not many people have DVD players anymore, she is now reconsidering this. However, she intends to have the film available to the public by mid next month.
Delleana shared that she had tried getting sponsorship for other films she was working on but was unsuccessful. As such when it came to filming Zoey, she funded the expenses out of pocket.
Prior to leaving for Cuba, Delleana was working on another film called Innocent, but during that time there was a crisis in Linden where people protested, and some of them were shot. This prevented her from finishing the film. Then, while in Cuba, she tried to produce another film and while she had the support, not everyone was culturally inclined. Upon returning, she worked on a third film, Hope, but was unable to complete it. She is still writing the screenplay for Hope and promises that by the time she is finished, it will be nothing short of inspirational. Hope will follow the release of Zoey 2.
“I’m hoping the centre will be able to help young persons in Linden. There is a lack of jobs for young people in Linden and the centre will help them to develop their talent and while they may not be paid a salary, they could still receive a stipend. I want Delz Productions to have everything – the videography, the hairstyling, the decor, you name it, so that the money we make will stay in Delz Productions for the persons who are involved,” said Delleana.
Tickets for the screening of Zoey were $500 for children below 10 and $1,000 for adults and children over 10. It was hoped that the proceeds would allow for the purchase of camera equipment, but what was taken in fell short of the mark. Nonetheless, Delleana said, all expenses were covered.
At present Delz Productions is located at her parents’ residence in Block Twenty-Two, Linden but she is working towards having an independent location before the end of the year.
The trailer for the film can be viewed on the Facebook page, Delz Productions.
