By Rae Wiltshire
In collaboration with the Theatre Guild, the Georgetown Film Festival (GFF) is excited to announce its inaugural film festival. Taking place from August 21st to 23rd at 7 pm each day, the festival will spotlight films from mostly across the region. The films will be presented according to three distinct themes: ‘Breaking Traditions’ on August 21st, ‘Kaleidoscope’ on August 22nd and ‘Inheritance’ on August 23rd.
The Programming Committee, which includes this writer, has observed that filmmakers are often preoccupied with how societal pressures influence behaviour when individuals choose to go against the grain. One standout example is “Unite for Bissau”, a documentary directed and produced by Iara Lee. The film explores the struggles women face in a patriarchal society and highlights how they achieved autonomy by forming a strong community through farming. It was the first film from this country that any of us had ever seen, making it crucial to highlight cinema from less accessible corners of the globe. Beyond its rarity, “Unite for Bissau” is a film of high quality, demonstrating the strength of women in a society that undervalues their empowerment.
“Release,” a short film directed by Shakeem Walcott, is a dialogue-free dance film set entirely against the backdrop of the Guyanese Seawall. The film, beautifully shot, features three dancers performing captivating movements with the Atlantic Ocean in the background, elevated by a powerful score. While the film lacks a traditional narrative, it resonated with us on an emotional level, breaking conventional storytelling structures in a way that made it well worth the watch. Remarkably, “Release” was the only locally produced film that we did not create ourselves. Although we received other submissions, many were technically lacking, or the storytelling was subpar. This experience underscored the need for more training for local filmmakers if our fledgling industry is to thrive. It’s not a question of talent; filmmakers just need to invest more time in honing their craft and be more intentional about their vision.
Our recently produced short film, “Old Toy Train”, will also premiere at the GFF. Written by Kevin Garbaran, it is co-directed with this writer and explores the role of women caring for elderly parents and the familial rifts that can arise due to limited resources. “Old Toy Train” had its initial premiere at a sold-out screening at the British High Commissioner’s Residence, where many audience members felt a personal connection to its themes. The film will have its official international premiere at the 33 and Me Film Festival in Pennsylvania on September 29th. This marks our second film, following “Eating Papaw on the Seashore” , to premiere at an international film festival.
“Eating Papaw” will be featured on the second night of the festival, which is dedicated to films addressing issues in the LGBTQ+ community. One of the highlights is “My Maxi,” a comedy directed by Trinidadian filmmaker Andrei Pierre, about overzealous parents doing everything they can to support their son. This seven-minute short is a burst of continuous laughter. Another film, “Raw Materials,” directed by Jamaican filmmaker Sosiessa Nixon-Kelly, is a coming-of-age story about “a fashion prodigy who is struggling to find his direction and must overcome an abusive community to fully embrace his talent and identity,” according to the official synopsis. “Raw Materials” features a strong cast of characters and while the film does explore moments of violence, it is also very tender and empowering. “My Lady Camellia” is a film from French Guiana and it is directed, written and stars Edouard Montoute. It is remarkable that he played all these roles because they were all exceptionally well done. The film’s official synopsis reads, “Patrice, Métis comedian, 40 years old, powdered and dressed as a courtesan of the 19th century, comes to win the audition organised by the all-powerful casting director Selena Meyer.”
“Tabanca” is a short film written and directed by Lauren Marsden and its synopsis reads, “Dampened by office life in Vancouver, a genderqueer Trinidadian woman misses out on the chance to celebrate Carnival season back home. Until, one night, they discover that the power of masquerade is with them no matter where they are.”
On our final night, the theme ‘Inheritance’ explores how future generations can profoundly impact our existence, even when we’re not fully aware of it. One of the featured films is “Plastico,” a Venezuelan mockumentary directed by Vero Kompalic. The film examines how political figures use imagery and violence to oppress the people, focusing specifically on Hugo Chavez’s influence (which has continued under Maduro) and how he shaped Venezuelan society to maintain power. The official synopsis describes it as “a film crew documenting a progressively sadistic commander as he forces a group of actors playing soldiers to violent ends. “Plastico” was also screened at the Locarno Film Festival Open Doors 2023, where it received a Special Mention Award. Another key film is “Walter Rodney: What They Don’t Want You to Know,” which delves into the impact of Rodney’s assassination on his loved ones and the enduring legacy of his philosophy on movements that have challenged issues of race and class.
“Pickney,” a short film, directed by Michael Jenkins, navigates the past and shows how our ancestral roots have a deep impact on our current psychological mind and why we must confront our past to deal with underlying issues. Lastly, “Into the Room,” written by Shaphan Hestick, is a short silent film that explores the cycle of domestic abuse and its impact on children. We hope that this film festival will help Guyanese audiences appreciate the work of local and regional filmmakers by showcasing such a wealth of talent.
Tickets for the festival are available for purchase at $3,000 for a one-night pass, $5,000 for two nights, or $6,000 for all three nights. Tickets can be purchased at Fresh Café on Lamaha and Carmichael, What’s Happening Guyana at 31 Bent Street (between Lime and John Street), or Prime Shipping on Sheriff Street, next door to Dave and Denny’s.
