Cannes, France - As you’re probably aware by now, the Cannes
Film Festival (or Festival De Cannes) opened yesterday, and unless you’re living under a rock, or
have little interest in the world of cinema, you would know that Cannes, as Wikipedia states is
“one of the most prestigious and publicized film festivals in
the world”.
The passion and
love here for the cinema is unparalleled: so is its love and passion for red
carpet glamour and nightlife. No other
region attracts filmmakers and markets from all around the globe like here in
the south of France in May.
Of all the film festivals, Cannes is boss.
I knew that, and this is partly why I
ventured here last year with my film
The Black Moses. What was the other reason? I wanted to
experience and feel it for myself. I hoped to learn what I could and perhaps
bring some of that wisdom and power back home to The Bahamas. This is why,
while in Cannes last year, we produced an episode of
The
Cinemas (which at the time was a small television show in the Bahamas
promoting movies). Fast forward one year and
The
Cinemas has been broadcast by our regional television network
‘Tempo Networks’.
Now, I find myself here again; not to promote my own film,
but to promote the world of cinema, and in the context of Tempo, specifically
Caribbean Cinema. While producing the Cannes
segment last year, we searched for and talked to Caribbean filmmakers, most of whom
had short films selected for Cannes’ short film corner competition and
showcase. We also searched for booth and
pavilions belonging to Caribbean countries amongst the other nations of the
world. We saw that there were film
booths set up at Cannes represented by every region from all around the world; all
engaged in trade and commerce. There were none from the Caribbean. Not one.
When I shared this with our Bahamas Film Commissioner, Craig Woods last year, he told me that he was not surprised. He attributed
this (why The Bahamas was absent) to funding, and he imagined that this was the
same reason no other Caribbean nation was present.
I wondered, but what if the Region came
together? Would the funds still not be sufficient to engage in trade at Cannes? This is partly why when we began negotiations with airing
The
Cinemas on Tempo; we knew that part of the purpose of the show was to
be proactive in helping to bridge the gaps in the Region to bring us together.
One
Caribbean nation may not be able to do it alone, but we can do it together. So we coined the term “Cariwood”
- this idea of the region coming together much like Hollywood (of America)
Nollywood (of Nigeria) or Bollywood (of India). Producer Roger Bobb of Bobbcatt
Film appeared on
The Cinemas this year and hinted at the difficulty Cariwood
because the Caribbean, unlike Nigeria or India is a Region and not a country.
Romola Lucas, CEO of Studio Anansi also hinted at the challenge because of
the often "clannish” reality that exits in the region. Both have very valid
and sober points and Tempo (which has made uniting the region its mandate for
many years now) is also all too aware of the challenges and the reality.
But hey, we’re still going to try.
What’s life without a little challenge, right? So this year, the same dilemma
remains. We’re here at Cannes and there’s not a booth represented by any Caribbean
country. Not one. But we’re here anyway. Over the next few days
The
Cinemas will aim to be that alchemical reality and hybrid of Caribbean
film at this all too important festival.
We’re inviting you to join us on this adventure through video and text at
Cannes as we (through all the promoting of Hollywood and World Cinemas) search
for Cariwood.
