Behavioural Scientist, Literary Artist & Cultural Activist
...then my living shall not be in vain
FROM GUYANA WITH LOVE:
8 Short Films produced under the President's Endowment Fund in August, 2011.
HOPE – 12 minute. A drama about Ganesh, the son of a Hindu priest who falls in love with Ayanna a destitute Afro- Guyanese dancer, which ends in an act of desperation. Written and Directed by Shaundell Phillips a school teacher from Berbice and shot on loca- tion in various parts of Berbice.
THE BACK YARD – 14 minutes. A rising pop star moves in next door to a reclusive geek who makes her fall in love with him on Facebook. When she discovers this duplicity sparks fly. Directed by Denis Harris, from a concept by Denis Ward. Written by Tiffany Vazquez and Denise Harris.
THREE CARDS – 12 minutes. A family drama about how far a father will go to save the life of his ailing daughter and how help can sometimes come from the most unexpected places. Written and directed by Michael James. Shot entirely on location in Linden.
TRADITION – 11 minute cultural fiction. A family is battling with person- al loss and the anger that this brings while a young boy is trying to hold on to the traditions of his father and the yearnings of his heart. Through the cul- tural artifact of the Masquerade, the past, present and future collide in a sur- prising end. This film is Directed by Margaret Lawrence written by Richard Pitman, Margaret Lawrence, Ayanna Waddell , Yaphet Jackman and Russell Lancaster based on a concept by Margaret Lawrence. Shot on the historic locations of The Theatre Guild, Girl Guides Pavilion and Tiger Bay.
BEACHED – 10 minute drama. A man is grappling with the loss of his wife and child following a fire which claimed everything from him. He attempts to drown himself on the sea- wall when he hears his wife calling from the shore. Written and directed by Kojo McPherson and shot on location at the Kingston Seawall in Georgetown.
LUCK BEAT HANDSOME – 11 minute comedy. A rastaman who is down on his luck plays the numbers of his bad events and with some luck and help from his friends is able to win and turn his life and that of his family around. This film is written and direct- ed by Errol Chan and is shot on Loca- tion in Rasville, Georgetown and on the East Coast of Demerara.
THE ENCOUNTER – 10 minute camp-horror-comedy. A love starved murderess haunts a hotel room looking for redemption. This film is written and directed by veteran film maker Bunny Alves and is shot in Georgetown.
THE BOTTLE – 9 minute fable. This film reenacts in a period piece, the mythofthe“Bacoo”aGuyanesetype genie in a bottle. The daughter of a poor farmer finds the enchanted bottle as he works the fields. The wily genie will grant any wish except he must have the young girls hand in marriage. Once his offer is rebuffed all hell breaks loose and the village obeah lady must be called to send him on his way. This film is written and directed by school teacher Smolana Varzwyk from Esse- quibo and is shot entirely on location in Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara
"FEMME" Three (3) Short Films about women produced under the patronage of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce in December, 2012.
TO THE NIGHT
Starring Sonia Yarde, written by Mosa Telford, directed by Kojo McPherson and produced by Richard Pitman and Dr Paloma Mohamed. To the Night is a sensitive drama centred on a mother (played by Sonia Yarde) who struggles to raise her two children. In an effort to support them financially she turns to prostitution which rattles her children’s lives. The running time was 22 minutes.
RUTH
Written and directed by Errol Chan and produced by Charmaine Blackman and Dr Paloma Mohamed. Ruth (Shanaza Lowe) focuses on the thug life of a young, desperate woman growing up on the streets, who constantly robs people to make ends meet which led to her arrest, imprisonment and subsequent change of lifestyle. She later falls in love with a man who knows nothing of her background, but her past life haunts her. This film’s running time was 13 minutes.
CHOICES
Written and produced by Smolana Varwyk, it is directed by Mike James with Dr Paloma Mohamed as executive producer. Choices is a film based on a true story. Domestic violence plagues the home of a young couple; the newly wed wife is constantly abused and finds herself trapped until she breaks out of her bondage with the help of her friend. This film’s running time was 17 minutes.