The Garrisons Of Gordon House Published: Sunday | November 13, 2011

The recent movie Ghett'A Life was perhaps the most compelling depiction of garrisonism to date, and probably as close as most Jamaicans living outside these areas will ever get to the phenomenon.

I recently asked a senior Kingstonian parliamentarian if he had seen it. His answer was: "Yes, but it reflects the past." Well, when participants of the YUTE programme were shown the movie, many broke down in tears at seeing the reality they have lived so graphically depicted. Some said it was like reliving their experiences during the last general election.

If our corporate powers that be really want to help end garrisonism, a powerful first step should be for the private sector of Jamaica to sponsor a free showing of Ghett'A Life on television. No Jamaican seeing it could fail to be ashamed of their country tolerating such injustice.

The Garrisons Of Gordon House Published: Sunday | November 13, 2011

The recent movie Ghett'A Life was perhaps the most compelling depiction of garrisonism to date, and probably as close as most Jamaicans living outside these areas will ever get to the phenomenon.

I recently asked a senior Kingstonian parliamentarian if he had seen it. His answer was: "Yes, but it reflects the past." Well, when participants of the YUTE programme were shown the movie, many broke down in tears at seeing the reality they have lived so graphically depicted. Some said it was like reliving their experiences during the last general election.

If our corporate powers that be really want to help end garrisonism, a powerful first step should be for the private sector of Jamaica to sponsor a free showing of Ghett'A Life on television. No Jamaican seeing it could fail to be ashamed of their country tolerating such injustice.

Touching And Thought Provoking

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Wednesday 2nd November 2011

Wednesday 2nd November 2011

Touching And Thought Provoking

New Jamaican film, Gett'a Life, tackles politics, friendships and gang warfare in refreshing light

Written by Hazelann Williams 
29/08/2011 07:07 AM

TALENT: Kevoy Burton stars in the film

GHETT’A LIFE is an explosive new movie about politics, friendships and growing up in a ghetto in Jamaica.

Centered on 16-year-old aspiring boxer Derrick (Kevoy Burton), the film follows the ambitious protagonist, who longs to be a professional boxer and represent Jamaica at the Olympics.

The only problem is, the gym that will make him a serious contender is in the opposing garrison (territory) – which means he has to risk his life in order to follow his dream.

Ghett’a Life vividly explores the deadly hypocrisy of Jamaican politics, as the government and army is replaced in the ghettos by power crazy ‘dons’, who manipulate MPs and do not hesitate to kill anyone in their garrison who does not obey them.

Despite the initial three minutes of violence that start the movie, viewers are sure to be enthralled by the heart-jerking rendition of a boy’s struggle to be the best boxer in Jamaica, and his determination to unify the city and stop the violence. Some parts of the film portray typical teenage dramas, but as clichéd as they may be, young love and teenage rebellion will always remain relevant.

The cinematography is as good as any Hollywood blockbuster, a refreshing sight when compared to previous Jamaican films that have, unfortunately, been known for their poor quality.

 Money was the major obstacle for Browne, as the film failed to secure adequate funding, despite winning the Hartley Merrill International Screenplay Award in 2006 at the Cannes Film Festival.

That is where producer PJ Asher stepped in. Along with Pan Caribbean Financial services, Asher was able to raise the $1,200,000 needed to produce the movie, which was then filmed and completed in just six weeks. Asher believes this was down to the hard work of the all-Jamaican crew.

“I hope this film will be used as a tool to unite our communities,” Asher said at a recent screening of the film in London.

Persevering through the setbacks, the team were able to produce a highly relevant and touching film, that screams out against the blatant violence, duplicity and greed that runs rampant in Jamaican culture.

A thought provoking film, Ghett’a Life will leave a positive effect on all who watch it.

Socially Inspiring Movie Ghett’a Life Opens this Friday

Kingston, Jamaica; The title of the Chris Browne’s eagerly anticipated film Ghett’a Life is a call to action. The film speaks to the crippling nature of the garrison politics practiced in ghettoes across the cityscape and suggests that Jamaica must move beyond this in order to “get a life” and truly tap into our potential.

That fact was not lost on the audience invited to a recent screening of the film at the Palace Cineplex, Sovereign Centre Kingston. The screening, targeting many of the nation’s decision makers including business people, academics and social workers, was hosted by newspaper mogul Oliver Clarke, who also took on the role of moderator for the discussions which followed the screening.

“Certainly when I saw the movie it made me think of the tragedy that exists in the inner city communities,” Mr. Clarke said when opening the discussion. The film’s social importance is that it provides an accurate reflection of the power of garrison politics to stymie potential specifically in your youth. In Ghett’a Life, young Derrick (Kevoy Burton) has to struggle against his father (Carl Davis) who is entrenched in partisan politics and his area don (Christopher McFarlane) in order to attempt to represent his country on the national boxing team and place country over (political) party.

“All of us who live here know these issues,” said university lecturer Damien King. Dr. King noted that what we should therefore pay keen attention to is film’s ability to communicate to a wide audience. “It’s important for us to understand the power of film to tell that story well,” he said. Indeed, several members of the audience pointed to the need for the film to be seen by all Jamaicans especially the youth.

“It’s a rough story,” declared Earl Jarrett. He noted however that the movie does offer one of the solutions to the stifling cycle of violence. “The real story,” he said, “what we need to do post the movie, is the impact of sports on these communities.” Mr. Jarrett therefore urged the private sector to make greater investments in sports as a strategic intervention against violence.

Milton Samuda confessed to having mixed feelings about the impact of the film. Mr. Samuda pointed to the complicity of the upper classes in funding political violence. He explained that while many would be sufficiently moved to take action to write a few cheques to the right causes, when the next elections arrive many may “wittingly or unwittingly” continue to support the systems which the film speaks about.

It was also noted that the political directorate needed to be taken to task for their role in perpetuating this cycle. Karen Hilliard of USAID noted that Ghett’a Life could be used as a tool to hold political leadership on both sides to a higher level of responsibility. TVJ’s General Manager Kay Osbourne extended this point by highlighting the power structures implied in the film. “What is the film saying about power in our country and what do we do about it?” she asked her fellow audience members.

Earl Witter noted that the issues illustrated in Ghett’a Life reaches far beyond class lines crossing over from the ghettoes and gullies outlined in the film. “We’re talking about one Jamaica,” Mr. Witter said, “not uptown and downtown.”

The discussion highlighted that Ghett’a Life has the potential to be more than a box-office smash and if used properly can become a tool for social change. It was noted, that while the film, which is Rated PG16, does have violent content; it is far more useful than the fantasy based violence often depicted in summer blockbusters.

“I wanted to make a film about hope,” confessed Browne, the film’s writer, director, and producer and if the result of the screening is anything to go by, Ghett’a Life, slated to premiere on July 29, 2011, may do far more than inspire hope. It may well inspire social action.

The highly anticipated Ghett’a Life opens in theatres island-wide this Friday, July 29.


The Making: Part 1



The Making: Part 2

Ghett'a Life sets new template for local film financing

Actors Lenford Salmon (left) and Chris McFarlane (right) on the set of the new Jamaican feature film, Ghett’a Life. The film is set for release on Wednesday, July 27 in local theatres.

THE highly anticipated film Ghett'a Life is slated to be released this summer. Yet, the road between the writing of the film and its eventual completion and scheduled July 2 release has stretched across a decade, with the majority of that journey spent navigating the potholes, roadblocks, and hurdles of getting the venture financed.

"The thing about Ghett'a Life is it's been a journey of 10 years," a news release from the film's publicists quotes writer, director and producer Chris Browne.

Ghett'a Life is a tale of triumph over great adversity, and the film's own road to completion is one such story where the filmmakers realise that in order to bring their dream to fruition they must chart a new path. The result is that Ghett'a Life is Jamaica's first film to be financed via a private equity fund led by PanCaribbean Financial Services.

Without the big budget financing options of the Hollywood studios, and in the absence of government entities like the British Film Council, finding the funds to make a film is one of the greatest challenges, and the inability to raise financing from Jamaican investors has long been a cry among local filmmakers.

Ghett'a Life has gone several rounds over the 10 years since the script was written and on many occasions seemed to be nearing victory.

The big break seemed to have come when the film earned the prize for Best Script at the 2006 Hartley-Merrill International Screenwriting Competition run by RKO Pictures. The prize, which is awarded in Cannes, France, is often used to leverage films for financing, but even with this impressive notch on its belt, the money continued to prove elusive.

"Still, they didn't pick it up. It didn't go anywhere," said Peter Asher, associate producer. "It just created a buzz."

Asher explained that the film had received funding approval by the British Film Council after attracting the interest of British producer Rupert Harvey. But yet again, the funding did not materialise.

"Finally, I said PJ (Asher), the only way this is going to happen is if we do this ourselves," Browne explained.

He said that once PanCaribbean came on board, in a matter of six months the funds were raised. The road, he reflected, was long, but it was a sprint to the finish. So after years of waiting to be made, the film was shot in six weeks after just four weeks of pre-production.

Co-Producer Justine Henzell is confident that all investors in the project will be pleased. She is also proud that the film was completed on time and on budget due, she said, to the dedication of the all-Jamaican crew and line producer Natalie Thompson.

According to Henzell, Ghett'a Life can give Jamaican investors confidence in the feasibility of the film industry. "I really see Ghett'a Life as the start of a new phase in our film industry in Jamaica," she said.

Raising the requisite funds also hinged on leveraging product placement. Here again, Henzell pointed out that the film managed to change the landscape.

Ghett'a Life is raising a new standard in terms of product placement in film in Jamaica," Henzell said, explaining that they ensured that only products that fit seamlessly in the film were targeted. "The challenge was persuading the companies to pay for such subtle exposure," she said.

The cast features newcomer Kevoy Burton as well as Carl Davis (Dancehall Queen, Almost Heaven, and Royal Palm Estate), Teddy Price (Small Island, Glory to Gloriana, and Royal Palm Estate), Winston 'Bello' Bell (Third World Cop, Royal Palm Estate), Karen Robinson and Actor Boy awardee Christopher McFarlane.

Director Chis Browne (seated at centre) with his film crew on the set of his highly anticipated movie, Ghett'a Life. The film is written, directed, produced and funded by Jamaicans and features an all-Jamaican cast.

Film director Chris Browne (left) and Bobby Bokowski, director of photography, at work on set of Ghett'a Life. The movie is the first Jamaican film to be fully funded by Jamaicans and features an all-Jamaican cast.

Actors Lenford Salmon (left) and Chris McFarlane (right) on the set of the new Jamaican feature film, Ghett'a Life. The film is set for release on Wednesday, July 27 in local theatres.


Source: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/entertainment/Ghett-a-Life-sets-new-template-for-local-film-financing_8949424#ixzz1OEIZOcW8

Ghett’a Life: Jamaican Film Vies for Box Office Domination Against Summer Blockbusters

The all-Jamaican film Ghett’a Life will vie for box office domination against the superheroes and villains from Hollywood and the film has sufficient clout to make fans sit up and take notice. Ghett’a Life is written, directed and produced by Chris Browne, the director of Jamaica’s highest grossing film to date Third World Cop.

Browne’s impressive resume includes the award winning short films Entry Denied and Crossfire. Ghett’a Life combines both new and experienced talent among its all Jamaican cast and crew. Ghett’a Life also brings a newcomer to the screen as Kevoy Burton, a student at Ardenne High tackles the lead role of Derek. Actor Boy Awardee Christopher McFarlane turns his years of experience on the stage to portraying the gruesome Don Sin. So, despite the familiarity of a film set in Jamaica’s ghettoes, Ghett’a Life easily separates itself from previous films by its inclusion of sports but more importantly by its focus on triumph showing the ways in which Jamaicans overcome great odds and ‘get a life’.

As the box office begins to heat up with the regular summer fare of blockbusters, the all-Jamaican film Ghett’a Life will vie for box office domination against the superheroes and villains from Hollywood. And the film has sufficient clout to make fans sit up and take notice.

Ghett’a Life is written, directed and produced by Chris Browne, the director of Jamaica’s highest grossing film to date Third World Cop. Set against the tumultuous backdrop of Kingston’s inner-city, Ghett’a Life explores one boy’s attempt to achieve boxing glory, despite the political divide that threatens to tear his community and country apart. His journey takes him on a path that will force him to defy his family and his community and the result will either destroy him or bring his community together.

Browne’s impressive resume includes the award winning short films Entry Denied and Crossfire. The director explains that the idea to create the film was sparked when he visited the Sandy Park area several years ago and saw his first community based boxing match. He was immediately taken in by the gritty, underground nature of the scene and wanted to explore it further. He then set it against the most potent issue in Jamaica, the political tribalism that splashes blood stained green or orange lines of division across many communities.

“We don’t kill one another about God, like people do in some parts of the world,” says Browne. “But what we do kill one another over is politics.” The potency with which he managed to portray this, earned the film the 2006 Hartley-Merrill International Scriptwriting Prize.

Ghett’a Life combines both new and experienced talent among its all Jamaican cast and crew. The film is co-produced, on time and on budget, by Natalie Thompson and its impressive cast includes Carl Davis (Dancehall Queen, Almost Heaven, and Royal Palm Estate), Teddy Price (Small Island, Glory to Gloriana, and Royal Palm Estate), Winston ‘Bello’ Bell (Third World Cop, Royal Palm Estate), Karen Robinson (Liars and a Real Girl, Soul Food, Bad As I Wanna Be: The Dennis Rodman Story).

Ghett’a Life also brings a newcomer to the screen as Kevoy Burton, a student at Ardenne High tackles the lead role of Derek. Explaining that he was honoured to work with the experience cast and crew, Burton reveals that he was able to tap into his own experiences in playing this role. “I realized that the character was somebody I could relate to because I grew up in a politically divided community,” he said. So though his own family was not as intense on the issue, he understood the issues Derek has to face.

Actor Boy Awardee Christopher McFarlane turns his years of experience on the stage to portraying the gruesome Don Sin. “This is an opportunity for people to take me a lot more seriously when it comes on to character building,” he says. McFarlane notes that he hopes people will be able to see that his is not another “gun movie” but will instead be able to focus on its story of triumph and achievement.

“I think the movie is opportune for the time,” comments Davis. “It’s perfect for the time we’re in when many people considering politicians and how they contribute to the destruction of values and attitudes in the country.”

So, despite the familiarity of a film set in Jamaica’s ghettoes, Ghett’a Life easily separates itself from previous films by its inclusion of sports but more importantly by its focus on triumph showing the ways in which Jamaicans overcome great odds and ‘get a life’.

Source: http://www.prweb.com/releases/prweb2011/6/prweb8506864.htm

Local Film Vies for Box Office Domination Against Summer Blockbusters!

May 11, 2011

Kingston, Jamaica; As the box office begins to heat up with the regular summer fare of blockbusters, the all-Jamaican film Ghett’a Life will vie for box office domination against the superheroes and villains from Hollywood. And the film has sufficient clout to make fans sit up and take notice.

Ghett’a Life is written, directed and produced by Chris Browne, the director of Jamaica’s highest grossing film to date Third World Cop. Set against the tumultuous backdrop of Kingston’s inner-city, Ghett’a Life explores one boy’s attempt to achieve boxing glory, despite the political divide that threatens to tear his community and country apart. His journey takes him on a path that will force him to defy his family and his community and the result will either destroy him or bring his community together. 

Browne’s impressive resume includes the award winning short films Entry Denied and Crossfire. The director explains that the idea to create the film was sparked when he visited the Sandy Park area several years ago and saw his first community based boxing match. He was immediately taken in by the gritty, underground nature of the scene and wanted to explore it further. He then set it against the most potent issue in Jamaica, the political tribalism that splashes blood stained green or orange lines of division across many communities.

“We don’t kill one another about God, like people do in some parts of the world,” says Browne. “But what we do kill one another over is politics.” The potency with which he managed to portray this, earned the film the 2006 Hartley-Merrill International Scriptwriting Prize.

Ghett’a Life combines both new and experienced talent among its all Jamaican cast and crew. The film is co-produced, on time and on budget,  by Natalie Thompson and its impressive cast includes Carl Davis (Dancehall Queen, Almost Heaven, and Royal Palm Estate), Teddy Price (Small Island, Glory to Gloriana, and Royal Palm Estate), Winston ‘Bello’ Bell (Third World Cop, Royal Palm Estate), Karen Robinson (Liars and a Real Girl, Soul Food, Bad As I Wanna Be: The Dennis Rodman Story).

Ghett’a Life also brings a newcomer to the screen as Kevoy Burton, a student at Ardenne High tackles the lead role of Derek. Explaining that he was honoured to work with the experience cast and crew, Burton reveals that he was able to tap into his own experiences in playing this role. “I realized that the character was somebody I could relate to because I grew up in a politically divided community,” he said. So though his own family was not as intense on the issue, he understood the issues Derek has to face.

Actor Boy Awardee Christopher McFarlane turns his years of experience on the stage to portraying the gruesome Don Sin. “This is an opportunity for people to take me a lot more seriously when it comes on to character building,” he says. McFarlane notes that he hopes people will be able to see that his is not another “gun movie” but will instead be able to focus on its story of triumph and achievement.

“I think the movie is opportune for the time,” comments Davis. “It’s perfect for the time we’re in when many people considering politicians and how they contribute to the destruction of values and attitudes in the country.”

So, despite the familiarity of a film set in Jamaica’s ghettoes, Ghett’a Life easily separates itself from previous films by its inclusion of sports but more importantly by its focus on triumph showing the ways in which Jamaicans overcome great odds and ‘get a life’.

PanCaribbean backs local film Ghett'a Life

May 25, 2011

GHETT' a Life, the first film to be funded by local investors through a private equity agreement handled by PanCaribbean investments is now in the market for international distribution and is still open to investment through the financial institution's Sigma Venture portfolio.

PanCaribbean raised US$1.2 million ($102 million) in private equity for the Jamaican film project, a first for the institution.

Ghett'a Life, an "against the odds" action-drama set in a politically turbulent inner-city community of Kingston, was supported by an all-Jamaican cast and crew. The film, which has won critical acclaim at the Cannes Film Festival, for its script, is gaining momentum internationally.

"Ghett'a Life will debut at Carib on July 27, and currently a team is in Cannes promoting the movie and speaking with international distributors," Donovan Perkins, CEO, PanCaribbean told the Business Observer yesterday following the company's annual general meeting (AGM). "Plans are to take the project to at least two other film festivals," he said.

Ghett' A Life is one of the assets in PanCaribbean's Sigma Venture unit trust portfolio which provides investment opportunities in private equity, junior market companies, venture capital financing for start-ups and companies in their third stage financing cycle all within local, regional and international markets. Perkins said since the launch of the two funds, Sigma Venture and Sigma Corporate a week ago, investments have grown to $270 million and there has been interest from businesses in being a part of the investment pool.

"As it relates to venture, we hope to identify projects that require pre-IPO equity or quasi-equity financing as investment candidates. We've also been contacted by persons interested in seeing if resources will be available to consider their projects — interesting developments for a capital-starved market. The challenge will be to find good projects that are already off the ground, have demonstrated a viable business model and have strong entrepreneurs with management skills," Perkins said. PanCaribbean has also provided US$400,000 ($34 million) in project financing for Bolt's Tracks and Records, the Usain Bolt-branded sports and entertainment hot spot in Kingston.

While PanCaribbean Financial Services (PCFS) is off to a stellar start at the beginning of the year, with reported profits of just over half-a-billion dollars in the first quarter, Perkins said this year the Group aims to continue its performance in investment and asset management, while increasing its focus on the PanCaribbean Bank (PCB).

"We expect our bread to continue to be buttered by our traditional business lines -- investment banking, asset management, wealth management. Our 2011 focus is to continue to build out our commercial banking services, without ignoring our core activities," Perkins said. "Philip Armstrong, PCB's managing director has had good success winning new business in the SME segment of the market in Q1 also, and expect that to build momentum for the rest of the year. Stable and improving conditions make for a better environment."

At the financial year ended December 2010, PanCaribbean boasted a record net income of $1.52 billion for the 2010 period, three per cent over the $1.4 billion reported at the end of the financial year 2009. The result reflected five consecutive years of profit growth since 2006.


Source: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/business/PanCaribbean-backs-local-film-Ghett-a-Life_8874722#ixzz1NuDjYzia

Investors Thrilled at Ghett ‘A Life Screening; Film set for Jamaica Summer Release

The producers of the feature film “Ghett’ A Life” hosted a private screening at the Palace Cineplex on Saturday, March 12 to the absolute delight of everyone in attendance. The audience responded with tears and a spontaneous burst of sustained applause at the end of the movie.

The film, written and directed by Chris Browne, is an explosive action drama that tells the riveting story of a teenager living in an inner-city community who discovers his love for boxing, only to be challenged by the political turmoil that separates his community.  The movie was hailed not only as entertaining, which it is...but most importantly, carries a powerful social commentary on how a single determined person can achieve success despite political, economic and social barriers.

Chris Browne, is most recognized for directing the 1999 action thriller - Third World Cop. His script for Ghett’A Life won the Hartley Merrill International Screenplay Award in 2006 at the Cannes Film Festival in France and serves as a good indicator of the story's quality, backed by first class local talent which will be evident when the movie hits local and regional theatres, this summer.

"I got completely caught up in the story and was taken by its emotional power,” said Andrew Young, Vice President of Special Projects, New York’s DuArt Film and Video Company, when speaking on his reaction to the screening.

In attendance were Executive Producers, The Hon. Maurice Facey and Tony Hart, along with Lennox Lewis who appears in the film and acts as Associate Producer.  Also at the private viewing was Shaggy who performs the title soundtrack, William Mahfood, Christopher Barnes, Rohan Daley, Rodney Campbell, Jomo Cato, among others.

One of the hosts, Donovan H. Perkins, President & CEO of Pan Caribbean Financial Services, heads the investment bank responsible for raising the US $1.2 Million to finance the film, commented on the screening, “I was a bit nervous at the beginning, but every investor who came was so excited about the movie and I now firmly believe that Ghett‘A Life will undoubtedly be Jamaica’s next blockbuster.  It’s not hype. I believe this film could be in the running for an Academy Award for best foreign film.  Another first for little Jamaica.”

The all-Jamaican cast and crew did an excellent job and enjoyed guidance from Director of Photography, Bobby Bukowski, graduate in film from New York University with over 43 films to his credit. The lead roles were played by 19 year-old Kevoy Burton, with an impressive film debut performance and the remarkable villain Chris McFarlane.  Other members of the esteemed cast included, Odaine Clarke, Jamaican-born Canadian actress, Karen Robinson, Lisa Williams, Kadeem Wilson, Etana, Jamaican veterans - Winston Bell, Carl Davis, Teddy Price and Lenford Salmon.

The film along with its powerful soundtrack will be released early summer in theatres across the island.