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In April 2013 the International Monetary Fund (IMF)
adjusted its world economic forecast and projected an
economic growth of 3.3% for the world economy over
2012. While the increase, albeit a slight one, at first
seemed hopeful, this projection is in fact a downgrade
of their original forecast in January of the same year of
3.5% economic growth. The declining projection was
worrisome and seemed daunting at best if not dismal.
Yet, the IMF upheld their original estimation for Latin America and the
Caribbean, crediting these third world countries with favorable conditions
and increasing opportunities for sustained growth, despite constricting
external factors. ‘French-born Trinidadian’, Jean Michel Gilbert believes to
realize this growth the diversification of the regional business module to
cohesively incorporate the creative industries is a must. With this type of
progressive transition he predicts the conditions for economic growth of the
Creative Industries are favorable indeed.
Gilbert’s belief in the potential of the region’s creative industries to be a
pivotal player in the future transformation of Caribbean economic growth
is one fully shared by the region’s agency charged with the responsibility for
driving export and attracting investment—Caribbean Export Development
Agency. The agency’s executive director, Pamela Coke-Hamilton made the
burgeoning creative industries sector a primary focus of the organisation’s
work programme and has gone on record asking regional governments
to put more funding behind new programmes which encourage creative
entrepreneurship.
Certainly one who can be considered a creative entrepreneur, Jean Michel
Gilbert, a seasoned producer and owner of the Trinidad-based film
production company Maturity Productions and Caribbean Music Group
(CMG) is encouraged by the positive strides towards developing Caribbean
music and film within the past decade. Noting that in the Caribbean the
film industry has taken a “giant step” with this genre, Gilbert is reassured
film is becoming more socially acceptable as a viable avenue for careers
and businesses. Though commendable, Gilbert is quick to point out that the
industry has far to go and needs the right affiliations and partnerships to get
there as it continues its attempts at penetrating the international scene.
His conviction is not an unfounded one, rather it is a conclusion cultivated
from personal experience. Gilbert is known for his creative documentary
work including Calypso @ Dirty Jim’s (2006) and Soca Power in Trinidad
and Tobago (2007). His most celebrated work to date, however, is the
intimate portrait of one of calypso’s most notable females, Calypso Rose.
The 85-minute documentary, Calypso Rose: Lioness of the Jungle launched
in 2012 at the Cannes Film Festival, was an “extremely challenging” feat to
accomplish.
The producer admits he was “expecting a positive outcome” and the
astounding effort would bewell rewardedwith Lioness of the Jungle achieving
second place in the documentary category at FESPACO (Pan-African Film and
Television Festival of Ouagadougou), the largest film festival in Africa. The
award acknowledges that while the film maintained an authentic Caribbean
A SOUNDING
VIEW OF
DIVERSIFICATION
Gil bert’s belief in the
potential of the region’s
creative industries to
be a pivotal player in the
future transformation
of Caribbean economic
gr owth is one ful ly shared
by the region’s agency charged
with the responsibility
for driving export and
attracting investment—
Caribbean Export
Development Agency.