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Holding true to her culture and self, the decision to take the film in this
direction has proven sound judgment with The Coming of Org already being
accepted into the Cannes Court Metrage (Short Film Corner) at the widely
acclaimed international film festival.
The recently released film has been well received, especially in Martinique
where the French Creole linkage is prominent in the Caribbean. The Coming
of Org generated a much better response overseas than it did at home
however and Lee would receive an abundance of positive feedback from
“homesick Caribbean people residing away.”
While calling for more public support for Caribbean produced films, Lee
noted that her family has been extremely supportive and instrumental in
developing her career. Lee’s father is a writer, mother a photographer, sister
Esther a partner in Lee Productions and brother a member of the crew in
The Coming of Org. A family comprised of all creatively inclined individuals,
this is perhaps partly what enabled a firm support structure encouraging
Lee into the emerging field.
“When I came to Caribbean Export, I made it a mandate that the creative
industries were going to be high on our agenda,” recalls Pamela Coke-
Hamilton, Executive Director of Caribbean Export. “It is where we have a
natural competitive advantage and we must do everything in our power to
see the potential realized.” The Government of Saint Lucia has recognized
the importance of the sector and with the introduction of the Ministry of
Tourism, Heritage and the Creative Industries, has taken a bold step towards
expanding creative industries. Lee applauded the change, “with steps such
as this the creative industries are now seen as an option” and although not
integrated into the school curriculum as yet, “the foundation has been laid
towards getting there.”
Noting that traditionally students were encouraged to set sights on white-
collar careers, in recent years the creative industries are increasingly being
perceived as legitimate, viable careers paths and it is hoped that wider
support and acceptance follows.
Lee is an advocate for continual studies, training and professional
development. Acknowledging the efforts of the Saint Lucia Coalition of
Services Industries Inc. (SLCSI) and Caribbean Export to facilitate the
opportunity, Lee says she acquired “pertinent knowledge” through attending
Study Tours to Manchester, Liverpool, Berlin and Paris. The first-hand
knowledge gained about the world stage, would serve to “open (her) eyes to
the possibilities” of working together with fellow regionally based partners.
Coupled with attendance to WOMEX (World Music Expo), another initiative
coordinated through Caribbean Export, these international platforms
provided a wonderful opportunity to meet and interact with Caribbean
partners, directly increasing business for Lee Productions.
While on the one hand it is encouraging to note the direct correlation
between attending these exhibitions and establishing partnerships for
increased revenue, on the other hand Lee was disappointed to observe that
for regional business partnerships to be established and developed, travel
to international countries was required. Lee voices the concern that there
is a crucial need for more regionally based opportunities for Caribbean
businesses to interact, “we should not need to go to a world stage to meet
other Caribbean people.”
With the production and release of her first film, The Coming of Org, Lee
observes the importance of international exhibitions such as Study Tours
and WOMEX, as more than a mere convergence for regional attendees. The
venues are essential market places towards providing international exposure
of regionally produced films. This promotes the country and by extension
the Caribbean, enabling a platform for business tourism development.
“We are not just showing a movie,” Lee says, “we are exporting the whole
The Government of Saint Lucia has
recognized the importance of the
sector and with the intr oduction of
the Ministry of Tourism, Heritage
and the Creative Industries,
has taken a bold step towards
expanding creative industries.
We are not just showing a movieLee
says, we are exporting the whole
country thr ough f ilm - the actors,
the music, the location, the culture,
the ambiance of Caribbean is what
we showcase to the wor ld.