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country through film - the actors, the music, the location, the culture, the
ambiance of Caribbean is what we showcase to the world”.
Lee hopes that through this showcase the business of tourism is stimulated
specifically as it relates to film. “The potential tourism impact, others
coming to film in Saint Lucia, the Caribbean, is tremendous.” It is not a new
concept, since major motion pictures have been filmed in the Caribbean
before, including the recent blockbuster Pirates of the Caribbean movie shot
on location in Dominica. Still, it is an idea Lee hopes will populate and in the
coming years be considered the norm rather than the exception.
Projecting a timeframe of 5 to 10 years for the Caribbean film industry to be
“booming”, Lee sees the potential for the Caribbean to position itself to be
“like Mexico or Bollywood.” However, this is no small task as it requires the
islands of the Caribbean to be considered as one regionally integrated market
place. “More can be done in the region, we need more collaboration,” Lee
says, “we must encourage working together.”
One of the greater challenges faced by the young producer in creating The
Coming of Org has not been partnerships however. On the contrary, Lee
expressed profound appreciation for fellow Caribbean producer, Frances-
Anne Solomon, observing Solomon was instrumental in bringing Caribbean
Filmmakers together through her film incubators. Rather, the primary
concern has been funding. Admitting that The Coming of Org stalled during
production due to a lack of funds, the absence of financial support could
easily have crippled the dynamic film. Traditional lending institutions require
securities and sureties and are not accommodating to the entrepreneurial
business model. “Film is an art yes, but it is also a business.” Yet Lee feels that
for her industry there is still a long way to go towards being accepted in
the financial arena as anything more than creative exploits. “Focus on
the industry more and the creative less.”
Remaining upbeat and enthusiastic, Lee hopes to be able to penetrate
the world stage with The Coming of Org and her future productions.
Caribbean music has infiltrated world arena and has in some cases “left
a definitive mark for a long time, from Bob Marley onwards”. Admittedly
there is great opportunity for music to do more but film has a much
greater gap to bridge.
Success stories of Caribbean film producers reaching international
acclaim are limited. Lee harnesses her inspiration from award-winning
Euzhan Palsy of Martinique, hailed as the first black female Director
ever produced by a major Hollywood studio for the film A Dry White
Season. Haitian-born Raoul Peck acquired international recognition for
his film Lumumba: Death of A Prophet and would also pave a path for
producers such as Lee to follow.
Already busy working on her next venture, Lee holds the well-guarded
secret plot close to her heart. Stating only that the series will “cross
between two countries”, the air is already heavy with eager anticipation
of what is next for the coming of Davina Lee.
CARIBBEAN EXPORT DEVELOPMENT AGENCY - CREATE
04FILM&Animation -thecomingoffilm
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