Co-Director of the Barbados Independent Film Festival Sir Trevor Carmichael (left) greets soca superstar Machel Montano, while Minister of Culture Stephen Lashley (centre) looks on during the red carpet gala event to mark the official start of the five-day festival which will end on January 15.
While thanking Lang and co-ordinators for their recognition, Montano noted that the film industry needs some attention and lauded the opportunity for Caribbean artists to interact with international greats who are attending the five-day festival.
“It is a time when technology is on the rise... young people love to create, but most importantly I think we have to tell Caribbean stories. We hardly see ourselves on the silver screen. Telling stories is about sharing, sharing who we are, and we believe that people in the Caribbean have an important role and an important story to share with the world.”
“We were brought here from all over the place and crammed into these small spaces to exist and we have found some way to love each other’s traditions as equally as we love our own.” To this end he encouraged persons in attendance to embrace the diversity of the films, while also paying attention to the similarities that exist.
He noted that the film “Bazodee” is the brainchild of Barbadian writer Claire Ince, a long-time fan who wanted to a tell a love story and share it with the world.
Stephen Lang, better known for his role in the 2009 hit “Avatar” and the more recent “Don’t Breathe” highly commended Montano, ‘the Soul of Calypso’, for his efforts over the years.
He predicted that his career as an actor will be as stunning as his work as a songwriter, producer and artist.
While offering a few pieces of advice Lang said, “If you approach acting with the same joy, passion, commitment, heart, power, strength, rage, and fury, that you have already displayed in your own art – you cant go wrong brother.” (JH)