Island Hopping Film Festival at Cinema Paradiso/Actor Paul Campbell to attend

Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival Hosts

A Celluloid Cruise to The Islands

The First Island Hopping Film Festival

June 24 – June 30 at Cinema Paradiso

Actor Paul Campbell to Attend Screening of Lunatic

and be inducted on the Raggae Walk of Fame

The Fort Lauderdale Int’l Film Festival (FLIFF) will hold their first Island Hopping Film Festival from June 24 – June 30, 2010 on location at Cinema Paradiso.  Sponsored by the Knight Foundation as part of the Around the World in 80 Nights program  a diversity series presenting different cultures, The Island Hopping Film Festival is a celebration of the island spirit with film, special events, culture and music spanning the globe from the Caribbean, the Pacific and Southeast Asia.  Forget using frequent flyer miles or maxing a credit card as this exotic cinematic experience is free. In fact, thanks to the Knight Foundation, the entire AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 NIGHTS program has been completely free to the public.

“To have the varied cultures of the world’s most interesting ports of call portrayed on film will certainly be as if Islands Magazine came to life at Cinema Paradiso,” commented Gregory von Hausch, President and CEO of the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival. “Be warned, anyone that views these films will be plotting their next trip,”

The festival will open Thursday, June 24 with Viva Cuba, the first ever Cuban film to be awarded the ‘Grand Prix Écrans Juniors’ for children’s cinema at the 2005 Cannes Film Festival.

Jamaica’s most heralded contemporary actor of stage and screen, Paul Campbell, will attend the screening of The Lunatic, the story of a village madman (he talks to trees) who meets Inga, a German nymphomaniac who uses her ‘pum pum power’ to capture his heart.   Campbell is recognized not only in Jamaica, but also throughout the Caribbean, United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Japan and throughout Africa.  At the screening, Campbell will be inducted on the Reggae Walk of Fame. The Consulate General of Jamaica will be attending as well as Bob Marley’s son Kymani Marley. Rita Marley is also expected to attend.

Other film highlights include:

  • The Sweetest Mango (Antigua), a romantic comedy and the highest grossing film ever to show in Antigua, outshining high budget film giants such as Titanic and Jurassic Park.
  • The Goat/Kadin (The Phillappines), filmed entirely on the picturesque island of Sabtang, Batanes captures the beauty of the Chavayan village, which is nominated as one of UNESCO’s world heritage sites.  Watching Kadin is the next best thing to being there. Every shot leaves each audience member with oh’s and ah’s moments.
  • The Land Has Eyes (Fiji) is first Fijian film to be submitted for nomination for an Oscar focuses on an industrious Rotuman teen who aspires to someday win a scholarship to Fiji.
  • The Other Side of Heaven (Tonga) stars Anne Hathaway and is based on John Groberg’s memoir In the Eye of the Storm, produced by Jerry Molen, Academy Award winning producer of Schindler’s List and Jurassic Park.
  • The Island of my Ancestors (The Republic of Kiribati), An Uncertain Future (Papua New Guinea), Coral Currency Takes A Dive (Samoa) and Ad Jolet: Anikien RiMajol Kon Climate Change (Republic of the Marshall Islands)  provide an intriguing look at the impact of climate-change on the islands.
  • Metamorphosis of Anguilla and Memories of Our Past (St Barth) trace the history and share the stories of their past.
  • Eye of the Dolphin (The Bahamas), directed by Michael D. Sellers and written by multiple EMMY® Award Winner Wendell Morris, follows a fourteen year old girl who is sent to live with her father in the Bahamas and discovers the astonishing gift she has for communicating with dolphins.

Over 25 islands will be represented including: Cuba, Antigua, Martinique, the Dominican Republic, Papua New Guinea, Martinique, Sri Lanka, Samoa and Cook Islands.   FLIFF will also present a Children film series that includes the Islands of Montserrat, Curacao, Little Cayman, Singapore and Malta.

In conjunction with the The Island Hopping Film Festival, FLIFF will host two contests for a chance to win a one year subscription to Islands Magazine.

The first is a photo contest.  Entries will be featured prior to film presentations during the festival. and one winner, with the best photo (selected by FLIFF staff) will receive a one year subscription to Islands Magazine.  Photos submitted must be from a personal trip to any Island with a one sentence description. Photos must be in jpg format and emailed by June 22 to Christine Abramson at fliffislands@gmail.com

The second contest, taking place June 24 – July 5, is being held to encourage attendees of the Island Hopping Film Festival to write and email one paragraph about any one festival film that impacts them the most.  The winning entry, selected by FLIFF staff, will receive a one year subscription to Islands Magazine and will be published in the 25th Annual Fort Lauderdale Int’l Film Festival Catalogue.  Entries must be emailed to fliffislands@gmail.com

For information visit http://www.FLiFF.com or call 954-760-9898.

Venue: Cinema Paradiso, 503 SE 6 Street, Fort Lauderdale.  Just east of the Broward County Courthouse on the south bank of the New River.

Parking: Monday-Friday parking is free after 6:00pm at meters and in the Courthouse Parking Garage. On Saturday parking is free all day in the Courthouse Parking Garage and after 6:00pm at meters.  On Sunday parking is free all day and evening at meters and in the Courthouse parking garage.

Film Schedule & Synopsis

THURSDAY, JUNE 24

7:00PM Viva Cuba (Cuba)

Directors: Juan Carlos Cremata Malberti and Iraida Malberti Cabrera |80 min

Viva Cuba became the first ever Cuban film to be awarded the ‘Grand Prix Écrans Juniors’ for children’s cinema at the 2005 Cannes Film Festival. Maul is from an upper-class family and her single mother does not want her to play with Jorgito, as she thinks his background is coarse and commonplace. Jorgito’s mother is a poor socialist that is proud of her family’s social standing. She places similar restriction on her son. What neither woman recognizes is the immense strength of the bond between Malu and Jorgito. When the children learn that Malu’s mother is planning to leave Cuba, they decide to run away together.

8:30PM Puerto Rico (TBD)

FRIDAY, JUNE 25

6:00PM  Pohnpei Experiences Global Warming (Federated States of Micronesia)

Conservation Society of Pohnpei | English/Pohnpeian | 2008 |13 min

Tells the story of unexpected sea level rise and its impact on the lives of the people of Pohnpei. Though Pohnpei is a mountainous island, the majority of its citizens live in the coastal area and have experienced unexpected sea level rise several times in the first months of 2008. As low-lying atolls, the five outer islands of Pohnpei State are particularly vulnerable to any change in sea levels. The film examines ways in which the Conservation Society of Pohnpei, a local NGO, and the Pohnpeian people are responding to this growing threat.

6:15PM Meena 5 (Cook Islands)

Pitt Media Group | English| 2008 |10 min

In February 2005, the Cook Islands were hit by Cyclone Meena, bringing with it winds of over 80 knots and storm surge that caused flooding of many areas. With the storm’s passing, most thought the worst was behind them. However, in the course of the next month the Cooks experienced four more tropical cyclones – an unprecedented number in such a short period of time. This film looks at the aftermath of the 2005 events and asks whether this is a sign of things to come as the result of global climate change.

7:00PM  Small Crime (Cyprus)

Directed by Christos Georgiou / 2004 / 85 min

Stuck in a sleepy beach town on a remote island in the Aegean Sea, rookie cop Leonidas (Aris Servetalis) yearns to work big-time cases in the city. Instead his only challenges are traffic stops and nude tourists. When the town drunk, Zacharias, is found dead at the base of a cliff, the novice finally gets his chance to prove his mettle in this romantic comedy filmed entirely on Thirrassia. This charming film has the viewer contemplating life’s choices, and admiring the idyllic life of Leonidas.

8:30PM  Peck on the Cheek (Sri Lanka)

Director: Mani Ratnam / 2002 / 136 min

A critically-acclaimed Tamil Indian feature film directed by Mani Ratnam, presents a glimpse of the Island of Sri Lanka at civil war, through the eyes of a child of Sri Lankan Tamil parentage. The epic film premiered at the 2002 Toronto International Film Festival, and was selected as India’s official entry to the 2004 Cannes Film Festival

SATURDAY, JUNE 26

Children’s Films 10:00AM – Noon

10:00AM  Redhill (Singapore) 15 min

Bukit Merah is a hill in Singapore. In English, it means “red hill.” According to Malay legend, it is called Redhill because a mysterious event took place there many years ago when the island was still populated by small fishing villages. A young boy and his grandmother live atop that hill until the day the boy angers the Raja’s advisor, and they have to flee for their lives. See how the events unfold in this classic pourquoi folktale from Singapore.

10:15AM  My Little Island (Montseratt) 30 min

From the critically acclaimed, Emmy Award-winning PBS children’s series, Reading Rainbow, this program presents the book by Frane Lessac. A young boy takes his best friend to visit the little Caribbean island of Montserrat, where he was born. Then, host LeVar Burton travels to Montserrat where he tours the town of Plymouth and the open market, and islander Danny Sweeny takes viewers on a “mountain chicken” (frog) hunt and shows them an iguana.

10:45AM  Countries Around the World – Malta (Malta) 13 min

Boat in the waters surrounding the capital city of Valetta to see the ramparts fortifications once used to repel pirates! Once back on land, you will visit an outdoor market and attend a ceremony honoring a battle known as the Great Siege. Learn about some of the cultural traditions, history, climate and politics of Malta, including the importance of the Knights of the Order of Malta to the national identity. After taking a ferry to the island of Gozo, you will complete the journey by cruising through the crystal-clear waters of a grotto.

11:00AM  Captain Jon’s Island Adventure (Little Cayman) 35 min

Captain Jon takes a voyage to the Caribbean Island of Little Cayman in this live-action adventure, featuring amazing underwater footage. In this adventure, Captain Jon introduces coral fish, sea turtles, huge iguanas and hermit crabs, and takes a stunning dive in the Status Submarine to find out about life in the deep ocean.

11:30AM Kids Sea Camp (Curacao) 30 min

Young hosts present a behind-the-scenes tour of the Kids Sea Camp on the Caribbean island of Curacao in this live-action program. During the certified kids program, Matt refines his scuba skills, studies underwater ecology and learns about fish identification, underwater navigation and more.

12:30AM  Eye of the Dolphin – Bahamas (Rated PG)

Director: Michael D. Sellers | 2006 |102 min

Starring: Carly Schroeder, Adrian Dunbar, George Harris, Jane Lynch, Christine Adams and Academy Award® nominee Katharine Ross

Directed by Michael D. Sellers and written by multiple EMMY® Award Winner Wendell Morris, Eye of the Dolphin takes place on Grand Bahama Island. Fourteen year old Alyssa (Carly Schroeder: “The Lizzie McGuire Movie”, “Firewall” ) has been living with her Grandmother (Katharine Ross). Troubled and lost, it is decided she should go to the Bahamas to live with the father she never knew she had. Caught in the difficult realization of having a father, coupled with the adjustment to island culture, she seeks refuge in the discovery of the astonishing gift she has for communicating with dolphins.

Director’s Notes On Filming Eye of the Dolphin In the Bahamas

Filming in the Bahamas was both a delight and a challenge. We had wonderful support from the people of Smith Point — the real town that is featured in the story. In the movie the people of Smith Point play themselves — meaning we didn’t bus in extras from outside, but rather made sure to use the local townspeople and they were great. The fish fry that’s featured in the story is a real tradition that the people of Smith Point started in the aftermath of two devastating hurricanes. Nowadays the town, whose population is about 150, swells to as many as 1500 people every Wednesday night when they do the fish fry. We also had terrific support from UNEXSO, the dolphin and dive facility that provided our dolphins — and from the Film Commission, especially commissioner Craig Woods and Grand Bahama Film Commission Rep Donna Mackey. Were there challenges? A few “key words” come to mind: island, animals, children, water, boats, underwater — you get the picture. Oh, and hurricanes. Our last shooting day was finished as a hurricane was approaching — if you notice the curtains blowing like crazy in the scenes in the family home, that’s why. Contending with all of this on an indie film budget was challenging in the extreme — but we’d all do it again. In fact we did — we made a sequel, Beneath the Blue, which will be coming out next fall. One thing I’d like to say, though — is that we never got held up by the dolphins not doing what they were supposed. They were as close to perfect as we could ask — always did what was expected of them and never any surprises. We all felt privileged to work with them and yes — you really do feel something special when you’re in the water working with them. And by the way, if you want to go hang at the Smith Point Fish Fry or swim with “our” dolphins — you fly into Freeport, Grand Bahama Island and stay in the wonderful resort of Port Lucaya. Smith Point and the dolphins are a 5 minute ride from Port Lucaya.

2:30PM Film TBD

5:00PM Film TBD

SUNDAY, JUNE 27

Noon Metamorphosis of Anguilla (Anguilla)

Directors: Cédric Robion, Juan Gélas | 2009 | 51 minutes

VS Naipaul dismissed Anguilla as a mistake. Cédric Robion and Juan Gélas are rather more sympathetic in their portrait of this tiny Caribbean island, a British overseas territory with just over 10,000 inhabitants and a colorful history that belies the size and apparent tranquility of the place. Starting with the military invasion occasioned by the political unrest of the late 1960s, the film traces the recent past, from days of economic hardship to the coming of the island’s dubious saviour, tourism. Interviews with older Anguillans tell of a simpler time of fishing, making music and sailing, the islanders’ once-great passion. There are also interviews with personalities such as the feisty ex-revolutionary Ronald Webster, the former premier and staunch royalist Sir Emile Gumbs, and the noted musician Bankie Banx.

To purchase this DVD email the director Cedric Robion at telemacprod@yahoo.fr, who is currently filming his next documentary in Marie-Galante, a tiny island near Guadeloupe.

1:00PM Rue Cases-Negres / Sugar Cane Alley (Martinique)

Director: Euzhan Palcy. | 1983 |103 min

The teenage life and adventures of young José who lives in a shanty-town on Martinique in the mid-’30s comprises the body of this well-wrought film on how to enjoy what you have. José lives with his grandmother and is well aware of the French colonial presence but they are far away from his world. He gets into mischief, learns valuable lessons on living from an old former slave, drinks too much one time, and even sets fire to one of the run-down shanties. Regardless of his pranks, José never lets up on his studies and in the end, his diligence pays off.

Darling Legitmus won the “Best Actress” award at the 1983 Venice Film Festival for her role as the grandmother in this film, and Rue Case Negres received the 1983 Cesar for “Best First Film” for director Euzhan Palcy.

3:00PM  The Lunatic (Jamaica)

Director: Lol Creme |1991| 93 min

SPECIAL GUEST: Star Paul Campbell will attend the screening and be inducted on the Reggae Walk of Fame http://www.bobartsinstitute.edu The Consulate General of Jamaica will be attending as well as Bob Marley’s son Kymani Marley with possibly attendance by Rita Marley.

The story of a village madman, Aloysius (Paul Campbell) is portrayed from a Jamaican prospective with an acute eye for the authentic dialect of the land. Aloysious has the amazing ability to talk to anything, including trees, cows and cricket balls. When he meets Inga, a German nymphomaniac, who uses her ‘pum pum power’ to capture his heart the story takes a comical turn that is laugh-out-loud funny.

ABOUT PAUL CAMPBELL: Paul Campbell is heralded as Jamaica’s most popular contemporary actor of screen and stage. In Jamaica his distinctive voice can be heard, on the local radio as the voice of Fame-FM where he delivers the station’s many sound bites. He is recognized not only in Jamaica, but also throughout the Caribbean, the African American Communities in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Japan and throughout Africa, For his leading roles in Palm Picture’s Lunatic, The (1991), the notorious and unforgettable villain priest, in Dancehall Queen and the highest grossing film out of Jamaica, Third World Cop. In this film, Paul portrays a larger than life heroic cop Capone, who must wrestle with his personal and professional loyalties.
His screen credits include Jamaica Beat with Sheryl Lee Ralph and Wide Sargasso Sea, shown on Showtime, Shottas (2001), First Sunday and Machete Joe. Television credits include leading roles in Entry Denied, Final Verdict, Country of the one-Eyed God, and Salome for Television Jamaica Corporation.
His stage credits include leading roles in Intermission, Flame Heart, Checkers, The Mikado, and White Witch of Rose Hall, Foreign Mind, Masquerade and Mansong for various prestigious theaters companies. Paul Campbell has also worked in the United Kingdom and the United States, his credits include the lead role of Bogle in “Catch A Fire” for BBC TV, and the lead roles in the stage productions Nine Nights, Whiplash, Jumbie Jamboree and Shakespeare’s “The Merchant of Venice”. His New York credits include the world premiere of the Stage Production, Christopher Columbus by Nikos Kazantzakis (Zorba the Greek and The Last Temptation of Christ) directed by Tony Award winner, Mr. Lloyd Richards.
Mr. Campbell, who attended the Jamaica School of Drama in Kingston, Jamaica is also an accomplished painter whose works have been exhibited in Kingston, Jamaica, London, England and Lugano, Switzerland. Mr. Campbell was honored at the Media-mix 25th Anniversary Award Ceremony were he won the Doctor Bird Award (The Jamaican Academy Award) for excellence of performance in film and Television. Mr. Campbell has also been awarded the best actor award at the Jamerican Film and Music Festival two years in succession.

5:00PM  El Duque de La Bachata / The Duke of Bachata (Dominican Republic)

Director: Adam Taub | 2009 | 54 min

El Duque de la Bachata is the story of Joan Soriano, a Bachata Musician from the Dominican Republic, as he struggles to reach his goal of a hit CD and success as a musician. It is also the story of his large extended family living in the rural countryside of Monte Plata as they dream along with him, hoping that his success will improve their economic situation and quality of life.

To purchase the film, please visit http://bachatamovie.com/

6:00PM The Sweetest Mango (Antigua)

Directed by Howard Allen | 2001 | 90min

The highest grossing film ever to show in Antigua, outshining high budget film giants such as Titanic and Jurassic Park, this romantic comedy follows Lovely Anne ¨Luv¨ Davies, as she returns from Canada to Antigua the home of her birth. While adjusting back to island life, Anne faces professional turmoil and personal drama, including being caught up in an unexpected love triangle.

Howard and Mitzi Allen began in the 1990’s as independent producers of documentaries, corporate and industrial videos, music videos, and television programs. They began creating films in 2002. Their first movie, The Sweetest Mango is based on how Howard and Mitzi met and fell in love. The film cost only $100,000 to make, Mitzi Allen says, “We knew we could either build our dream house or make a movie. We decided that we wanted to make a film.” Their films provide a rich cultural cinematic lens through which the audience can experience Antigua and its people in a meaningful way. The overriding theme in their movies is the communication of the Caribbean cultural viewpoint. Howard Allen explains, “The story of the Caribbean is our story and the story of our films.”

7:30pm  De Memoire d’ Anciens / Memories of Our Past (St Barth)

Director: Victoire Theismann | 2007 | 52 min

40 years ago in St Barthélemy, there were no roads, no running water, no electricity….Old-timers share the adventures of their lives, from working in the salt flats to selling contraband on schooners, weaving palm fronds, and sailing as stowaways to Saint Thomas. In the space of a lifetime, they experienced a whole new world in Saint Barthelemy.

To purchase this DVD email the producer Cedric Robion at telemacprod@yahoo.fr, who is currently filming his next documentary in Marie-Galante, a tiny island near Guadeloupe

MONDAY. JUNE 28

6:00PM   Ad Jolet: Anikien RiMajol Kon Climate Change (Republic of the Marshall Islands)

High Tide Productions | Marshallese/English | 2008 |5 minutes

As one of the most vulnerable nations in the world, the Marshalls are among the very first to experience the devastating effects of sea level rise and other climate-related problems. Interviews with Marshallese from different segments of society shed light on the costs involved with the loss of their homeland and cultural identity as a result of climate change.

6:15PM Kadin / The Goat (Philippines)

Director: Adolfo Alix | 2007

If you have dreamed about visiting Batanes, watching Kadin is the next best thing. Every shot leaves each audience member with oh’s and ah’s moments. The dirt path roads, and the storm beaten stone houses below lush green mountains, offers a place untouched by modernization. It’s laid back way of life, reminds us of taking time to smell the proverbial flowers along life’s journey. Filmed entirely in the picturesque island of Sabtang, Batanes, Kadin captures the beauty of the Chavayan village, which is nominated as one of UNESCO’s world heritage sites. Brother and sister, Peping and Lita, spend a day searching for their missing goat, which is the family’s source of income.

Directors comments: In this age where people are more concerned with technology- iPods, cellphones, laptops, I wanted to confront the basic issues of living. What if a family’s only source of income gets lost? At what lengths would you go to find it? I did my research and found out how goats are very important in Batanes. That’s how I decided to set ‘KADIN’ in Batanes,” reveals Director Adolfo Alix Jr. (Adolfo’s previous films at FLiFF: Donsol, and Adela.)

7:45PM  The Land Has Eyes (Fiji)

Director: Vilsoni Hereniko | 2004 | 91 min

The first Fijian film to be submitted for nomination for an Oscar.

This most satisfying tale of triumph and assertion focuses on Viki (Sapeta Taito), an industrious Rotuman teen who aspires to someday win a scholarship to Fiji. Strong-minded, which is not considered a virtue by the women in her family as well as her peers, Viki takes it upon herself to do what her more traditional parents cannot accomplish. Brimming with gentle wisdom, courtesy of writer-director Vilsoni Hereniko, the luscious visualizations are inspiring portraits of not only a land but, most satisfyingly, the vibrant heritage that gave the strength to this young girl’s triumph’ – Duane Byrge, The Hollywood Reporter.

TUESDAY, JUNE 29

6:00PM The Island of My Ancestors (Republic of Kiritbati)

Naamon Marae/Television Kiribati Limited | te taetae ni Kiribati/English |2008 |18 minutes

An intriguing look at the climate-related problems faced by Kiribati and the unique solutions it has developed. The film focuses on the threat posed to the rich I-Kiribati cultural heritage by climate change, in addition to the potential loss of their homeland.

7:00PM The Other Side of Heaven (Tonga)

Director: Mitch Davis / 2001 / 113 min

Based on John Groberg’s memoir In the Eye of the Storm, produced by Jerry Molen, Academy Award winning producer of Schindler’s List and Jurassic Park; The Other Side of Heaven marked the directorial debut of screenwriter Mitch Davis. In 1953, John Groberg (Christopher Gorham), a 19-year-old student at Brigham Young University, accepts a missionary assignment on a remote isolated island called Niuatoputapu in the Tonga Islands, whose contact to the outside world was an occasional telegraph and visiting boat. Leaving behind his sweetheart, Jean Sabin (Anne Hathaway), John is instructed to “build a kingdom” and educate the natives about the Mormon faith, even though he knows little of their customs and nothing of their language.

DVD copies of “The Other Side of Heaven” may be purchased from Walt Disney Home Entertainment at othersideofheaven.com.”

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30

6:00PM  An Uncertain Future (Papua New Guinea)
Pacific Black Box, Inc.| Pidgin/English, 2008|10 min

A comprehensive look at the environmental, cultural and social impacts of climate change on Papua New Guinea’s rich heritage.

6:15PM Coral Currency Takes a Dive (Samoa)

Holly Pepper, Julia Scott-Stevenson, Ed Langham and Anna Gero

Samoan/English | 2008 |15 minutes

Pristine beaches, swaying coconut palms, turquoise waters: the images of Samoa that are conjured in the minds of people around the world. Samoa relies on its natural beauty to attract visitors from overseas, and these visitors are vital to the country’s economy. But climate change has the potential to greatly impact on the natural environment, the very thing that is so important to the functioning of the tourism industry. This documentary by a group of Australian volunteers in Samoa examines those potential impacts, and the effects they may have on the livelihoods of the Samoan people.

7:00PM New Zealand (TBD)

Spread the love!