Local movie may show Cayman in new spotlight
Badir Awe, co-writer, director and producer, The Devil you Know
(CNS Business): A short film written, directed and produced by an entirely local team which opened in Grand Cayman last weekend shows that movies shot here don’t have to be about money laundering or pirates. Although The Devil you Know film is shot almost entirely in Cayman, the location is unrelated to the story and demonstrates that the islands can provide the backdrop for movies unrelated to the more common labels attached to the jurisdiction.
Writers, directors and producers, Badir Awe and Trevor Murphy are hoping to showcase the movie on the film festival circuit, not only promoting their work but the Cayman Islands as a versatile film backdrop as well. With team of more than thirty local people working on the film, from make-up and lights to camera and editing, the short production also ably demonstrates the movie-making skills that are already available on the islands.
After several showings at the local cinema on Saturday night following the 6pm premiere, hundreds of people finally got to see the movie which has received a considerable amount of attention locally as well as a little bit of funding support from government. As part of government’s continued efforts to develop a local film industry, Osbourne Bodden, the culture minister, recently presented a $1,000 cheque to the film’s Caymanian producers.
The thriller’s cast and crew are all local and local musicians are now preparing the final score. “This is a real community project. Over 30 people have taken part directly, with almost as many supporting indirectly,†said Awe, who has worked very hard to promote the movie and raise the cash needed for such an expensive venture.
Although the short version of the film is less than 20 minutes, giving the writers and directors less time to develop the tension needed for a thriller of this nature, the movie still showcases the extensive local talent available and the Cayman Islands as a film location. If Awe and his team can redirect the same promotional efforts on the world stage as they did locally and secure a showing at a film festival it could boost Cayman as a location which has so far failed to attract filmmakers in sufficient numbers to help develop the sector.
Category: Local Business, Media, Video
