The Hidden Crime: Violence Against Men

There are many men in Trinidad and Tobago and the Caribbean who have been abused by their spouses, partners or girlfriends, and cannot seek help for lack of proof and mainly because of their ego. Most men tend to shy away and keep it hidden which causes more problems for them. Currently there are only shelters for abused women and none for men. Ideally, all abused persons, men or women should have shelters and support for their trauma. That is why I am producing a documentary film to be used as a tool to create awareness and sensitize the public, government agencies, charities/nonprofits, and advocacy groups on this issue. The Hidden Crime Behind Close: Violence Against Men is a documentary film produced by Oyetayo Raymond Ojoade. This film is intended to raise awareness that men are victims as well and they need the same psychological and financial assistance, shelters and safe houses and counseling that the battered women get access to. Take action and spread the word today. This thought provoking documentary film is now available on demand.

Local Content

Local Content

Its about time!

Finally local content is now being made available on TTT.

This is a chance for local filmmakers to earn some money and reinvest in their film productions.

https://newsday.co.tt/2019/02/18/filmco-ttt-deal-local-content-3-nights-a-week/

Caribbean Films

More stories are being told by local filmmakers.

More film festivals are opening up to explore the TALENT in the Caribbean.

The most recent is the Hairouna Film Festival in St Vincent and the Grenadines.

https://newsday.co.tt/2019/02/20/tt-films-for-svg-first-film-festival/

Caribbean Films on Demand

Interested in Caribbean culture and heritage?

Are you looking for something new and informative?

You can stream these documentaries On demand.
LRS Productions 

Bottom in de Road

Shouters and the Control Freak Empire

The Madonna Murti

LRS Productions Limited Video Advertisement

LRS Productions

Bottom in de Road movie

Bottom in de Road is a hilarious documentary that examines another kind feminism where women of all shapes and sizes show and parade their bodies dancing to calypso and soca music primarily during carnival but also to dance hall music.

 Bottom in de Road will be screened at the CaribbeanTales Film Festival on 14th September 2016 at the Royal Theatre, 608 College St. Toronto.   

Santigoon: Di Saamaka Konde

Stichting Eva is an NGO in Suriname that was established in 2006 and named after a well known villager of Santigoon whose name was Eva Pinas. She lived from May 24th 1924 to November 8th 2003 and was known in the village as “Thatcher” named after Margaret Thatcher, because she was a strong lady who was well respected. Eva Pinas was also a Basja of Santigoon village. Stichting Eva wants to use this documentary film to tell people from all over the world about Santigoon and its unique culture, hospitality, diversity and beauty. By doing so the rules and the culture of Santigoon will be respected and preserved. This initiative by Stichting Eva will help contribute to the implementation of the development of Santigoon a Maroon village in the Wanica district of Suriname. Santigoon: Di Saamaka Kondë uses narrative, illustrations and song to tell a story of a one time famous village that has lost its glory.

Caribbean films make waves around the world

Caribbean filmmakers are making waves around the world. It has not been easy; it has been a rough ride for many and still is for several especially newcomers into the market. What is the major challenge Caribbean filmmakers face? I think it is that the cinemas prefer to show Hollywood block busters so there is no opportunity for domestic publicity. The media houses are accommodating foreign content more than local content. This is widespread throughout the Caribbean, however there have been a few successful cases. These need to be leveraged upon to help promote the local industry regionally and internationally. Some initiatives that have helped in recent years are the Film Commissions, Film Festivals and policies (in some countries). There are a lot of stories to be told, and it's unfortunate when a outsider has to tell you your own story! What is needed is a change in mindset to value what the Caribbean has - our creativity!

The Shouters and the Control Freak Empire Movie on Demand

The Shouters and the Control Freak Empire Movie on Demand
Shouters and the "Control Freak" Empire - Trailer from Oyetayo Ojoade
LRS Productions

Madonna Murti movie on Demand

The Madonna Murti Movie on Demand
Madonna Murti - Trailer from Oyetayo Ojoade
LRS Productions

The Madonna Murti now on Demand

The Madonna Murti now on Demand

The Shouters and the Control Freak Empire now on Demand

The Shouters and the Control Freak Empire now on Demand

The Shouters and the Control Freak on Demand

The Shouters and the Control Freak Empire movie is now available on demand on Vimeo's VOD platform.
Help us Spread the Word by blogging, tweeting & posting on Twitter, Facebook and other social media you use.

The Madonna Murti on Demand

The Madonna Murti movie is now available on demand on Vimeo's VOD platform.
Help us Spread the Word by blogging, tweeting & posting on Twitter, Facebook and other social media you use.

Caribbean Films on Demand

The Madonna Murti is now available on demand

After 3 years of hard work the directors of The Madonna Murti documentary film are very excited today to announce the launch of a Video on Demand rental service starting on 4th November 2014.

The Madonna Murti has gone through its theatrical release with several private and public screenings in many countries. 

During this period The Madonna Murti film won two awards: Best Shorts Competition (La Jolla, California) - 'Awards of Excellence', September 2012 and Indie Fest - 'Awards of Merit', October 2013

There have been numerous publications and reviews on this film.

We want to reach the many viewers who were not able to see the film and those who would like to see it again. 

You now have an opportunity to watch the film with this booming technology on the Internet thanks to our partnership with Vimeo.

The Shouters and the Control Freak Empire is now available on demand

The directors of The Shouters and the 'Control Freak' Empire documentary film are very excited today to announce the launch of a video on Demand rental service starting on 4th November 2014.

The Shouters and the Control Freak Empire has gone through its theatrical release with several public screenings in many countries around the world.

The film won the Best International Short Documentary award at the Columbia Gorge International Film Festival in 2011.

We want to reach the many viewers who were not able to see the film and those who would like to see it again. 

You now have an opportunity to watch the film with this ever evolving technology on the Internet thanks to our partnership with Vimeo.

For Love of Caribbean Films

• There is a need to establish a taste for Caribbean films in the Caribbean community! 
• This is very difficult since the standard in our communities, is still predominantly, Hollywood films.
• Some people might argue that the films are of low quality or they are too short or the genre are not the mainstream or there are not enough films, etc...
• However over the last couple of years I have definitely seen a push for higher quality, varying genre of different lengths up to and including features.
• The number of film festivals around the Caribbean has increased; there are international partnerships and various programs aimed at creating buzz, promoting the Caribbean as a film destination, marketing the local filmmakers and creating an environment conducive for a thriving local film industry.
• We are swamped with films from Hollywood and the local indie filmmaker is often overlooked, his/her stories are not even considered at times.
• How else would the local indie filmmaker who has some great creative ideas to promote the rich cultural heritage of the Caribbean in film be given a chance if the people of the Caribbean and its Diaspora don't watch their films.
• Until there is a demand for Caribbean films locally and internationally the Caribbean indie filmmaker has to do a lot for his/her film to be appreciated and even more for the people of the Caribbean and its Diaspora to want to pay to watch them.
• There are many initiatives ongoing and the initiators must be applauded for their efforts!
• The Caribbean indie filmmakers should also consider the various technology now available to help produce, market and distribute their films.

CaribbeanShortFilmsHD

Madonna Murti

Synopsis

Where else in the world is black beautiful, baffling and brings together East and West? In South Trinidad at the Siparia Roman Catholic Church in that "city of sand", a black female statue venerated by Catholics as the Virgin Mary and worshipped by Hindus as a black Hindu Goddess does just that! To Catholics who follow her in street processions, the statue is known as "La Divina Pastora", the Divine Shepherdess - to Hindus who charawe her by touching her arms and feet, she is hailed as 'Sipari Mai', (Mother of Siparia) "Siparee Ke Mai" or 'Mother Kali'. As such, she remains the only symbiosis of Catholicism and Hinduism in the Western hemisphere.

Mystery shrouds her origin and about her, legends and myths abound. Though barely three feet tall when fully clothed, this statue draws pilgrims from every creed and race and the social, cultural and religious rites which accompany her devotions continue to intrigue the world.

Well known to pilgrims and devotees who profess her numerous miracles of healings and answered prayers, she is particularly revered by barren women to whom she has given the gift of children and in turn, she receives many gifts of gold and grains, fabric and flowers.

The Madonna Murti features candid interviews with poojaris, pilgrims, pundits and priests as well as academic experts who have tried to understand her, artists who have tried to capture her illusive image and writers who have tried to tell her story, The Madonna Murti utilizes narrative, drama, illustrations and song to tell the tale of a statue who offers health, hope, help and happiness to those who come to her most in need of it.
 

Awards

The Madonna Murti won the Best Shorts Competition Awards of Excellence (La Jolla, California) in September 2012 -http://www.bestshorts.net/

The Madonna Murti won the 'Awards of Merit' from Indie Fest in October 2013 – http://www.theindiefest.com

Publications

“Religious Double Belonging” in Trinidad and Tobago

http://caribbeantheologytoday.net/20th-anniversary-conference/ -

Pilgrimage to La Divina Pastora

http://216.246.10.170/features/0,193552.html

‘La Divin’ pilgrims lead the way

http://www.catholicnews-tt.net/joomla/letters/5154-the-ghost-of-henry-charles-nov-24?start=1

The Madonna Murti and the Great Commission

http://www.catholicnews-tt.net/joomla/viewpoint/5061-the-madonna-murti-and-the-great-commission-oct-27

Of Statues and Murtis

http://www.catholicnews-tt.net/joomla/viewpoint/5060-of-statues-and-murtis-oct-27

No other gods

http://www.catholicnews-tt.net/joomla/viewpoint/5052-no-other-gods-oct-20

‘Mother’ not Kali

http://www.catholicnews-tt.net/joomla/viewpoint/5051-mother-not-kali

That Statue in Siparia

http://indigenousreview.blogspot.com/2013/10/that-statue-in-siparia.html

A self-righteous attack

http://www.catholicnews-tt.net/joomla/features/5019-a-self-righteous-attack-oct-13

A review of The Madonna Murti –part 1

http://www.catholicnews-tt.net/joomla/features/5014-a-review-of-the-madonna-murti-oct-6?start=1

A review of The Madonna Murti –part 2

http://www.catholicnews-tt.net/joomla/features/5014-a-review-of-the-madonna-murti-oct-6

‘La Divin’ in a new light

http://www.catholicnews-tt.net/joomla/frontpage/4990-la-divin-in-a-new-light-sep-29

Jesus Explosion: Revival Recap

http://jodorparish.blogspot.com/2013/09/jesus-explosion-revival-recap.html

What I watch

http://www.whatiwatch.net/reviews.php?rec=38443

Video Trailer

Who let the Dogs Out - from the Litter to the Lethal Injection

“Who Let the Dogs Out?” is a love story that traces the journey of homeless dogs from the litter to the lethal injection. This documentary about home and homeless dogs addresses the increasing problem of stray dogs in our nation, mirroring as it does so the treatment of a nation’s animals with the moral progress of a nation.
 
Through health-care and animal welfare organizations, this film travels through Trinidad’s rural and city landscapes comparing and contrasting homed and homeless dogs, blending graphic video footage with still photography to reveal an intimate portrayal of a destitute dog’s world of disease, decay and death.
 

Crick, Crack, Ek Nawa Kahani

In Crick-Crack, Ek Nawa Kahani legend collides with life. This story is laced with sorcery and intrigue as Mayaro 'soucouyants' Matilda and Loretta shed their skins and take off for England to steal a golden spoon from Queen Victoria's royal cutlery. But the lives of these two old hags are changed forever when their obeah fails and a disoriented Loretta returns to Mayaro just before daybreak to a 'sound cut arse' while Matilda comes back with the golden spoon that ignites the greed of Lionel, her "saga boy" lover.

Lionel soon forgets his grandfather's warning of "crave all, loss all" so he plots to get the diamond-studded golden spoon. He steals the spoon, outwits his lover and pours salt and pepper into the mortar where she has hidden her skin, but after doing this, Lionel finds himself in deeper trouble than even he could have imagined! Matilda puts the curse of eternal life on Lionel and compels him to become transformed every night into a creature of the underworld.

Determined to end the curse and return to his former self, Lionel seeks the help of other folk spirits but punishment awaits him. He is lured to a forest by a La Diablesse who exacts revenge for all his ploys against women. He later battles with Papa Bois for the mysterious Mama l'Eau (Mother of the Water). He even witnesses the birth of a Raakas, a deformed demonic newborn child from Indian folklore whose eyes, posture and movement are like that of a tadpole. In exchange for his freedom, Lionel offers white rum, cigarettes and a black rooster to Dee Baba, an Indian spirit that protects the land against dangerous forces but when Dee Baba fails to help him he finally enlists the help of Gang Gang Sara, the African witch of Golden Lane, Tobago. Will he survive unscathed to tell the tale?

Shouter and the "Control Freak" Empire

This thought provoking documentary produced jointly by emerging Trinidadian-Nigerian filmmaker Oyetayo Raymond Ojoade and Nigerian criminologist Professor Onwubiko Agozino questions power and social control through exposing the central conflict between Euro-centric and Afro-centric religions.
This film exposes the schisms inherent in the unhappy marriage between the secular and the sacred, first offering a socio-historical context as it re-visits the 1917 - 1951 Prohibition Ordinance on the “Shouter” Baptist religion of Trinidad & Tobago but it goes further by daring to challenge laws that legislates against a belief system, questioning the real causes and the effects of such legislation both on members of the faith and the general public.

Shouters and the 'Control Freak' Empire intertwines Christianity with African cultural practices, it juxtaposes Euro-centricism with Afro-centricism and it restores a voice to the voiceless in a film that is compellingly visual and profoundly enlightening.

This film won a best international documentary award from the Columbia Gorge International Film Festival in 2011.