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.