The Bahamas' premier scre-ening of VOICES, a new film by Bahamian filmmaker Jeffrey Poitier documenting the untold stories of Bahamian and African-Americans who originally settled and built Coconut Grove, Florida, takes place on Saturday, April 25, at the Ross University Study Hall at Seahorse Plaza east.
The event is being hosted by The Bahamas Weekly, along with the Ministry of Tourism, Ross University, and Pelican Bay Hotel.
Born in Nassau into a long-established family, which spans more than 10 generations in the Islands, Jeffrey's father, Carl, was one of the 10 children of Reginald and Evelyn Poitier, including internationally acclaimed actor Sidney Poitier.
The elder generation of Poitier children were raised on Cat Island and later moved to Nassau, where Jeffrey was also raised.
VOICES was born in 2004 when Jeffrey moved back to Miami and discovered that his own neighbourhood was originally built by people from his homeland. Further research into anecdotes told by Coconut Grove natives uncovered a personal connection to its history.
This documentary is a comprehensive story of pursuit of the American Dream by a group of people determined to make a good life for themselves and their children, and how the dream is threatened by the very culture and country that allowed it to be.
For the VOICES project, Jeffrey enlisted Coconut Grove natives who are de-scended from the originals. Filming spanned more than four years and includes interviews with over 200 people and enough rich material for a multi-part series.
"Working on this project has been the dream of my lifetime, and to be asked to screen a portion of it for my people at home in Freeport is a great honour," Jeffrey said when asked about his upcoming screening. "I will never forget all that growing up in The Bahamas has provided me and I welcome this chance to show you all what I have done with those opportunities."
VOICES had its world premiere at the AMC Theater in the beautiful CocoWalk at Coconut Grove in October 25, 2008. This will be the first screening of the film in The Bahamas.
Bahamas Film Commis-sioner Craig Woods will be in attendance and will introduce the film.
"The Bahamas Film and Television Commission, in collaboration with the Grand Bahama Film Office, is extremely pleased to play a role in bringing the production of 'Voices' to be screened on Grand Bahama Island," Woods said. "The film portrays the ambitious struggles of early Bahamian settlers in South Florida who made a tremendous impact in the social development of Miami and the Coconut Grove Communities. Their efforts remind us today of the unique qualities they brought to the construction of homes in those communities which remain lasting pillars from the era they came from. Writer/producer Jeffrey Poitier does an outstanding job in capturing the essence of their challenges and successes, providing all with a wonderful blueprint to follow for years to come."
Part proceeds will benefit the Grand Bahama Heritage Foundation. "This is an important story to tell, and it reinforces the role that history and art can play in connecting Bahamians to their heritage," a foundation spokesperson said. "We wish to thank Jeffrey Poitier, the screening organizer and sponsors for the donation of the premier's proceeds to the Grand Bahama Heritage Foundation. These funds will support the Freetown Historical Project, currently in production, which is using the vehicle of art to capture the oral histories of that settlement. "
Coordinators also thanked Ross University "for helping make this event possible."
The program will begin promptly at 7:00 p.m. and following the screening a question and answer session will take place with the filmmaker, followed by a short 'Meet the Filmmaker' reception sponsored by Italian Specialty Wines, Agave, Le Med, Sabor, The Ferry House, and Bahamian Brewery and Beverage Company
Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for children and are available at Italian Specialty Imports, Elite Loft, Island Java, La Belle, and Coldwell Banker James Sarles Realty.
