CITING what they believe to be inadequate support for local films and film-makers, a group of industry players have produced a video titled Beyond The Lens — Lost Opportunities.

According to writer/director Kurt Wright, they were inspired to produce the more than six minute-long film after hearing about the plight of producers of Home Again, a low-budget movie snubbed by Jamaican film authorities. “It’s the voice of an increasingly frustrated Jamaican film-making community who, despite an almost complete lack of support from the Government, continue to create day after day,” said Wright. Beyond The Lens — Lost Opportunities was released three weeks ago. “Whether the Government pays attention

to it or not, we still said what we had to say. Hopefully, it can spark some sort of communication,” Wright said.

The video was filmed over four days in Kingston. It starts with ‘Dear Jamaican Government’ and hears members of the film community asking questions and commenting on the stagnant state of their industry.

In its ‘What happen to us, we used to be so close’ segment, there is a list of films that were made or had scenes shot in Jamaica.

They include Club Paradise, The Mighty Quinn, Treasure Island, Cocktails, Dr No, Lord of The Flies, and Cool Runnings.

Producers of Beyond the Lens also blamed the hit 1998 movie How Stella Got Her Groove Back for denying Jamaican actors roles.

They described the flick, which starred Angella Bassett as “a serious Jamaican accident”.

It co-starred African-American Taye Diggs as Bassett’s young Jamaican lover.

“Of course they don’t think a Jamaican is good enough to play a Jamaican, but that’s because you (meaning Government) haven’t given us an opportunity to show dem what we are capable of.”

The video also points out that Jamaican actors are capable of playing substantive roles and not just the stereotypical ghetto don.

Featured in the video are actors Lisa Williams, David Crossgill, Kadeem Wilson, Grace McGhie, Munair Zacca, Ruth Hoshing, Marguerite Newland, Kyle Chin, Kevoy Burton, Camille Davis, Fabian Thomas and directors Chris Browne and Franklyn St Juste.

The Jamaican Government was criticised by the principals of Home Again for ignoring them when they approached the state for possible funding.

Jamaican-born, Canadianreared writer/producer Jennifer Holness said the film was largely funded by the film commission in Trinidad and Tobago, where it was filmed and premiered in March.