Jesus Film goes patois
A patois version of Jesus Film was aired on local television on Good Friday.
However, its premiere was held at the Sir Kenneth Standard Medical Building at University of the West Indies, Mona campus, St Andrew, on Saturday, April 8, under the patronage of Sir Patrick Allen, Governor General.
Sir Patrick’s opening remarks in patois caught the full attention of the audience. He confessed that making a presentation in patois, a language he loves, is unusual for him, but felt it was appropriate for the occasion.
In his presentation, the GG said he was asked by Robert Levy –— board member of the King’s House Foundation — to be the movie’s patron.
“A ‘im come ask mi to be patron fi di ‘Jesas Flim Project’. Afta mi say yes, ‘im carry Missa Cris McQuirk an’ ‘im fren dem come a King’s House cum visit an’ mek sure dat me agree fi true. An because mi like di patois an’ de project dem a do, me jus say yes rite away,” said Sir Patrick.
“Ladies and gentlemen, this is the real deal and the language in which the people will view the film and feel so comfortable, understanding the nuances, and the Word being made plain to them. This Jesus Film premiering in Jamaican Creole is proof of the viability, marketability and universal appreciation of patois,” he continued.
The event was attended by a large contingent of US donors and delegation from the Jesus Film Project.
The voice of Jesus, in patois, is that of newcomer Dominic Richards, while the film features other voices, including Howard Moo-Young and David Tulloch.
The voice-overs were recorded at the Campus Crusade for Christ office studio on Nicks Avenue in Kingston, while the script was derived from
Di Jamiekan Nyuu Testiment produced by the Bible Society of the West Indies. Bertram Gayle was in charge of translation, while dialogue directors were Kevin Powell and David Tulloch. Dirk Richards, national director for Campus Crusade, was executive producer of the localised film.
Full local sponsorship of the production of Jesus Film was undertaken by the Weston family, owners of Frenchman’s Cove.
The Weston family asked that the first public showing of the movie be in Moore Town, Portland, which took place on Tuesday, April 11.
