Review: ‘Gold Bermudians’ Film Presentation
[Written by Dale Butler]
‘Gold Bermudians’ is a new project launched by the Department of Culture in 2023 and, on March 25th, five new films were presented to a full house that left everyone very satisfied but wanting to know why there was such a strict time limit on such important topics. With a new opening song by singer Joy T. Barnum on the screen, the evening was off to a great start with remarks from Owen Darrell, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport.
I had the good fortune of being the Minister of Culture at one point in my political career and I can only commend the staff, led by Catherine May, Folklife Officer, for the excellent job they did that merited a pink carpet release for the talented filmmakers we have. Dr. Kim Dismont Robinson, Director, continues to do an excellent job with a variety of cultural products. Well done.
The films presented were:
- Earl Cameron – actor – by Antoine Hunt
- The Talbot Brothers- entertainers – by Marq Rodriguez
- Dr. Edward Harris – archeologist – by Milton Raposo
- Debbie Jones – athlete – by Kaz Godfrey
- Dr. Pauulu Kamarakafego – political activist/environmental engineer – by 7 South Productions
Antoine Hunt, photographer and 2022 Charman Prize winner, gave us an insight into Earlston Jewitt Cameron’s outstanding career [August 8, 1917 – July 3, 2020] as an actor, who had joined the British Merchant Navy in the 1930s and established himself in the UK right after World War II doing menial jobs.
Earl caught the acting bug after seeing the musical comedy Chu Chin Chow. He was the UK counterpart of Sydney Pointier and acted in a number of Bermuda plays and many movies overseas. Using excerpts from his movies, Mr. Hunt gave us an insight into his career with Charles Webb narrating many highlights of the actor’s career. Well done, Mr. Hunt.
The Talbot Brothers by Marquedelle Phillip Rodriguez came after his triumph in 2023 when he released the story about Clarence Hill [Boxer], Bermuda first Olympic Medalist. Talbot family members Clem Talbot [Ross Blackie Talbot] [Miles Manders [Cromwell], David Dodwell [Reefs Hotelier]; Gary Phillips [Tourism Director] and yours truly, Dale Butler [Professor of Bermuda Music] laid a solid foundation of their legacy as musical ambassadors for Bermuda overseas and popular performers in all of our hotels and at special events.
Clem Talbot took the lead years ago to have an annual Ross Blackie Talbot golf tournament that raised over $4 million for charities and the content of the documentary became even more powerful and meaningful. I would strongly recommend the film and the book produced by Clem highlighting their tremendous legacy. Marq, as he is widely known, is the only Bermudian, to date, who has been sponsored by the Bermuda government to attend Whistling Woods International [India] 2015-2018 [Bachelor of Science in Cinematography]. Cameraman, director, site locator, sound, editor, etc; he was outstanding and has a bright future.
The multi-talented Milton Raposo [music/film] gave an insightful, but not boring, insight into the life of Dr. Edward Harris , – archeologist- who has received a number of awards, brought archeology to Bermuda and his short term at the Maritime Museum was extended to 37 years enabling him to publish many significant books and develop The Harris Matrix [1973, the subject of his doctoral thesis at University College London]. Dr. Harris is an amazing man and Milton did an excellent job in making this very clear.
Kaz Godfrey jumped into the deep blue waters of Ducking Stool when he took on the subject of Olympian [1976] Debbie Hunter Jones, a Tennessee State University graduate who was the first recipient of the Carifta Games’ Austin Sealy Award for Outstanding Athlete of the Games in 1977. Kaz creatively used young actors to play Debbie on the Bermuda track in her early and middle years.
Debbie is well known, charismatic and enthusiastic and much loved, a member of the Tiger Bells, spoke eloquently about the importance of training, her success and how she has been inducted into the Bermuda Sports Hall of Fame, the National Civil Rights Hall of Fame, Tennessee, and received the Queen’s Jubilee Award to name but a few awards. It was an enlightening film that will become one of his signature films as he continues to develop his passion. Best wishes. You are off to a great start.
To crystalize the evening, three young filmmakers from the 7 Productions team allowed author and historian Ajala Omodele and former Ombudswoman Arlene Brock to give us an insight into National Hero/world traveler Dr. Pauulu Kamarakafego. Ajala and Arlene were focused and eloquent. Ajala as the biographer was outstanding in sharing an introduction into the life story of an unbelievable Bermudian who touched so many corners of the world from Cuba to Africa and Vanuatu to name but a few.
Arlene did great summaries and perspectives. The two were an excellent team, very much appreciated, given the fact that many of his contemporaries have also passed. Congrats to 7 Productions for the forceful punch they presented that highlighted Dr. Pauulu, who was an incredible Bermudian who made his mark locally and internationally.
The panel discussion led NSCAD University film graduate Rashun Robinson was interesting and insightful. Media consultant, cultural creator and photographer, Dr. Dana Zhyon Selassie, just back from representing Bermuda at the prestigious International Women’s Leadership Conference in Dubai, joined the panel and explained why her film on Mary Prince would be released in August. A bonus added was an animated film by rising star Kyle Simmons about the life of Bermudian Michael K. Frith who was a co-creator of Fraggle Rock. All auditorium photos by Antoine Hunt – Department of Communications.
At the end of the evening, a private reception was held in the foyer by friends who honoured Marq Rodriguez with a gift and a card designed by Miles Manders. Photo by yours truly.
The future looks bright for Bermuda Gold and we can only look forward to seeing the talent of our filmmakers being displayed, once again meriting a pink carpet reception.
- Dale Butler is the Professor of Bermuda Music. He produced the first documentary on Bermuda’s Homeless, Out Among the Ins, and has captured musicians and others which he will be featuring in June during the premier of the first Heartbeat Film Festival, to be held at the award winning Rosalie Gardens.
His current research project is on bandleader Ernie Leader. He can be reached at daledbutler@gmail.com or 595-9841.
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