New Jamaican movie to be released

Curtis Campbell, Gleaner Writer

Local video director Storm Saulter is getting ready to release the much-anticipated movie, Better Mus Come. The movie is the first for Saulter, who has done other projects of less magnitude, including music videos and small unreleased films in the past.

Better Mus Come, set in the suburbs of Jamaica, dabbles in the politics of the island and the harsh realities of the 1970s. The lead actor in the movie is Sheldon Shepherd, of popular dub poetry group No-maddz. With a cast of stars, Shepherd acts out a tale of love, violence, hope and optimism and takes us 30 years back in time, unveiling aspects of Jamaican history that rarely make it into household education.

The movie also features internationally acclaimed actor Guenveur Smith, who played roles in American Gangster and Malcom X, among other Spike Lee films.

Smith takes on the role of the Jamaican prime minister in the 1970s, while Karl Williams plays the leader of Opposition.

According to Saulter, who spoke of his fascination with historic events, the movie came at the right time. The 'right time' being while an incursion into Tivoli Gardens by security forces is still fresh in the minds of Jamaicans.

"I did not have any idea things would turn out this way, because the script was started three years ago. Now it ties in perfectly with the current situation the country is experiencing," Saulter told The Sunday Gleaner.

According to Saulter, the film is the perfect example of life imitating art, and art imitating life.

Break down barriers

Saulter says that he hopes that his film will break down barriers for the Jamaican film industry, which he described as unproductive.

Having written, directed and edited the script himself, Saulter believes that local film directors should be more proactive: "They need to stop complain about money and get some work done, there are avenues to get good information online, on ways to make an effective film at affordable costs," he said.

"And productivity needs to go up; other poor countries are doing it, so we can do it, too," said Saulter.

The film-maker also expressed an interest in putting the movie into the international market after covering ground in Jamaica.

Saulter said that the film was shot in high definition and will be projected digitally.

"We want Jamaicans to appreciate watching the film in the cinema same as how we watch international films," said Saulter.

Shepherd, who plays the protagonist in the movie, has played roles in many Jamaican films. According to the young actor, Better Mus Come was the best production he had seen.