New Caribbean gets ready for 'Ring Di Alarm'

Making an impact on the film industry on a global level is the aim of six directors on a tiny island in the Caribbean.

New Caribbean Cinema (NCC), a group founded by Storm Saulter and Michelle Serieux, represents a new generation of film-makers who wish to make that impact on the world's cinema.

Saulter told The Gleaner his need to form NCC came from a yearning to sharpen film-making skills.

Fresh off his highly successful film Better Mus' Come, Saulter, along with Serieux, have teamed up with four other Caribbean directors, namely Joel Burke, Nile Saulter, Kyle Chin, and Michael 'Ras Tingle' Tingling, to launch their portmanteau film Ring Di Alarm.

Ring Di Alarm comprises seven short stories by the six directors.

The six directors are launching Ring Di Alarm at the British Film Institute (BFI) on September 2, right on the heels of Jamaica's domination in the sprints at the 30th Games of the Olympiad.

Special screening

The launch will be part of a weekend of celebrations under the theme 'Jamaica, We Love You'. The weekend also includes a special screening of the film Better Mus' Come.

According to Saulter, the group is enthusiastic about launching the film at BFI.

"We are enthused and very excited. This was about getting exposure for all these film-makers, including ourselves and getting our work on a platform. It's nice to see hard work paying off," Storm Saulter told The Gleaner.

After the BFI launch, the team's next stop will be the Southern Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, before it is finally shown at home.

Saulter also said there would be opportunities for upcoming film-makers to showcase their talent.

"We are trying to create a model that we can continue. Even if the core group stays as advisors and consultants, the goal is always to find new talent. We are working on creating a model where the funding is present and where we can be an avenue for discovering new talents."