“OSEYI and The Masqueraders” premieres in Dominica

Scene from Oseyi and the Masqueraders
Kaz Kweyol Productions, in association with the Caribbean Film Academy and Time Warner, presents the Dominica Premiere of Oseyi and The Masqueraders – a film which celebrates one of the important masking traditions found in most African cultures and which, like Sensay, has survived in Dominica only.

The film, by Dominica filmmaker Alwin Bully, made its World Premiere at the 13th annual Trinidad and Tobago Film Festival (TTFF) in September 2018.  The Short Film entitled “Oseyi and the Masqueraders” received the Official Selection stamp of approval and was a contender for the Festival’s Peoples’ Choice Award.  It was one of the hundred and five films of varying lengths, from 26 countries, that were screened at various venues in Trinidad and Tobago.

Work on “OSEYI” started three years ago when the script was selected for production by the New York based Caribbean Film Academy (CaFA) which attracted funding from TIMEWARNER of the US.  The rest of the finances were raised by CaFA and locally by Kaz Kweyol Productions.

The film is a coming-of-age story set against the backdrop of the Colihaut Bann Mové carnival tradition.  It was filmed entirely in the village of Colihaut with a cast of local actors led by 11-year old Pacquette Langlais, in the title role.  Internationally acclaimed Jamaican actress, Leonie Forbes, makes a special guest appearance.

Alwin Bully

“Movie makers are the new story tellers of the modern world”, said Writer/Director Dr. Alwin Bully.  “They celebrate our history and culture in new and exciting ways.”  He also said that through film and television, audiences the world over learn of each other’s landscapes, culture and lifestyles, thus fueling the ever-expanding tourism industry.  He hopes that the film will act as an incentive to other Dominican filmmakers to begin making narrative and fiction films as well as documentaries that can be screened in the many film festivals that exist worldwide.

Shot on location in Colihaut “Oseyi and the Masqueraders” will have its first screening in Colihaut on Friday January 18th at 6pm on the Colihaut Primary School Grounds, with the Roseau Premiere at the Alliance Francaise de la Dominique on Sunday January 20, 2019 at 6pm and 8pm.

Apart from Ms. Leonie Forbes, the film features Pacquette Langlais, Kurell Vidal, Garth John, Shernilla John-Paul, Arthur Knight, and Francis Severin, all from Colihaut.

For further information please call Alwin Bully at 277-3971 or Anita Bully at 276-758

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9 Comments

  1. Nrt
    January 18, 2019

    Good idea, how about a short trailer Alwin?

  2. Child of Itassi
    January 15, 2019

    Congratulations Alwin!!

  3. Joy
    January 15, 2019

    Congratulations Dr Bully!

  4. J
    January 14, 2019

    Wonderful! Can’t wait to view it.

  5. January 14, 2019

    Congratulations Alwin. I still hold hope that one day we will have a dedication one-year foundation course in the Visual Arts. We have the potential talent but no means for school leavers to pursue their interest in the arts.

    • Joseph John
      January 14, 2019

      Great idea. We should have a school in performing arts, visual arts and all aspect of the entertainment industry . I have seen the work of Bully from night box, the work of Bruno two of his broadways , Dice send me and those are the Days. TO NAME A FEW. I see talent that needs to go professional and make millions of dollars. If one has to wait on public administrative initiatives (GOVERNMENT bodies) Don’t hold your breath. An independent foundation as sponsor with private and public donation seems more like it. But……
      There is a young man METALIC (or something like that I AM NOT SURE OF HIS NAME), but he made some great ariel photos of Dominica before and after Maria .WHO COULD BE INVOLVED
      The foundation or company could go into promotions, advertisement ,presentation and consultants to improve its income potential. WE HAVE THE TALENT .

      • January 15, 2019

        You are quite right. Studies have shown that the arts in general make can a significant contribution to the economy. In the UK, the cultural sector accounts for 2% of the total labour force. It employs more people than retail banking, building societies and motor manufacturing.

        You are also correct in suggesting that an independent foundation may be the best way forward. Six years ago I tried to introduce a one-year foundation course in the Visual Arts through the Cultural Division but to no avail.

        Art hardly figures in our secondary school curriculum and is therefore unknown. Through the Min. of Education I have offered free introductory workshops but to no response. This year only three students are taking CXC in Visual Art and in previous years results have been appallingly low. The State College offers nothing at all in Visual Art.

        To get around this dilemma, I keep on open studio door for those interested in pursuing art and give ad hoc help on a one to one basis.

      • Joseph John
        January 15, 2019

        Yes we can also look at steel pan and coral music.
        Mr Burnett, do not give up. Take an other approach, a pioneer approach. Use motivation to create the demand, and remember that making money is a great motivator.
        Then we Dominicans do not see entertainment as a means to make money as a means of our livelyhood. We see it as a means of enjoyment , of having fun. But I do not mind making money while having fun. We do not have full time entertainers …….YET.

      • Child of Itassi
        January 15, 2019

        The vlogger of whom you speak is “Mystelics”

        His vlogs can be viewed at:
        https://www.youtube.com/user/MystProductionz

        He has also been co-host of BRBP-TV (Be Real, Be Positive TV)

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