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The script for my feature film, Dudus (working title). I'm pretty sure this title will change as the script develops because the film is not about Dudus at all.
This is the story of a young Jamaican couple, Michelle and Gong, struggling to make their relationship work amidst the sensational extradition battle for Jamaica's best known drug don, Dudus. Michelle is a Jamaican-American and Gong is a Jamaican Rastafarian. The two met when Gong (a local police commissioner) attended the University of Miami for a conference on fighting crime arranged by the JDF and US Homeland Security. They fall in love and Michelle moves to Jamaica. She finds work as a General Manager at a boutique hotel in Negril where she and Gong lives with her (maybe his) mother and their baby daughter. They're engaged to be married, but so far no wedding date has been set.
They're faced with both internal and external conflict that strain their relationship: money problems, Gong's inertia, Gong's relationship with his 9 year old son (and the boy's Ghetto fab mother Bey'utey), a millionaire American hotel developer who tries to seduce Michelle and finally the ensuing war that erupted when Dudus is arrested.
The film is driven by Gong & Michelle's love story, but is precipitated by the extradition battle for the drug lord and the consequences that follow.
I attempt to explore several themes in this film, the main ones being love, betrayal, lack of opportunity and corruption. A police force hamstrung by incompetence and a lack of vital crime fighting resources will also be revealed.
I've figured out the story arc and most of the scenes. Now its time to get it out of my head and onto paper! The most difficult part! Sigh ...
This sounds intriguing! Hurry up and get it out your head and on paper and one film! I'm ready to watch! :-)
ReplyDeleteHey April, thx for dropping by. I'm on deadline, so something's gotta give sooner or later. I wrote a very rough draft over Christmas, but the scenes were all crap so I tossed it. I'm in a better place creatively, and have a better feel for the script from start to finish now. This film is gonna get made by hook or by crook! :)
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love the sound of this! I agree with April and I would love to support this project if you need help promoting it down the line. I'm kind of a freak about Jamaican history and crime stories. Believe me when the Dudus stuff was actually happening all I did for weeks was search out documentaries online to learn everything I could about the facts surrounding the Shower Posse and Jamaican gangsterism.
ReplyDeleteI am really looking forward to the love story that happens in between all the shit.
Thx a lot Kristi! You're golden! Going into production is still a long way off, but one thing I do know is that one way or the other its going to happen. I already know who I want to play in it. I know all the locations where scenes will be shot. I know the team of people I want to work with so the only thing that's left is to try and create the best script possible, and of course, get funding.
ReplyDeleteThe Norwegian Film Council has opened up a door for minority film makers to gain financial support in the form of EURO 500 000, so I fully intend to take advantage of this opportunity. I'm also excited about the potential of this film. If I can get (most of) the cast and crew that I want it will be a film unlike any we've ever seen come out Jamaica.
Whatever God you believe in, please pray for us that we'll get this done! :)