New Jamaican film to make debut at Toronto’s Black and Diversity Film Festival

After the riveting success of the Bob Marley biopic, the local film industry is already seeking the next viable project that will highlight the island’s unique cultural heritage. That project may well be the film Behind Closed Doors, the brainchild of Orville Matherson, producer and owner of Yaad Boiiz Film Productions.

The indie film is slated for release this year

Behind Closed Doors is the story of Amani, a young woman from the countryside of Jamaica who is given the unlikely opportunity to move to Kingston to attend law school after meeting a handsome, prominent businessman, who offers her assistance, seemingly with no strings attached. This bit of serendipity sets in motion a series of events that will wreck tight friendships, spark wanton lust, and trigger shocking betrayals, as Amani, played by Rachel Seaton, soon learns nothing in life is free, and not everything that glitters is gold.

The film features actors Shevrado Oliver who plays ‘Jason’, Pepita Little as ‘Shanika’, and Darron Donaldson as ‘Dr. Omar’, with a variety of local Jamaican actors including Jamaican dancehall sensation, Tommy Lee Sparta. There is also a cameo by dancehall artiste Jahvillani.

Matherson announced that the trailer will be released at the end of this month. He believes that the film will be a resounding success at the box office.

“This is a Jamaican story. This project was written, directed, produced by Jamaicans and filmed entirely on our island. Authenticity was key for us, showing Jamaica as it is, in a way that Jamaican people would recognise ... not a Hollywood version,” Matherson said.

“We have some of our youngest and most talented actors showcasing their talents that are comparable to the best on a global scale. People are yearning for Jamaican content, especially after the success of the Marley film, so this is a natural progression for those fans,” he said.

Matherson pointed to the use of original Jamaican songs as part of the soundtrack to assist in the narration of the story as a major plus.

“My vision for Behind Closed Doors as a Jamaican film is to incorporate our music, both old and new, seamlessly in telling this story authentically like any other big-budget films, and, if I’m lucky, the movie soundtrack will be as successful as the film or even surpass it,” he said.

The film has already won many awards at indie film festivals globally, and has been selected to participate in the International Black and Diversity Film Festival in Toronto, Canada at the end of May, as well as the Toronto International Nollywood Film Festival this September.

“We are honoured by these recognitions. Simultaneously, we plan on having private screenings all over the island and in other countries leading up to the official release of the film,” Matherson said.

entertainment@gleanerjm.com