SUNDAY 7TH SEPTEMBER, 2014 – UWI TODAY
13
FILM
Since 2006
, The UWI St Augustine has taught
Film Studies and Film Production. The Film
Production component teaches filmmaking
methods with state-of-the-art technologies in an
internationally competitive environment. One
of the largest film studios in the Caribbean is
housed at the Film Programme’s premises in St
Augustine.The FilmStudies component provides
the theoretical and aesthetic foundation for the
appreciation of world cinema.
DrPaddingtonwasjoinedbyDrJeanAntoine,
with her experience in film theory, and together
they designed the BA film programme at UWI.
In 2006, the programme was open to students.
Full time lecturers include Dr Christopher Meir,
Yao Ramesar and Dr Paddington. The Film
Programme operates as part of the Humanities
and Education Faculty of UWI. The full-time
lecturers function as coordinators, on two-year
stints each. Distinguished filmmakers and critics
are invited to provide guest lectures. Lecturers
include proficient media practitioners such as
Mark Lyndersay, Asha Lovelace, Dion Boucaud,
Cedric Smart and Francesca Hawkins.
Students explore classic cinema from
the Americas, Europe, Africa, Asia and the
Caribbean while learning how to write, direct
and produce their own work. They are also
exposed to the business side of the industry.
Elements of the Film Programme include:
Understanding film technique, style
and meaning
Masterpieces of film history from
around the world
Film in society, in relation to race,
gender and nationality
Creative and technical skills:
screenwriting, cinematography,
directing, sound production and
editing
Making documentary and narrative
films
Film business: production, marketing
and distribution
The UWI Film Programme invites
students to apply for the BA in Film.
For more information, see
In the beginning,
there was a lecturer’s office and one
secretarial space; and there were two lecturers managing the
film programme. In 2007, there was a change of location,
and the lecturers: Dr Jean Antoine-Dunne and Dr Bruce
Paddington, found their enterprise relocated to one of the
oldest buildings on the St. Augustine campus: the ARCON
Building at the School of Education. Here, with a makeshift
studio and editing suite, they plodded on, building the
programme until May 2013, when they found a new home
on Carmody Road.
Just over a year later, on July 18, 2014, supporters
gathered for the official launch of the Faculty of Humanities
and Education Film Programme Building in a ceremony
that was chaired by a student of some renown who had
been amember of the first cohort attending the programme,
Michael Cherrie. Another well-known actor, Errol Sitahal
delivered the feature address. It was a poignant event for at
least two of those present: Dr Brue Paddington, a founder,
and the Dean of the Faculty of Humanities, Professor Funso
Aiyejina. Both men are officially retiring after years of
service within the university.
As Pro Vice-Chancellor and Campus Principal,
Professor Clement Sankat acknowledged that service, he
reminded the audience that although it was not easy, he
felt gratified that he had been able to fulfil a promise he’d
In this documentary,
Bruce Paddington assembles an
impressive cast of Grenadians, and selects from miles
of footage to tell the story of the rise and fall of the
Grenada revolution. From 1979 to 1983, the People’s
Revolutionary Government engaged Grenadians in
a bold Caribbean experiment. It lifted Grenada and
Grenadians to the world stage. Perhaps it was too bold
for the world. In hindsight, it may have been fated to
fall in a manner swifter than its rise. To this day, the
brutality of its demise confounds the people we believe
ourselves to be, as Caribbeans.
made when he became Principal to find a home for the
programme.
He thanked staff for their dedication, and included
members from the Film Industry “for continuing to partner
with us, and in particular the Trinidad and Tobago Film
Company who continue to fund prizes annually for our
students, in addition to providing bursaries for students
in need.”
Professor Sankat said film was not the only area that
could contribute to our society. “I think also of the cultural
industry and its supporting sectors including the creative
industries. I think about language, festival arts, history and
heritage, and in the globalized world, so many more new
ones – communication in all its facets – print, radio, TV
and in journalism there are big opportunities which can
undoubtedly bring significant economic and socio-cultural
benefits to the people of our country and region,” he said.
And, warming to the subject, he made another
promise.
“As I did early in my career as Principal in 2008 to
work towards the building of this facility for film, I do
make a promise tonight to work towards a new Centre
for Journalism/Communication using current new digital
media – and to do so before I end my term as Principal.”
At the launch of the film programme building: St Augustine Campus Principal, Professor Clement Sankat and the
outgoing Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Education Prof Funso Aiyejina, prepare to cut the ribbon, while
Yao Ramesar, incoming Dean Dr Heather Cateau and former Dean Professor Ian Robertson, look on.
Launch of the Film Programme’s building
DEATH OF A REVOLUTION
Forward Ever: The Killing of a Revolution • Documentary (2013) • Bruce Paddington
THE FILM PROGRAMME
Do you know that
you can now get a
BA degree in Film?
For the full review by Pat Ganase, please visit our
website at
