Nu-Urban Image International Pictures (aka Kush Films), in association with Iyanola Pictures, proudly presents the UK theatrical Release of the award-winning Caribbean film Shantaye’s World. This is a timely production; the UK celebrates the 75th Anniversary of the mass arrival of people from the Caribbean to Great Britain. These Commonwealth migrants had long heard tales that Great Britain’s streets were paved with gold.
Many had fought for Great Britain in World War II. After the war, the new British Nationality Act of 1948 cemented the settlement rights of everyone born in a British colony. Nearly half a million people took up the offer of nationality between 1948 and 1970. These migrants answered a call from the British Government to fill job vacancies, help rebuild Britain, and make new lives for themselves. Many arrived on the HMT Windrush ship and are now widely recognized and celebrated as the Windrush Generation.
Shantaye’s World is a sweeping new female-led production filmed and produced in St Lucia by native director Mathurine Emmanuel and her team at Iyanola Pictures and Biz Media. The fictional film beautifully depicts what life was like for a young girl growing up in 1940’s St Lucia, along with the racial divide between disadvantaged locals and affluent foreign landowners, the consequences of falling for forbidden love and then being forced to leave St Lucia for Great Britain with great hope to find work and begin a new life; only for her upon arrival to find a totally different reality and welcome in the so-called Motherland.
Festival critics love the original story and cinematography featured in this Iyanola Pictures collaboration with All-Biz Media (production company). The film includes many popular St Lucian personalities such as “Coaks” from “Che Campeche,” “Ma Toe” from “Ribbons of Blue,” Dame Pearlette Louisy (the former Governor General of St. Lucia), Kennedy “Boots” Samuel, and Lovely St. Aimee.
“Shantaye’s World” recently received the award for “Best Feature” in its category at the International New York Film Festival and was also selected for the Trinidad and Tobago Film Festival.
The film and release campaign has the support of the UK St Lucian community, including the St Lucian High Commission based in London, who are all committed to driving support for the release.
The release of this film also coincides with UK Black History Month (October) when black culture is celebrated and the UK black community proactively and proudly makes great efforts to support events; aligning that with the yearlong 75th Anniversary Windrush celebrations; we therefore expect a great turnout at participating cinemas.
The film will be released with its launch screening, Q&A, and party, on Saturday 14th of October at the Genesis Cinema, 93-95 Mile End Road, London, E1 4UJ, followed by additional screenings &Q&As with director Mathurine Emmanuel and (TBC) star Antonio Charles on:
Sun 15th Oct: Rio Cinema (Dalston, Lon, E8 2PB)
Tues 24th Oct: Peckhamplex (Peckham, Lon, SE15)
28 / 29th Oct: Watermans Cinema (Brentford, TW8 0DS)
Wed 1st Nov: Catford Mews (Catford, London, SE6 4JU)
Wed 15th Nov: The Lexi Cinema (Kensal Green, Lon, NW10 3JU)
More cinemas/dates are being added.
Further information can be found at the following link: https://bit.ly/3LFMy1O
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