Agent 007 will return to Jamaica for Bond thriller
Caribbean Life, A BQ pril 12–18, 2019 11
It is no secret that author
Ian Fleming loved the island of
Jamaica.
Of all the places in the world
he could have lived, he chose to
live and work on that particular
Caribbean destination.
As a naval officer he travelled
the globe and was commissioned
by the Sunday Times to explore
14 of the world’s most exotic
cities.
However, in 1941 when he was
assigned by the British Navy for a
mission dubbed Operation Goldeneye
to Oracabessa in Jamaica,
Fleming probably decided on his
own paradise.
He bought a plot of land
there.
Built a home and spent every
winter there until his death in
1964.
From his idyllic workplace he
penned 14 novels the world revels.
Five of them were filmed on
the island.
And his first film “Dr. No” was
released the same year Jamaica
attained independence from his
birth country of England.
That was 1962.
Location shots were filmed
across the island. Local thespians
were prominently featured.
And Sean Connery delivered
classy portrayals in homage to
both the divorced and divorcee
nations.
As a matter of fact, since that
time the tiny paradise has been
prominently featured as the location
for “To Live & Let Die,”
another Bond thriller chosen by
Pinewood Studios the caretakers
of the franchise.
With the 25th installment
due in 2020, the government
of Jamaica announced plans to
send representatives to London
to talk with Barbara Broccoli and
Michael G. Wilson decision makers
at the renowned film studios.
Reportedly, Edmund Bartlett,
minister of tourism and Olivia
Grange, minister of culture,
entertainment and other portfolios
will stump to add Jamaica
on the list of locales spy, agent
007 will have to travel in order to
thwart an enemy of the British
Empire as well as the world.
Filming on the island will
have “enormous eternal impact”
on the industry, Bartlett said.
Still untitled, the adventure,
thriller has been touted to be the
next Bond blockbuster. In a tradition
boasting technologically
advanced gadgets, sexy scenes,
beautiful women and landscapes,
lavish lifestyle, treacherous
villains and loyalty to HRH
Queen Elizabeth II the anticipated
release has been buzzed
about with reports that Jamaica
is a shoo-in.
JAMAICA’S REGGAE
SUMFEST LAUNCHES
2019 IN BROOKLYN
Buju Banton is slated to perform
at this year’s Reggae Sumfest
concert series in Montego
Bay. That was the first big news
announced by Downsound, the
presenters of the annual, marathon
music fest in Jamaica. Now
another teaser recently stated
that Caribbean Airlines will partner
with Sumfest to display a
logo on their aircraft in promotion
Saving a life is easy.
Pay attention.
Respect work zones.
of the July summer music
festival.
With 20 destinations on their
route, the skies will carry the
banner calendar event.
The rest of the lineup and
other aspects of the fun-filled
annual concert attraction will
be made public to New Yorkers
during the Big Apple launch in
Brooklyn on April 17.
CHINESE JAMAICAN
“BETTER WITH AGE”
Pam Lee, a tireless artist whose
focus on acrylics has been consistent
and dedicated was tapped for a
month-long art exhibition at the
municipal building in the center
of the city. Lee, a former student of
Wolmer’s High School, an all-girls
academic institution in Kingston,
Jamaica and resident of China
Town was among 46 Manhattan
artists whose display in the second
annual senior art show is being
hailed by Gale A. Brewer, Manhattan
Borough president.
In an exhibition titled “Better
With Age” that opened April 5 at
1 Centre St., Lee stood tall and
proud next to her colorful creation
explaining how she emerged of the
chosen few.
“I actually submitted three
pieces,” Lee explained, “the one I
thought would be accepted didn’t
make it but this acrylic did.”
Her daughter Robyn was elated
to see her mother’s name among
those selected for display along the
halls of the Maggi Peyton Gallery.
“I am proud of her. She didn’t
even think she would qualify it
is I who encouraged her to apply
and actually submitted the application,”
Robyn explained.
The turnaround was so fast,
soon after the submission Robyn
had to help expedite the readiness
of the print and the name of a
framer who could quickly present
the painting.
At the reception Robyn added
that “In no time at all they told her
to present the framed painting for
mounting.”
The supportive offspring flew
from the west coast where she
resides with her husband Jose to
show solidarity with her father
Tom and friends who’ve always
endorsed the aspirations of the
freelance artist.
The purpose of the exhibition
is to showcase the work of over
60-year-olds from a diverse New
York City community.
Lee’s painting — on the 19th
floor of the building — will be on
display until April 30.
Catch You On The Inside!
Inside Life
By Vinette K. Pryce