Filmmaker Shivraj complains of short shrift from government, culture ministry
In the wake of the recent lamentation by chutney/soca singer Terry Gajraj, filmmaker and actor Mahadeo Shivraj has also complained about being shunned by the authorities here.
In a letter in yesterday’s Stabroek News, Shivraj noted that Gajraj had spent more than 30 years promoting the country all over the world and that he could empathise with him as he had had similar experiences.
Noting that he had produced and directed seven films set in Guyana, Shivraj said that he had a mighty runaround to garner even minimum support and recognition. He said that the film `Brown Sugar Too Bitter for Me’ though pirated and sold on DVDs still garnered over half a million views on YouTube with appreciation and acceptance by audiences from countries all over the globe and such was the case with the movies `Forgotten Promise’, `Till I find a Place’ and `A Jasmine for a Gardener’.
He cited his experience with the film `Protection Game’ which was made and dedicated to Guyana’s 50th Independence Anniversary in 2015.
“I proposed the idea to three APNU + AFC ministers when I met with them and who promised to showcase the movie as a proud Guyanese product. On completion I reached out through emails, through letters and even had the emails printed and taken to them. Not a single reply. That is after those Ministers of the then APNU + AFC government gave me the assurance that the film would be shown for the 50th anniversary celebrations. I had hit the proverbial Guyanese brick wall. With no backing from the authorities a venue could not be found to accommodate the showing of the film. To this day, this film that was dedicated for that important occasion in Guyana’s History has not been shown in Guyana”, Shivraj lamented.
He said that his latest movie `Brown Sugar Too Bitter for Me – The Oil Dream’ was filmed entirely in Guyana, with an allGuyanese cast and edited just before the elections of 2020, but because of the Covid pandemic it was only shown in Guyana in February 19-28 this year, at MovieTowne. He noted that a few weeks before this film was shown, a UK-based Guyanese actress, Letitia Wright – who he did not name - was heralded by various departments of the government and the University of Guyana. Although the actress had done nothing in her movie to promote the culture or the country of Guyana, he said that the fanfare that she received gave him hope that at least the authorities were slowly waking up from their long slumber to acknowledge movies were also part of the cultural landscape but he said he was later to find out that his supposition was incorrect.
“For the premiere of the movie at MovieTowne on Feb. 19, I sent out 40 invitations which included the President, the Prime Minister, and Vice President, all the Ministers of the Government as well as the British High Commissioner and American Ambassador. I bought a separate phone so that I can have a phone number in that letter for RSVP. Lo and behold, except for the British High Commissioner, the American Ambassador, the Prime Minister and three Ministers of the Government no-one else felt it necessary to respond. And of course on the premiere, not a single minister showed up. The British High Commissioner, the American Ambassador and the Minister of Foreign Affairs though, did send representatives. It was a very disappointing day as much was spent in the way of providing a red carpet affair with the anticipation of the attendance of the people who should be pushing such a project to further help with culture”, Shivraj said.
He added that the people who attended this event were entertained and impressed with Guyanese talent but again sadly, not the people who could have made a difference. He also noted that this was during the Mashramani period when local culture is showcased.
Shivraj said that he met with President Irfaan Ali on February 22nd and he was eager to help and promised help directly and also through the Minister of Culture, Charles Ramson and that he (Shivraj) would hear in a week.
“To this day, a month and a half later and even after follow up emails to him, I am still to receive a reply or any assistance”, the filmmaker wrote.
Never replied
He said that five months before the movie was screened he wrote to Minister Ramson but he never replied.
“When I got to Guyana, and through external intervention, he met me and told me he has to screen who he would meet. I guess I was not qualified”, Shivraj stated.
“Is what I do not part of culture? Isn’t he the Minister of Culture? I am not writing this to receive a reward or a medal or an award. I have gotten that from the powers outside of Guyana many times and from the people who are appreciative of what I do. Read the hundreds of responses on YouTube, you will get the idea. And there are many other people who have been involved in the movie process that need recognition, like writers Somnauth Narine, Ronald Hollingsworth and Neaz Subhan. And to those behind the scenes like Richard Sanchara and Rajiv Sanchara. Singers Devindra Pooran, Terry Gajraj, and Nadeer Bacchus, and the many actors and actresses.
“Something is terribly wrong when people who promote Guyana and its culture are recognized out of Guyana and their efforts are not promoted or encouraged at home. Are we so foreign minded? Now is the time for introspection and serious analysis. If Guyanese culture is “we own” then we need both government and private businesses to promote the works of our own artistes who are in the forefront of propagating our uniqueness. If we don’t wake up and smell our own Pomeroon
coffee we may find ourselves one day celebrating American Halloween rather than our own Phagwah”, Shivraj warned.
The filmmaker noted that the previous Minister of Culture, Frank Anthony, and former Prime Minister, Sam Hinds always made it their duty to attend the premiere of my movies and that Donald Ramotar also did so when he was President. Other Presidents and opposition leaders, even though invited every time, never showed up. He said that Anthony also helped with transportation on two occasions.
After Gajraj’s complaint on Facebook and a report on it in this newspaper, President Ali reached out to the chutney singer. Gajraj later said: “We had an effusive conversation and he showed why he’s the people’s President. He empathized with me and invited me to reach out to him directly with any concerns. He was understanding and agreed that the issues mentioned need to be addressed”.