By: Chaïra Flanders
Basseterre, St. Kitts, November 2nd , 2020 (ZIZ News): Locally Directed Movie “A Rose Between Thorns” has won itself two international awards
During a brief interview with ZIZ on Monday, Director, Nigel Tru Capo Lewis shared that one of the awards the movie “A Rose Between Thorns” received was for “Best Direction” at the Fatherhood Image Film Festival in New York.
He then spoke of another award that the film received and said that the recognition it is receiving is highly unexpected.
“We won a special mention award for achievements in film making at the Austrian film festival that was in early October. Our second award was “Best Direction” at the Fatherhood Image Film Festival. These awards actually came as a surprise to me because I didn’t even know that we were entered into the Fatherhood Image Film Festival. I actually got an email on Friday saying congratulations on winning this award and I was like, what? So it just kind of caught me off-guard. The Special Mention Award again also caught me off-guard because I was editing I think at the time and my producer messaged me and said you won an award bro, wow crazy, you know. So it is actually a good feeling”
The film made its debut on the big screen at Caribbean Cinemas during an official premiere on October 22.
Many people including Minister of Entertainment and Talent Development, Hon. Akilah Byron Nisbett, former Minister of Youth, Hon. Shawn Richards and current Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, Hon Jonel Powell showed up in their numbers over the weekend to view the film.
Lewis said that he is pleased with the support that the film has been receiving in less than a week of its debut.
Meanwhile, Lead actress in the film, Roberitine Webbe said that being able to contribute towards the film with such a heavy message has been humbling.
She also explained that playing the character Rose made her step out of her comfort zone.
“ It was a humbling experience because I guess the film caught us off guard because it’s been about 4 years in the making and so when he told me that it was going to be premiered I was nervous because Roberitine is not an actor, I am more of a dance than an actor but I was happy that persons loved it because you know I am awaiting criticism based on my performance maybe, but everything was very positive and so it was very rewarding that locals especially went out and see the film and they understood the message that was there and you know we are now paying more attention and valuing the arts within the federation”, she said.
She said that the film shares a thought provoking message that sheds light on a story about a father who is a prominent figure in society sexually assaulting his own child.
Miss Webbe then shared what she feels is the most important message for persons to take from the film and spoke in detail about the effect it has had on persons close to her.
“I want it to end you know, most importantly for persons to stop doing this abuse but also to talk about it because there are so many victims who have even messaged me and told me how much the film influenced them to not feel bad and to more so speak up or speak with individuals who can help them. We should allow for persons to speak up and talk to them more and not just say she’s just doing it because she wants attention because it is a serious issue and you don’t know how it can mess with your mental health or what it can make them do and so that’s what I hope people would start promoting once they have seen the film”, she said.
Meanwhile, Lewis said as a young Director, he hopes that his movie would encourage other creatives to put their ideas into action. He said that he would have never imagined that a film that took just over four years to create in a small island nation like St. Kitts and Nevis would receive such acclaim and would be able to hold its own among larger countries in the film industry.
He then used the opportunity to encourage all residents and citizens in St. Kitts and Nevis to watch the film on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.