By Mel Cooke, Freelance Writer
Montague
WESTERN BUREAU:
MASANI MONTAGUE had an uncanny experience when she went to Lime Cay, scouting locations for the planned film Danger to The Public.
She met a man who had stowed away on ships thee times and been caught and deported from the United States (U.S.) each time. Undaunted, he was all set to make his fourth try, a la 'Rhygin', as played by Jimmy Cliff in the classic Harder They Come.
It may be another uncanny coincidence that Jimmy Cliff received an Order of Merit (O.M.) for his contribution to the arts just two days ago.
However, unlike the classic 'shoot em up and sing along', Danger To The Public will be looking the other way, at the life of 'Johnny', who is deported to Jamaica and has to hustle his way without a support system.
PRODUCTION
"We have Jamaicans being deported from these places in bulk," Ms. Montague said.
'These places' are Canada, the U.S. and England, which will all feature in the film, which is slated to run for close to two hours as a full-length production.
Music will play a very strong role in the movie, in more ways than one. The soundtrack will feature artistes such as Natty Pablo, Finnigan and Rankin, Sugar Minott, Sister Julian, Inifer and Lady P, who contributes the title track to the flick. In addition, with filming set to begin in Canada in September and Jamaica in November, a trio of concerts across Canada will be held from September 19 - 20.
Finnigan and Rankin, Inifer and Sugar Minott will be part of the concerts, which will be filmed for possible inclusion in the movie. Finnigan and Rankin, who will be playing 'Rankin' and 'Jango' respectively, will also play roles in the movie.
Ms. Montague, who hosts the two-hour radio show 'Radio Plays' on CHYR 105.5 FM weekly, has a major concern with the Jamaican music industry, which may just find its way into Danger To The Public. Payola. "It does not work that way in Canada," she said firmly.
Apart from Lime Cay, she has also looked at Port Royal, Montego Bay, Portland and Half-Way Tree, the last set to get top billing, especially the area around Rainbow Skateland.
DEPORTEES
Covering 1980 to 2003, Danger To The Public is an expansion on a book, Dread Talk, which she wrote for her first degree in Creative Writing in 1994. Her Masters degree is in Environmental Studies, concentrating on deportees.
Dread Talk and by extension the film - hits very close to home. The book is dedicated to all the innocent victims of violence and one in particular her brother Clarence, who was killed in 1980.
"It starts with the 1980 general election," Ms. Montague said. "It covers politics, drugs and music, but it concentrates on deportees."
