Bahamian film maker Kareem Mortimer, addresses the audience.
(Eleuthera, Bahamas) – The Preston Albury High School Art department teamed up with the Eleuthera Arts and Cultural Centre (EACC), Rotaract Club of Eleuthera and acclaimed Bahamian Film maker Kareem Mortimer for a new kind of exhibit at the center. The exhibit focused on the issue of human smuggling and its impact on the people involved.
Human smuggling is defined by the United Nations as “the facilitation, transportation, attempted transportation or illegal entry of a person or persons across an international border, in violation of one or more countries’ laws”.
Grades 10 and 11 students pose for a photograph with Mortimer and members of La Troupe Culturelle, a Haitian cultural arts group based in Rock Sound. From left to right: Sidney Johnson, Will Simmons ( Teacher) Nathaniel Jean, Travjuan Allyene, Tagarron Knowles, Kareem Mortimer, Jet Lee Johnson, Ivernel Honerat, Vilnert Bathazart
Students in grades 11 and 12 watched Mortimer’s award winning film “Passage” which deals with the intense experience of Haitian refugees risking their lives to seek opportunity in The Bahamas and United States. The students, under the guidance of Art teacher and Rotaractor Will Simmons, then created works that depicted the parts of the film that impacted them the most. The works were then displayed in the EACC at a public screening of Mortimer’s film attended by Mortimer himself, who answered questions about his career and the film making process for both the students and a captivated adult audience.
Simone Kemp of Rock Sound portrays the drowning of a migrant thrown overboard
Mortimer shared his personal journey into the world of film making with students emphasizing the important role local filmmakers can play in sharing the stories of The Bahamas and the people who live here. Mortimer acknowledged that the work is challenging and that there are many obstacles but also told how rewarding it is when one can tell stories that have a true impact and reach a global audience. Mortimer has just received funding to develop a feature film based on “Passage” and his film Children of God was distributed in 24 countries world wide.
The event was attended by a true cross section of persons including members of a local Haitian performance group based in Rock Sound, Rotaractors, EACC volunteers, students and their families. Students expressed how learning what people in other countries go through to search for a better life taught them to better appreciate the things they have. The Rotaract club of Eleuthera, in recognition of Rotary International’s “World Understanding Month” adopted the project. During this time Rotarians and Rotaractors worked to promote global peace and understanding.
By Will Simmons
