Independent Film "Joseph" Promotes African-Caribbean Diaspora in Atlanta Premier
February 18, 2020 - The African-Caribbean diaspora was on full display during the Atlanta premier of independent film “Joseph”.
Joseph is a story of a wealthy family of doctors torn apart between the Caribbean and Africa, but brought together by the discoveries of their ancestral history.
“There’s a powerful story for all of us in the diaspora,” said Executive Producer Maxine Mclean.
Over 150 community members, students, and media gathered at Stonecrest Library for the independent film premier hosted by the Stonecrest Film Foundation.
Following the screening, the cast and crew received a standing ovation and fielded comments and questions from the audience.
“It’s really fulfilling to hear the comments from everyone,” said director and producer Marcia Weekes adding, “When we realize people have received the message that you’re trying to communicate, it’s quite fulfilling.”
Weekes, a native Jamaican, and her crew highlighted the importance of making an authentic pan-national film.
“Hollywood always makes things through their eyes and the stories never told through our own eyes,” said Marietta Carter-Narcisse, Producer and Makeup artist for Joseph adding, “I think it’s important for our stories to be told from our own eyes.”
The independent project was filmed in Ghana, Jamaica and Barbados over the span of 14 months.
Midway through filming production was threatened to be suspended due to finances. However cast and crew, lead by three Caribbean women, would not allow their story to go untold. “Sometimes you walk blindly and just know that you can put your foot down and there’s a solid floor beneath you,” said Carter-Narcisse, “That’s what a lot of this was.”
Joseph’s premier in Atlanta was in partnership with the launch of the Stonecrest Film Foundation, a non-profit that aims to train individuals for the film and music industry in Georgia.
Sandra Lewis-Glass, Founder and CEO of the foundation, strives to educate students in all areas of production so they can be competitive in the industry stating, “I just want to show people it’s possible.”
Joseph will be shown in limited AMC theaters throughout Atlanta, New York and Washington through March 12th. Check cinema postings for dates and times.
Check out the trailer here.