“Timeless: A Virgin Islands Love Story,” a captivating feature-length movie, will be available for streaming on Amazon Prime starting Sept. 6, the Department of Tourism announced Friday.
The date holds special significance as it marks the anniversary of Hurricane Irma’s devastating impact on the Virgin Islands. This hurricane deeply affected the lives of many, including the film’s writer, producer and director, Edward La Borde, Jr., according to the press release.
The film was entirely produced and shot in the Virgin Islands, and proudly showcases the talents of Virgin Islanders both in front of and behind the camera. This production caught the attention of multi-platinum recording artist and music producer D’Wayne Wiggins of Tony Toni Tone, who lent his expertise to elevate the movie’s soundtrack and secure a distribution channel. As a result, “Timeless” finds its way to the global audience through Amazon Prime Video, courtesy of the “Oakland Film and TV Company,” the press release stated.
As the director and story writer La Borde, breathes life into “Timeless” with two enthralling love stories, each set in different eras but intriguingly connected. The film follows the tale of Ajuwa, a young Ghanaian warrior who loses her soul mate to the slave trade. Their souls reunite in the present as Malinda Benjamin, a senator in the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Alphonse Walcott, a gifted writer returning home from New York. However, their relationship takes a tumultuous turn when Alphonse falls in love with Bianca, an illegal immigrant from the Dominican Republic. As the past and present intertwine, the true nature of their spiritual connection in this transcendental love triangle is revealed, the release stated.
“Timeless” paints a vivid picture of the territory’s beautiful colors, emotions and culture, with Carnival serving as a significant backdrop that showcases the history and heritage of the island nation and the Caribbean region linked to the African Diaspora, according to the release.
Featuring a stellar cast including K’misha-Victoria Counts, Brummell Germain, Monai Greene, Julien Baa, Sulay Peñalo, Elaine Jacobs, Bianca Castillo, Shanaka Harris, Margarite Aqustine, Laurel Samuel, and Americo Cabrera, “Timeless” promises to leave audiences with a profound appetite for more of La Borde’s artistry.
Speaking on his inspiration for “Timeless,” La Borde shared, “The story started with visions of life in Africa in the 1800s, the true history of enslavement, and an enslaved girl running from the storm. Then I became passionate about telling a love story between a regular guy and a girl who felt ashamed of her circumstances. Inspired by the movie ‘Black Orpheus,’ I created my own tale and connected the parallels through a storyteller and lucid dreams.”
The making of “Timeless” was a three-year-long journey, filmed across 26 locations in the U.S. Virgin Islands, including St. Thomas and St. Croix. The breathtaking natural beauty of America’s Paradise provided the backdrop for the modern-day love story set during the Carnival on St. Thomas. Capturing the essence of the V.I. culture, the movie incorporates music, dance, folklore and colloquial expressions, the press release stated.
The cast, comprising local actors, breathed life into their characters, ensuring cultural authenticity and sensitivity throughout the production. The film’s locations, such as the Whim Museum on St. Croix and the Legislature Building, added depth and production value to the narrative. Notably, the beach scenes were shot at the picturesque Lindqvist Beach on St. Thomas, bringing a touch of realism to the story, the release stated.
The movie’s soundtrack, crafted by D’Wayne Wiggins, adds soulfulness and emotion to the unfolding love story. The film’s music also features an original song titled “Can’t Fight the Feeling,” created by D’Wayne specifically for the film, it said.
“Timeless: A Virgin Islands Love Story” is a heartfelt tribute to the resilience and rich cultural heritage of the Virgin Islands. Audiences worldwide are invited to experience this poignant tale of love and connection when it streams on Amazon Prime starting Sept. 6, according to the release.
Commissioner of Tourism Joseph Boschulte, expressed his excitement about the film, stating, “We are thrilled to see the Virgin Islands showcased in such a captivating production. ‘Timeless’ captures the essence of our islands’ history, culture, and natural beauty, and we look forward to sharing this story with the world.”
For more information about the U.S. Virgin Islands, visit https://www.visitusvi.com/.
