St. John Film Society in partnership with Bajo el Sol Gallery will present the film “Paradise Discovered: The Unbreakable Virgin Islanders” as well as a short film from Filmmakers Unite. The films will be screened at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, April 2, at Bajo El Sol Gallery in Mongoose Junction, Cruz Bay. The suggested donation is $5.
For more information, contact Andrea E. Leland at 715-0551 / stjviff@gmail.com
“Paradise Discovered: The Unbreakable Virgin Islanders” is a 60-minute documentary film by St. Thomas journalist and filmmaker Peter Bailey. He will be present for a Q & A following the screening.
Film Synopsis: On Sept. 6, 2017, Hurricane Irma struck St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. The Category 5 storm was the strongest ever recorded in the Atlantic Ocean. Less than two weeks later, Hurricane Maria, another Category 5 storm, struck the already destroyed island paradise.
The tragedy marked the first time in modern history that two Category 5 hurricanes hit the same place in less than two weeks. The film is based on Bailey’s New York Times Op Ed “Has America Forgotten the Virgin Islands,” which he wrote while building a make-shift roof and living without electricity for 90 days. His film brings to life what has been called the worst natural disaster in American history.
“When nature and the rest of the world left us in darkness, we gave each other light,” said Bailey.
Peter Bailey’s Biography
Peter Bailey is an award-winning author, journalist and founder of NiteCap Media, a cutting-edge multi-media company known for producing the critically-acclaimed “NiteCap” conversation series in which Bailey engages in introspective discussions with A-list entertainers, business leaders and other newsmakers.
His first book, “Magic City: Trials of a Native Son,” a memoir on the life of hip hop legend Trick Daddy, with whom he co-authored the book, was praised as being “one of the pop music gems of 2010” by The New York Times. Bailey also made a foray into acting, starring alongside Lynn Whitfield, John Diehl and Keith David in the civil war drama “The North Star” after an award-winning career as a staff writer for Time, Newsweek and The Miami Herald.”
Peter Bailey, born on St Thomas, currently lives in Miami.
Filmmakers Unite:
“La Madre Buena/The Good Mother” (5:35 min.) by Sarah Clift
A Mexican mother embarks upon an epic journey across land and through her politics to find her son’s birthday request, a Donald Trump piñata. Filmmakers Unite: https://filmmakersunite.net
St. John Film Society is supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts, Virgin Island Council on the Arts and St. John Community Foundation.
For more information, contact the St. John Film Society stjviff@gmail.com or visit www.stjohnfilm.com