Bahamian film 'RAIN' continues to jump from accolade to accolade, and is now well on the way to mainstream viewing as writer & director Maria Govan's award-winning feature will appear on the Showtime network at 8pm on the 18th and 19th of February and again on the 20th at 6:15pm.
One of the first indigenous feature films to come out of the Bahamas, RAIN, featuring Renel Brown as the title character and in her first film role, steers us away from the simplistic perception of a postcard paradise, instead taking us 'over the hill' into the challenged life of a young local girl determined to get to know the mother who abandoned her as a young child.
Shot in a style that combines gritty realism, a bold and unforgettable colour palette, soulful Bahamian music, and the use of local actors alongside seasoned pros, RAIN takes us on a journey into the heart of a child, into the pulse of a country and the spirit of its people.
Grand Bahama Children’s Home executive committee members Carron Smith (far left) and Sarah Kirkby (far right) pose with organiser Daphne Ormerod (second from left), ‘RAIN’ producer, writer and director Maria Govan (centre), and the actor in the title role, newcomer Renel Brown (second from right). (Photo: Brent Bethel / Keen i Media Ltd)
‘RAIN’ producer, writer and director Maria Govan (right) responds to questions from the audience, (Photo: Brent Bethel / Keen i Media Ltd)
FREEPORT, GRAND BAHAMA, OCTOBER 25, 2009 – Hundreds turned out to Regency Theatre in Freeport Friday evening to the gala showing of the Bahamian film ‘RAIN’, an event organised to raise much-needed funds for Grand Bahama Children’s Home.
The crowd was treated to ‘RAIN’, the compelling drama on film written, produced and directed by Bahamian filmmaker Maria Govan, who was present for the event. The audience cheered as the film’s credits rolled, thrilled to see such a high quality film created in the Bahamas.
The actor in the title role, Renel Brown, also made a special guest appearance at the theatre. Director Govan and actor Brown took questions from the audience following the film and then joined the crowds in the theatre’s newly-renovated lobby for photographs and to enjoy fine wine, chocolates and hors d’oeuvres. One of the first indigenous feature films to come out of the Bahamas, ‘RAIN’ steers away from the simplistic perception of a postcard paradise, instead going “over the hill” in the Bahamas’ capital city, Nassau, and into the challenged life of a young local girl determined to get to know the mother who abandoned her as a young child.
L-R: Renee Brown, mother of Renel Brown; Renel Brown, the actor in the title role of 'RAIN'; writer, producer and director of 'RAIN' Maria Govan; event organiser Daphne Ormerod; enthusiastic supporter Maitland Cates; and mother of Maria Govan, Irene Govan. (Photo: Brent Bethel / Keen i Media Ltd)
Renel Brown, the actor who made her acting debut in the title role of the Bahamian film 'RAIN' poses with Bahamian fellow-actor and employee at the Grand Bahama Children's Home.
The audience was moved by the gripping story and gritty realism of the production. Many of those in attendance spoke of the high production values and depth of the storyline. Of particular note was the excellent portrayal given by Renel Brown in her first film role. More than six thousand dollars were raised to support the Grand Bahama Children’s Home, which provides a safe and compassionate refuge for dozens of local children in need.
The audience attending the showing of the Bahamian film 'RAIN' were thrilled with the story, performances and quality of the production. Many of those shared their views with the Keen i Media production who was on hand shooting a news story for Grand Bahama TV (www.GrandBahamaTV.com). Keen i Media handled all marketing, public relations and technical production for the event. Shown here: Erik RUssell, president of Keen i Media, interviews S.L. Sheppard (centre), Bahamian director and playwright (whose play, 'Trapped in Marriage' recently ran at Regency Theatre), and Rico Thompson (right), camera operator and production coordinator at Keen i Media. (Photo: Brent Bethel / Keen i Media Ltd)
In addition to the support of those in attendance, the event was sponsored by many local businesses, including: FOCOL, Grand Bahama Port Authority, Grand Bahama Power Co, Kelly's Home Centre, Star General Insurance, ColinaImperial Insurance, Mechanical Engineering Ltd, Waugh Construction, Pisces Seafood Restaurant, Neptune's Cocktail Lounge, Dolly Madison Home Centre, Paint Fair, SMITTY'S of George Town Exuma, Keen i Media Ltd, Barefoot Marketing, Grand Bahama TV, Grand Bahama Info, Seventeen Shop, Island Java, Zorba’s Greek Restaurant, Wide World Travel, La Belle Beauty Salon, Cool 96FM and Love 97FM.
FREEPORT, GRAND BAHAMA, OCTOBER 22, 2009 – Theatregoers, film enthusiasts and Grand Bahama residents in general will be treated to a rare opportunity this week when “RAIN”, the film by Bahamian writer and director Maria Govan, will be shown for one night only at Regency Theatre on Friday, October 23.
One of the first indigenous feature films to come out of the Bahamas, “RAIN”, featuring Renel Brown as the title character and in her first film role, steers us away from the simplistic perception of a postcard paradise, instead taking us “over the hill” into the challenged life of a young local girl determined to get to know the mother who abandoned her as a young child.
Shot in a style that combines gritty realism, a bold and unforgettable colour palette, soulful Bahamian music, and the use of local actors alongside seasoned pros, “RAIN” takes us on a journey into the heart of a child, into the pulse of a country and the spirit of its people.
“RAIN” features a wonderful mix of fresh faces and veteran actors. Aside from Brown, there is Nicki Micheaux (who plays Rain’s mother, Glory); Micheaux has appeared in HBO’s Six Feet Under, Soul Food and Lincoln Heights. She has also taken roles in major American television shows, including The West Wing, NYPD Blue, ER, The Practice, City of Angels, and Desperate Housewives.
Veteran actor Irma P. Hall, in the role of Rain’s grandmother Rosalie
Irma P. Hall, in the role of Rain’s grandmother Rosalie, has an acting career spanning more than 35 years, working with such notable talents as Ron Howard, Tom Hanks and James Woods. She has appeared in a countless number of motion pictures including Beloved, Midnight In the Garden of Good and Evil and 2004’s The Ladykillers.
CCH Pounder
CCH Pounder (Ms. Adams in “RAIN”) has appeared in over twenty feature films including Prizzi’s Honor, Postcards from the Edge, Face/Off, Robocop 3, and End of Days. Her television credits include The Shield, The X-Files, and she portrayed Winnie Mandela in FX’s original movie Redemption, for which she received Best Supporting Actress, TV from the 2005 FAAAF/Black Reel Awards.
“RAIN” has been recognised for its outstanding quality at film festivals including the Bahamas International Film Festival (Audience Award 2008), the Toronto Film Festival and the Palm Springs International Film Festival.
Proceeds raised from the event will go towards the needs of those at the children’s home in Freeport.
The film will show at 8:00 p.m., with the question and answer session with the director and lead actor immediately following the showing in the theatre. That will be followed by a reception, with wine, fine chocolate and hors d’oeuvres.
Tickets are $20 and available at Seventeen Shop, Zorba’s Greek Restaurant, Wide World Travel and La Belle Beauty Salon.
Freeport, Grand Bahama - ' RAIN' the Bahamian film written and directed by Maria Govan will be screening in Grand Bahama on Friday, October 23rd at the Regency Theatre at 8pm.
Proceeds will benefit the Grand Bahama Children's Home and the Director, Maria Govan and lead actor Renel Naomi Brown, who plays the title role will be at the event.
The gala event will include wine, fine chocolate and hors d'oeuvres, and is being organised by Daphne Cates and is graciously supported by many sponsors and individuals that believe in supporting the Bahamian film industry.
Tickets are available now for only $20 at:
* Seventeen Shop
* Zorba's Greek Restaurant
* Wide World Travel
* La Belle Beauty Salon
SYNOPSIS OF 'RAIN'
Rain is a young Bahamian girl who, after her grandmother's death chooses to take an epic voyage by mail boat, leaving behind her very simple and sheltered life on the rural Ragged Island for the big city of Nassau. She hopes to reconcile with her mother who abandoned her when she was just a toddler; however, her hopes and illusions are shattered one after another as her mother's deviant and destructive lifestyle becomes evident to her.
Nassau's bustling harbor, larger than life hotels, crazed noise, traffic, and hostile temperament mirror nothing of the quaint, peaceful farming and fishing community she left behind.
The charcoal black woman who meets her is proud in posture, bony and scarred but does not resemble the photograph Rain holds and has so long treasured. This hard mouthed woman is Glory, her long-lost mother. Glory takes Rain into the valley of Nassau's urban ghetto – an area known as the Graveyard – a small community of clapboard shacks with no toilet facilities or running water, inhabited by gamblers, drug users, and prostitutes, all enslaved by a culture of addiction. This godless place is to be Rain's new home, and life, as she has known it, begins to transform darkly.
Judged by others because of her mother's appearance and demeanor, Rain is confronted with the cruel prejudices of the world and is alienated by her peers and teachers. It is not until the school track coach and her rebellious neighbor Magdalene befriend her that her situation changes. With her God given gift of speed, Rain not only makes the track team, but also challenges the star athlete, Keva. This young woman becomes Rain's antagonist when Rain shows promise for regional recognition and wins the coach's dedication and affection. Rain's real antagonist, however, is her mother, and running becomes a metaphor that reflects the spirit – and the struggles – of both central characters.
Rain tells the story of a young girl's voyage of discovery – to find herself and her place in the world. Confronted by a mother she does not know and an environment she dreads, Rain must catch her stride in the only place that matters, the spiritual ground deep within her. Learn more about Rain HERE
Related articles about Rain or director, Maria Govan:
Maria Govan, (Writer/Director)
A Bahamian native of Greek and Scottish descent, Maria was actually born in a Miami, Florida hospital due to a series of complications with her mother's pregnancy. Throughout her life, her creative voice has been deeply rooted in a dialogue with her home, the Bahamas.
At eighteen, Maria moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in the movie business. Working as a production assistant on several films in LA, practical experience and absorption of the craft became her primary education. Her passion for directing led her back home where she quickly began to craft her own voice as a visual story teller. Wanting to know more about her people, she began to simply listen to the many stories around her.
In 2000, Maria directed her first film - a documentary entitled Junkanoo: The Heartbeat of a People, (62 mins) which is a celebration of Bahamian culture by exploring the African rooted festival tradition of Junkanoo. Her subsequent work, in 2004, was an intimate look at the shattered lives of three Bahamians living with HIV. That film, Where I'm From: HIV and AIDS in the Bahamas (86 mins) was an official selection at the Bahamas International Film Festival where it received critical acclaim.
Rain marks Maria's entrance into narrative film. It is one of many stories from her unique and cultural homeland she hopes to share with the world.
