Jamaicans Top Black Screen Icon Awards

Jamaicans top black screen icon awards. Two of Jamaica’s most notable sons: playwright Trevor Rhone and actor Jimmy Cliff were recognised by 100 Black Screen Icons in an Online Poll.

The 100 Black Screen Icon Online Poll recognised Trevor Rhone’s who was voted 3^rd All Time Black Screen Icon behind Sidney Poitier the first black superstar and two-times Oscar winner Denzel Washington who copped the first place for his work over the last 40 years. His catalogue includes The Harder They Come (1973) that features Jimmy Cliff and Milk and Honey (1988), which won the 1989 Genie Award for Best Original Screenplay. His most recent work is One Love (2003). (Adopted from 100 Black Screen Icons)

During a recent interview Rhone expressed his elatedness and his belief that that the achievement is a symbol of the possibilities that exist in the third world.

 Which film contributed most to you being voted 3^rd place?

“The four films contributed. They speak of the possibilities to black people globally. They are all so different and affected by different times in the experience.”

Did you always know what you wanted to do?

“I did not see myself getting involved with movies at all. I saw myself as a person involved in theatre. I knew I wanted to recite, sing, dance and play music.”

When did you make the decision that you wanted to be a playwright?

At age six I heard my father recite a poem and “I landed in this amazing new place of possibilities and that hasn’t changed since.”

Who or what then was your motivation?

“There were mostly obstacles in the form of people, who said ‘nonsense, foolishness, wasting your life, wasting your time” but seeing Sidney Poitier Dorothy Dandridge had some influence.

Do you have a favourite place to write?

 “I enjoy writing at home in bed, now it’s the computers but its just not the same.”

How do you feel about the progress of the local film industry?

The work that is being produced is very poor because no one feels they should consult someone with more experience.

“After Harder they come there should have been so much more coming on the market.”

“Usually one is so in love with the possibilities of a new film, that one gives endlessly of ones time and thought to a possibly new product.”

How different is Jamaica from when you did The Harder They Come?

“Jamaica was going through what I call a real renaissance of spirit, there was just no fear in the society, fear of doing things and believing that I am and everything is possible – that’s the worst thing that could have happen ... it has gone to sleep.”

How would develop the local industry with J$5?

“I would start writers workshops, employ a some really good-experienced people to teach about the development of scripts and understanding story structure. I think that would be money well spent and it will keep returning itself.”

Do you have any current projects?

I am now working on a TV series for America.

What do you think is the solution to some of our problems?

“There is so little creativity here. There are exciting solutions to our problems mainly among them economic problems which confronts the country but without that imaginative side of self you’re dead in the water.”

What is your message to young playwrights?

“As a writer once said and it is so true; writing really is writing, rewriting and rewriting. You just keep doing it until you get as right as is humanly possible.”

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